How has frugality changed for you over the past few years

**homesteadmamma** · 10-02-2002, 09:54 AM

I remember always being frugal but when the TWG came out, book #1 - I got really into frugality to the point of being radical. I washed baggies, saved everything (much of which I didn't use), started baking from scratch more, etc.

Over the years since the TWG came out, I've slacked off just a bit. I refuse to wash baggies anymore (I can get the cheaper on sale and not worry about holes in them), I still save stuff but not as much (how many margarine containers can you save) and I bake completely from scratch.

In some areas I've really slacked off in frugality and in other areas I've gotten more radical.

How about you - has it changed, stayed the same or are you getting more radical?

**captclearance** · 10-02-2002, 10:06 AM

I have been frugal for many years too.... It really started as a matter of absolute necessity !!! Now much of what I do is out of habit and concern for the planet.... I still love to save money, and love to bargain shop, but I would like to teach my children about making do with some things....We are a throw away society and I believe it's important to reduce, reuse and recycle when we can..... It's not just about money...... I was so broke years ago that I made a crocheted bear for my niece out of the yarn from an old sweater and the stuffing from an old stuffed animal..... She still has that variegated bear and never knew.....
Some know the cost of everything and the value of nothing........
I not broke anymore (Not rich either ) but I am forever frugal..............

**MJsLady** · 10-02-2002, 10:12 AM

"Some know the cost of everything and the value of nothing........"
This is it exactly. I just could never put it into words!
I have always been frugal. Unfortunately dh is not so as fast as I save he spends.
As it is, I think he is changing a bit. I used to wash baggies but everytime he sees them drying he tosses them, he says he wont reuse them for a few cents....
ARRRGH!

**tnschaffer** · 10-02-2002, 10:50 AM

We started being frugal out of a matter of neccesity too. A little over a year ago I had my second child, and could no longer afford to work at my measly little job.

I started out saving everything too. I found I didnt use most of it, and I could be using that space to store things I WILL use like bulk foods and cheapo gifts etc.

I do wash baggies, its not a big deal to me. I get a huge box every Christmas from my gramma, so I can make that box last a whole year and never have spent a penny on baggies. I think its worth it.

I try to make everything possible from scratch. Its amazing how much money that alone can save you.

I am trying to be more radical in some frugal things but its a learned process just like everything else.

Even after we are no longer broke, I will still be frugal.

**justjenn** · 10-02-2002, 04:34 PM

When I first learned of being frugal, I started doing a little here and there. I didn't wash baggies, because I thought that it was just not worth it. Then, as I kept reading and learning about frugality I learned that the little things really do help. I began to do a lot of frugal things.

Right now, I am trying to simplify my life, and still keep being as frugal as I can. I don't wash sandwich baggies because my dh works in the coal mines, so they just get too dirty. I do wash freezer bags, and aluminum foil. I am still doing a lot of frugal things, but I'm trying to not stress over things that are just not worth my time.

**Jerseygirl** · 10-02-2002, 04:54 PM

I think I have tweaked my systems better. I've become more organized, so I don't buy what we already have, I reuse more, and I have learned to plan ahead much more.

**Patchworkgirl** · 10-02-2002, 04:55 PM

Funny you should bring this up. I was just having this conversation with myself not too long ago. My frugality practices have definitely changed for the worse over the last few years. I used to do a lot of canning and preserving, make a lot of things from scratch, etc. I have really really slipped lately. Hopefully I can get back on track with all my frugal friends here to cheer me on!

**Mom23boys** · 10-02-2002, 10:58 PM

I have always tried to cut corners since our first year of marriage. We are going on 16 years in December. I guess I learned it out of neccessity, but then it became a habit. Couponing seems to take over my free time. Any extra time goes to couponing and searching for sales. I don't wash baggies. I think I can buy them very cheap...practically nothing without the hassle of washing them. I use square sandwich containers for the daily lunches anyway and save. Also, another thing I slack off on is the hand washing of dishes. I always use the dishwasher during the week because I hardly get any time just for me after working all day. It may not save money, but it save my sanity. I also throw the clothes in the dryer on occassion during the work week. I cut corners in other areas, that this doesn't seem to bother me like it used too. I think we all have to decide what is worth cutting back on for us.

**PrairieRose** · 10-02-2002, 11:23 PM

I am always on the lookout for "new and improved" ways to save a few cents here and there. I still cook a lot even though the dk's have left home, and I am sooooooo jazzed that dh has FINALLY jumped on the band wagon. It's only taken me about 20 yrs. to get him there.

