My Frugality Journal...

**rachelMcK** · 07-07-2006, 02:12 PM

I hope this is allowed, if not, just delete

Anyway,

To introduce, my name is Rachel. I'm 22, getting married very soon. I live in a very bad neighborhood and in a crappy apartment building with my very soon-to-be husband. We're saving to buy a house!!

We're both new to frugality. I came from a wealthy home, he came from a not-so-wealthy home, but because he was pretty much an only child (his brother is much older than he is) he got what he wanted and is accustomed to it. This is all very new.

In addition to that, I'm also in my last year of university which has created quite a large amount of debt. DF also went to university, but never finished, and he still has almost $10,000 in debt. We both have maxed out our credit cards to buy a new car after the other one kicked the bucket.

I work alot better if I write everything down, which is the purpose of this journal. The occasional encouraging statement from all you wonderful people can't hurt either

So here goes...

This month, we have decided to use cash only. I got birthday money from my parents and gramma, which was about $150. I put $120 of it in our cash jars, which is for food, laundry (at the mat), pets, gas, and entertainment for the week. The other $30 went towards buying a dress (on sale) for my boss's wedding on Saturday (and my own, wow, a wedding dress for $16..hehe), a rack for hanging clothes up to dry on my balcony, and a treat of McDonalds for Dinner last night, though I feel guilty about that one even though we used a 2 for 1 coupon we got in the mail. We have a few dollars left so I'm going to buy clothes pins at the dollar store.

I got paid today, and put $100 on my credit card. When DF gets paid, we're gonna put $100 on his, and $50 each on our student loans.

On a really nice note, I'm a short person and I've learned that I can't reach the top cupboard without exerting quite a bit of energy. Can you guess where my debit and credit cards are???

Thanks for reading!!! I'll post more soon!!!

**frugalfarmwife** · 07-07-2006, 02:20 PM

Welcome! Congrats on the upcoming wedding and on starting your frugal journey, there will be up days and down days but the group here really helps keep me in focus and frugal.

Don't feel guilty about the Micky D's dinner, you saved 1/2 and did it as a treat, just don't make it a daily thing, lol.

This place IS great to keep in focus, and I look forward to reading more about your journey.

kj

**rachelMcK** · 07-07-2006, 02:23 PM

Thanks KJ!!

I've noticed that everyone on here is so encouraging, and man do I need the encouragement!!!

**Buckeye5** · 07-07-2006, 02:33 PM

Hello and wlecome, COngrats on your soon to be wedding day. It sounds like you are off to a good start, just by being aware of frugality and the necessary lifestyle changes that need to begin. I wished I had been that aware of frugality at your age instead of the age I am now. Oh well, better late than never. Look forward to reading your posts.

**rachelMcK** · 07-07-2006, 02:40 PM

Thanks Buckeye!

I actually thought I was starting late!!! But I guess I'm still at the age where I live very much in the moment (a habit I'm trying to break!).

I noticed you had a garage sale on the 17th...did that go well?

**frugalfarmwife** · 07-07-2006, 02:53 PM

Oh goodness you're doing GREAT starting at this age, just stick with it! I was in GREAT financial shape when younger but hubby and I hit the "gotta haves" and it did us in! (neither of us could ever say no to the other and we had the trucks, land, horses, tractors, etc to prove it) Now we're paying for it and trying NOT to kick ourselves to often.

Just start with babysteps and don't forget to occasionally reward yourselfs, you deserve it

kj

**VanVivCam** · 07-07-2006, 02:57 PM

Good luck to you. I too look forward to reading your journal.

**hollyhill** · 07-07-2006, 06:00 PM

It is great that you are starting so young! If you use the habits you learn here all your life you will be doing VERY well.....

I learned frugality when I was young as well (during my univ. days) and it enabled us to buy a house, and allowed me to homeschool my children and survive my dh returning to school for two years......all because the only debt we carried was our mortgage and the occaisional car loan (which we paid off as quickly as we could)..........

When youare both working and combining your saleries and if you apply your new frugal habits you should beable to pay off existing debt quickly....in fact if you can get in the habit of always surviving on one income and paying off debt/mortgage or saving the other then you will be set for whatever life throws your way......layoffs, babies...etc.....Good luck.

**AmyBoz** · 07-07-2006, 06:42 PM

Great! I think it is wonderful the way you have a plan and are ready to implement it! Good for you! Welcome to the village, and I look forward to reading about your continuing journey through frugality!

**Buckeye5** · 07-07-2006, 07:52 PM

Rachel, my garage is going to be July 14th, I am starting a week off of work beginning Saturday. I will let you know how I do, I would like to make 250-$300, that would be nice.

**Mom23boys** · 07-07-2006, 08:08 PM

Hello and welcome. I can't wait to read more about your frugal journey.

**marei** · 07-07-2006, 11:27 PM

Hi and welcome from Canada. Really looking forward to reading about your frugal journey and people on this board so willing to help - lots of good advice. I love being frugal and look on it as a challenge rather than feeling deprived. Get the right mind-set and the rest is easy.

**rachelMcK** · 07-08-2006, 06:57 AM

Thanks Everyone!! Wow, already, so much encouragment

I'm already doing pretty well. I have found myself wanting to spend money (books and cosmetics are my downfall) and then, when I think about it just a little more, I usually end up telling myself I don't need it. Its amazing how the mind-set has already started to kick in. To bad it isn't for DF, he spent $14 on a chicken lunch

I explained to him that it just isn't worth it, considering I can spend .99 to make dinner if I wanted...lol. He knew it was wrong because he paid for it using his chequing account so I wouldn't see it, but ended up going into his overdraft, which means the chicken lunch actually cost him close to $25 with fees...men...

**rachelMcK** · 07-09-2006, 03:58 PM

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend!

Mine was fine, except we went alittle overboard with spending

It always happens when DF and I spend the weekend away from each other so we don't keep each other in check. He went fishing and spent $40 on gas (which was ok cause that was budgetted), but also spent $40 on food and drink (he was staying at a cabin and had to bring his own food). I went to a wedding, I was doing good, even got a new dress (that was saved for), for only $20. But, because I expected to spend more, I went into spending overtime because i had more money. Of course I spent that, and then some...

Ouch. Only $50 overboard, but still...I know these days will come but temptation is hard to battle.

How do you all deal/cope with temptation?

Oh well, a new week begins and hopefully things will get better!

**Libby** · 07-10-2006, 07:02 PM

Rachel - welcome to the village!

Congrats on wanting to start saving - thats the first step. The second is the hardest, to actually follow your 'plan' and actually be frugal. Dont be discouraged if you dont jump into super frugal mode right away....you need to try out different methods/ideas yourself and tailor them so that they work for you. What may work for 2 others may not work for another 4 - its all personal preference. Baby steps. You can do it!

What I've learned to do - via being super frugal - is to preplan or presave for events or things that need to be bought. Not necessarily an emergency fund but if you know its coming up, you'll have saved up enough $ to buy all you need ahead of time. Its a WONDERFUL feeling knowing that you dont have to charge it NOR go into debt for it. << thats how I fight temptation, Id rather feel self sufficent and proud first! But sometimes a lil reward doesnt hurt either!

Hope all your wedding stuff has been planned out - thats pretty tough in itself!

All the best!
Shorty