Living Frugally in the New Year

**AmyBoz** · 12-13-2007, 04:04 PM

I just bumped up an old post of CJ's because I remember it being such an inspiration to me when I first read it. I know it's a stickied post, but I'm hopeful that others will read it as we all begin to think of how we can possibly be more frugal in the New Year.

I know that, personally, I have fallen off the frugal wagon in a big way. I've let myself fall into those traps that I've always preached about:

We get pizza every Friday night
I don't line dry
I run the dishwasher every night
I sometimes go a few weeks without looking at the coupons

There are more, but I don't feel the need to publicly expose my shame.

Anyway, I've decided that it's time to take control of the reins again. This is partly due to the fact that our 3 year ARM on our mortgage is up and our interest rate just rose and so we are now paying $250 more a month on our mortgage than we were before. Add to that the fact that I start school again in January (I'm going back for my Principal Certificate), and we just got the bill for my first class and it's $1700, and you can see why I'm feeling some financial pressure.

So, I'm going to be doing some brainstorming and planning over the next few weeks, and I hope to be sharing that with you. I've reread CJ's post (yes, and the 258 replies) and have already begun to feel re-inspired. I'm thinking of ways that I can cut costs and use what we have more creatively. I continue to read all of your posts and tips and to be inspired by those as well. I think that my 3 year old is on board because just last week he decided he was done with Pull-Ups and has been wearing big boy underwear (successfully) for a week now. Right there, we've saved at least $10 a week.

So, wish me luck and keep talking about your own money saving successes. Every story I read is another step toward my own financial future.

Go me!

**anna021** · 12-13-2007, 05:07 PM

The best of luck to you! I have not fallen off the frugal wagon, but I know I can do better. I have a year left to pay on this house, and by that time I want us to be completely debt free. It's also a time where my DH is beginning to talk about retiring, probably in the next 3-4 years. We have really worked on doing as many of the big projects that the house needed, like replacing windows, a new boiler and stairs for the back deck. I've always had the hope that our "golden" years would be as carefree as possible, but with prices for fuel, food, and heating oil rising as they are, I wonder if this is just a dream that is going to be far from reality. So.... the short of it is I will continue to watch my spending, use what I have before buying, and always look for the best deals I can. I hope everyone here has a healthy and safe, happy new year!

**Nantahala** · 12-13-2007, 05:20 PM

Amy, I can join you! I've fallen off the wagon big time since we moved last March. I need to get back to cooking at home daily, eating out as an occasional treat, decluttering and not bringing anything new into the house, line drying, walking when we can... there is a LOT I can get back to doing.

**watchingpennies** · 12-13-2007, 06:43 PM

It really is all about habit isn't it? I get on a roll and feel good about my frugalness and then I let go a little (a takeout meal here and there) then I let go a little more (turn up the heat a bit) and then a little more (buy some new clothes because I work hard and really "need" them) and before I know it......I am out of my frugal ways. I look forward to getting some new ideas from everyone of some "painless" ways to be frugal.

**Mom23boys** · 12-13-2007, 09:23 PM

Amy! I have been thinking about you lately. I have fallen off the frugal wagon myself. This year has not been as great as it should have been. With DS#1 joining the Marines, I seemed to have spent more money on flights than I would have normally done. We, as a family, have flown to see him once, drove from Texas to NC to see him once, I have flown him back and forth twice, and flown his GF out once to visit. WHEW! That all adds up fast!! I guess it is because I miss him! I also had a stressful fall semester in college. I let the frugal ways slip because I was trying to focus more on my schooling than saving. We seemed to eat out more because it seemed like I was always studying or listening to lectures and was too busy to cook......likely excuse! I know if I would have planned my meals better, we would have eaten our meals at home.

I promise to do better next year!! I am going to plan better and try to stay focused on savings! I will have to go read CJ's old post as well to get inspired to save!!

I am going to jump back on the bandwagon with you Amy. I am glad you are back!!

**mikandmari** · 12-13-2007, 10:09 PM

I have lots of room for improvement too. I plan on running a tight ship around here after the new year!

I need to reduce my debt, that is the big goal for 2008!!

**frugalchick** · 12-13-2007, 10:59 PM

Great idea! I am already working on ideas for 2008.........can do better than we did this year.

**monkeymia** · 12-14-2007, 04:24 AM

Ive only just started with the budgetting, frugal living so I will be reading more and getting more ideas.

**Hardy1** · 12-14-2007, 05:13 AM

Is the sticky post called Living frugally in the New Year?? I can't find it.
H E L P
It isn't rags ro riches is it? I've been searching for that one lately because I love it and lo and behold it's here today!!
W

**Hardy1** · 12-14-2007, 05:26 AM

Ignore my last message - I know who CJ is now and am on p5 of the thread!! I can't believe how timely this is since I was searching for it just a day or so ago
W

**Daisygirl** · 12-14-2007, 05:36 AM

I'm with you. I got a great new job and a raise and things are better, although still tight. The silly thing is, had I stuck to my hardcore frugality, things would not be tight and I would have money in the bank right now!

I am dissappointed in myself too. I agree - 2008 will be my most frugal year ever, and I intend to start 2009 with a well-funded savings account!

**dwallyfam** · 12-14-2007, 06:53 AM

I am on board with this one. Since DH finally got a job we haven't been as frugal as we should be. Granted I have ut some money aside but it could be more (LOTS MORE). So back to the black belt of frugality

**Holly** · 12-14-2007, 08:01 AM

Thank You Amy...

**birthgeek** · 12-14-2007, 12:53 PM

I'm committing to the same thing for 2008! I've baby #3 on the way, which means I won't be taking clients of my own for births for much of the year. I'm hoping to find the time and means to make more of my book biz to help close that gap! We've consolidated most of our debts and now we want to knock them out, too! I'm also taking a much more simplified view to our life and home, so we're aiming for big changes around here....

Off to see if I can figure out which thread you're referring to by "CJ"...?