Frugal Practices That Have Fallen By The Wayside

**TheRootedNomad** · 03-26-2008, 07:48 AM

There are several frugal things I cycle on. I do them, know they are effective, and then stop doing them. I pay more attention to them when I absolutely HAVE to and/or when I have more available time. When things start to get hectic or money isn't quite as tight these things fall by the wayside. Anybody else find this is the case with them too?? If so, what are the things that fall by the wayside for you??

Mine are:
THE DRYER - by far the biggest culprit
baking bread from scratch
taking my time in the grocery to really coupon and plan a little better
watching water consumption
watching electricity/gas consumption
eating out more frequently (which is still only a couple times a month even when it's bad)

With prices continuing to jump I know I need to get back to these.
I'm going to start with THE DRYER and the grocery. When these are back under control I'll focus on the utilities.

**Holly** · 03-26-2008, 08:17 AM

I use the dryer way to much in the summer. ( I have arthritis in my arms and its hard to hang clothes on the line some days, but I know this summer I'll have to do it pain or not )
Need to be able to get to the store completely by myself with my coupons and sales more organized ( if someone else is with me i always have to hurry )
Guess theres always just a litle more we can do.
Thanks for this thread...

**Tango** · 03-26-2008, 09:27 AM

There are definately things that I have let slide for the last while. I need to start doing them again. Here's some:
-cooking from scratch (have already started again)
-lights out completely during the day
-couponing
-getting free samples
- starting in april I will try and dry some clothes on a rack inside with the window open since I live in a condo.
-not eating out
-menu planning
-making due with what I have
-cut down water usage (not sure how yet but this bill is out of hand)
____________________________
Krissy

**JohnP** · 03-26-2008, 10:28 AM

Walking to work
Reusing ziplock bags
Using cloth diapers
Handwashing my clothes
Ironing
Cooking at home

**mombottoo** · 03-26-2008, 10:33 AM

I am definitely guilty!!! I use my dryer all the time...when my kids were living home I had a clothes line and a dryer. During that time of my life I tended to use the clothes line weather permitting.

For me there are just certain conveniences I am not willing to give up...and my dryer is one of them LOL.

**lilk** · 03-26-2008, 10:36 AM

I total agree with you, I've been slacking to.
We need to use up leftovers and quit wasting food. I've been working on that this week. Eating out too much. Planning meals and using coupons.
I need to get clothes line back up.

**mmy2grls** · 03-26-2008, 11:36 AM

I mainly concentrate on using coupons when money is tight, I should do it all the time.

**joyofsix** · 03-26-2008, 12:03 PM

I have those areas too

Dryer-IF it ever gets warm I'll be able to hang the heavy stuff. I just can't wait two days for jeans to dry in winter.

Driving- I need to skip some 'fun' stuff if it involves driving.

Treats-If I have just one kid with me, I tend to indulge them with a pop or candy bar. It's a little thing but it matters.

Milk-I know there need to be limits but I tend to let them drink all they want.

**DJ1972** · 03-26-2008, 02:54 PM

The thing I have let slip is eating out (I drive all day so it's so easy just to run through a drive through),oh and the concession stands at sporting events (have done better at this, started bringing snacks and water with me).

**missyali** · 03-26-2008, 03:03 PM

I need to get better about my water usage. I use WAY too much. I also need to plan some no spend days. At least two days per month where we just stay home; no driving or anything.

**julieb** · 03-26-2008, 03:14 PM

This winter I kept forgetting to turn the heat down when we left for work. I also tend to wash on my days off and I don't always have full loads which is just silly to do. I always think I need to get the chore done....lol.

**itlw8** · 03-27-2008, 11:39 AM

I drink way too much diet pepsi just by fixing some ice tea it would cut mine in half and totally cut out dh just by having it ready after work.

eating out... guilty we eat out because we have the money but it would be better if I stuck it on a bill or in savings granted we eat cheap.

dryer it is winter so that is out for me but I plan on replacing the clothes line for the summer ( lost one pole when they took a tree down.

and my problem shopping at garage sales and auctions... I could save myself into bankruptsy

**suzysaver** · 03-27-2008, 12:27 PM

I have for the last month been trying to turn some of those things into habit.
Get up and wash and hang clothes every morning...even in winter I hang clothes in my spare room and have a small fan on. I most recently went to the extreme in electricty cutting. We have a breaker box right in the kitchen (very handy) I switch almost everything off when I leave for work (except the refridgerator and water heater). When I'm not using the stove or oven it stays off and so on. At first I thought this would be a real pain, but it became habit in a couple of weeks and I am waiting for the electric bill to see if it's worth the effort. I do understand about slacking and this is why I have been working so hard on it lately. I need to start another new habit for this next month..just not sure what to add to the routine.

**schellie69** · 03-27-2008, 12:42 PM

I use my dryer in winter, but with warm weather coming need to starting hang up clothes
eating out, it just has been easier with my health lately need to really start planning menus and putting it where i can see it and stick to it
not watching the lights (luckly have switched to florescent bulbs)
Need to start watching water bill it is out of hand
and more organized when i go to the store have coupons ready before i go instead of trying to rush and get them ready....
Have bought micofiber clothes to use on my swiffer wet jet and swiffer wet/dry they seem to work better, have been making my own swiffer cleaner(pinsole and water) so this should help some on less thing to buy, it seems that when i get stressed i seem to go the easy route then i get stressed when money is tight it is no win sometimes.

**Mamaw** · 03-27-2008, 07:43 PM

*I need to start using the line to dry clothing. I will never completely not use the dryer but I could put more on the line than I do
*running through fast food places on the spur of the moment...bad for $$ and bad for my weight issues
*spending way too much on items for puppy, grandchildren and others
*splurging at thrift stores and garage sales. I love to shop them but often buy things I dont really need.....recreational shopping!