**AmyBoz** · 10-03-2002, 11:16 AM

I think it has definitely changed me. When I was in college, and even right after I graduated, I was a total spendaholic. Before we even got engaged, dh told me I needed to eradicate my credit card debt. Took awhile, but I did. Since getting pregnant with dd 2 1/2 years ago, I've become totally frugal and I love it. I don't wash out baggies, but buy them on sale with coupons for almost nothing. I watch my grocery bill like a hawk. I reuse envelopes, hang laundry, and just generally don't spend money on stuff. Dh and I don't charge more than we can pay off each month, and our credit card is a ShopRite credit card that gives us grocery gift certificates each month. So, I think I've changed, but it's definitely for the better. I don't think I'll ever go back to my spending ways...I like the challenge of saving money.

**doodlebug** · 10-03-2002, 12:57 PM

Dh and I have always been somewhat frugal but I have become even more so the past 2 years. I now hang laundry on the line instead of using the dryer, and wash all clothes in cold water instead of warm or hot. I've become very serious about couponing and buying on sale. I'm saving old blue jeans to make a quilt instead of tossing them out. We get bags of leaves from a friend to use in the goat barn. We do a lot of free things like go to the park, have picnics, go to the library instead of buying books, etc. And I've become a freebie hunter, I love getting free samples and stuff in the mail

And we trade for stuff quite a bit and dh is really good at rebuilding and recycling stuff. We also buy right much used stuff, dh just got some really nice truck tires for cheap because the guy that had them decided he wanted some newer ones, they still have lots of tread on them and should last us a couple years because we don't drive our truck very much. Dh seems to find lots of deals like this.

**dozymom** · 10-03-2002, 02:11 PM

can't for whatever reason that is. Ranging from, yuck, that's just not my thing to hmmmm I'm not very efficient at this task, better avoid it and find a way to save elsewhere.

I've thought a lot about what works and what doesn't in my own life.

Some things don't give back enough to be worthwhile, while others like checking the grocery tape before leaving the store, cutting my own hair, sewing cloth sanitary pads yeild a big savings for very little time and effort.

I like to pause and think about stuff, specially if it's something that bugs me to do it.

What am I gaining?

What does it cost me to do it?

Is that time better spent on something that gains me more?

I ask myself that. Sometimes, yes it is worth it. Other times no.

For example the sandwich baggies: I detest washing baggies, done it, don't like it. Thought long and hard about the 3 questions there.

End result: I bought a set of hard plastic sandwich containers by Rubbermaid at a store special, which I don't mind washing (before the dishwasher came into my life and after) which actually over their lifetime cost less than buying more baggies for this task and are environmentally a bit better too.

This doesn't always work. For example I still use baggies for packaging ground beef or grated cheese for the freezer. For food safe reasons I toss them. Occaisionally one of the kids wants to take their lunch in disposables for conveniance so that happens once in a while.

Somethings are just not worth doing, they make me feel yucky to do them, or they take a lot of time and effort for very little savings.

When I see that, I remember that I do other things I love, that yeild more and it all balances out.

I think in the end, for me it's important accept that what I do for frugality might be different from what a friend or neighbor is able to do.

**summercat** · 10-04-2002, 11:29 PM

I have become more frugal the past couple years. I use as many coupons as I can and always look at my store adds before I go shopping that way I know ahead of time what is on sale & make sure I have my coupons ready.
I don't wash baggies either but my grandmother did.
Now it is only me since my oldest dd has just turned 18 and moved on her own & this is the very first time I ahve been on my own and with my limited income I am using all the coupons I can and trying to save eveyway I know how to in order to make my money stretch as far as it possibly can.
I enjoy being frugal and not wasting money on things I don't need.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 10-05-2002, 11:50 PM

I wash out zipper bags but NOT the fold top baggies. However, I toss the bags that have had meat or other greasy things in them for health reasons.

I clothe my kids almost entirely from garage sales and am proud of that! I buy them underwear, socks and some of their shoes new. If I could find all of this used, I would do it!

I take my animals for their vaccinations of Wednesday afternoons since the vet has vaccination clinics then and it's cheaper!

DH and I were raised completely differently, but we have both adapted. He lived in a very affluent area; I was raised on welfare. He STILL doesn't like to wait to buy something, but I have been able to rein him in a bit. OTOH, I have learned to give a bit in the tightwad department if there is something he wants and feels very stronly about it. In all fairness, he doesn't spend wildly, but he DOES get a wild hair every once in awhile!

**KathiS** · 10-06-2002, 04:11 AM

I have become more frugal during the last few years. I seldom buy anything new. When I do buy something new, I look for items that are on sale. I am trying to cook more from scratch. I use my coupons and check ads for good deals. I have a long way to go but, I am doing better all the time with the skills I have learned here in the Village!