Made $100 today and discovered...(kinda long)

**Michelle68** · 07-10-2008, 09:39 PM

..something interesting. I was called by a market research firm for a focus group that was taking place at my neighborhood grocery store. (My first job in high school was for a market research company. I stood in the mall bugging people to take surveys, so now I answer almost every one that comes my way.)

The focus group took place over an hour and a half and the gist of it was to determine what people's shopping habits were now that the economy has worsened. There were 6 other people in my focus group and the moderator had each of us introduce ourselves and tell how many people were in our households and how much we spend each month on groceries.

Let me tell you, I must just lead a very sheltered Frugal Village life because when I heard what most of the other people spend on groceries, I just about fell out of my chair. There was one woman who told the group that, with four people in the house, she spends about $600-$700 a month for groceries. (And she was one of the lower spenders in the group.) Then she announces that she bets she is probably the most "frugal shopper" in the group.

I was next to last in the introductions and when I announced that for a household of four we spend $350-$380 per month in groceries, everyone else was shocked and asked how I could spend so little. Well, let me tell you, I think I mentioned Frugal Village about four times (Hey, Sara, do we get referral fees?

) and then , as quickly as I could, I explained about making menus, making a list, shopping according to sales and not buying a lot of convenience foods. I also mentioned that I know of people (here at FV) who are much better shoppers than I am and spend even less.

The interesting thing was the reaction I got to my explanation. The participant who thought she was the most frugal shopper became a bit defensive and stated that her son was in "every sport out there" and her daughter was in dance and she just didn't have enough time to do all that. Another participant just sat there and said at least three times, "Geez, I've gotta start making a budget." Another participant admitted that she is an "impulsive shopper" and just buys whatever she likes.

After the focus group ended, the lady who said she is "too busy" to shop frugally admitted to me that her husband (who is a CPA) had told her recently that the reason they can't take a vacation is because they spend so much during the year. She told me that maybe she can work on getting her grocery bill dow, too.

Anyway, overall it was an eye-opening experience AND I made $100.

Sorry this is long, I just wanted to share.

--Michelle

**chettasmom** · 07-10-2008, 09:43 PM

NICE!..Good for you

Now put it to good use!

**heartofmine** · 07-10-2008, 09:44 PM

Michelle thanks for sharing that. It really opens a persons eyes when they get out and here what people are really spending. Wow! I bet you did shock their socks off. LOL

**cmdarlin** · 07-10-2008, 09:53 PM

I'm surprised they didn't contact you afterwards, wanting you to help teach them! I need to work on a better budget..... but one thing with food stamps and our situation.... when their gone, we don't buy till the next 'payday'.

Debbie in Missouri

**angelbumpkin** · 07-10-2008, 10:10 PM

Good for you giving these people alook into the frugal life.
Congrat on $100 spend it carefully.

**itsahumanzoo** · 07-10-2008, 10:12 PM

Great job! Hope you opened some people's eyes! And as for the frugal lady, you should have told her that she was just making excuses as to why she couldn't save more money. Maybe she'll join the site!

**Athena31** · 07-10-2008, 10:24 PM

Great story thanks for sharing it!

**momof2joys** · 07-10-2008, 10:42 PM

WOW, first on the $100, second on letting everyone else know that it is okay to set a budget!! Honestly if I would have known about FV a long time ago, I probably wouldn't have gotten myself into the debt that I have. On the other side, I am actually really glad that I found FV when I did, because I have learned so many things and I can see now where I went wrong and what other choices I should have made!!!

Way to go, it's a great thing when you can show someone else the light!!

**Texasgirl** · 07-10-2008, 11:26 PM

WTG on earning $100.
It really surprises me what some people spend on grocerys.

**sdrjeolsen** · 07-10-2008, 11:30 PM

woo hoo on the $100!! would have loved to be a fly on the wall in their homes at dinner after that session! lol, thanks for sharing.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 07-10-2008, 11:31 PM

Wow! Sounds like a great experience!

I think it would be neat to do something like that... Hope those folks listened to ya...think of what a huge difference you may have made in their lives just by telling your story!

**McD** · 07-11-2008, 09:09 AM

It irritates me when people say things like, "I just don't have time to do that!" especially when they see me with all my coupons. They have the time to do it, they just aren't making an effort to do it. I had a lady say that to me in a really snotty voice when Zac was deployed and it was on one of my bad days. I looked at her and said, "Yeah, I'm sure you don't. But with my husband being deployed, me working 40 hours a week, going to school full-time and raising my two year old by myself, I just have all sorts of free time on my hands."

I felt bad after saying it, but seriously, it's not like we aren;t busy just because we choose to be frugal!!!

**Greebo** · 07-11-2008, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by MrsMcDowell

It irritates me when people say things like, "I just don't have time to do that!" especially when they see me with all my coupons. They have the time to do it, they just aren't making an effort to do it. I had a lady say that to me in a really snotty voice when Zac was deployed and it was on one of my bad days. I looked at her and said, "Yeah, I'm sure you don't. But with my husband being deployed, me working 40 hours a week, going to school full-time and raising my two year old by myself, I just have all sorts of free time on my hands."

I felt bad after saying it, but seriously, it's not like we aren;t busy just because we choose to be frugal!!!

I wouldn't feel bad for saying it - "i don't have time" is an excuse. I bet any one of those people could cut out at least an hour of TV a day.

Never apologize for taking away someone's excuse to fail. Never!

**AmyBoz** · 07-11-2008, 09:14 AM

Yeah, people are always shocked when they hear what we spend. They can't imagine that it is possible. They can't pull out the "Yeah, but I work full-time" card, because hello...look who you are talking to!

Congrats on the $100!

**familyof3** · 07-11-2008, 09:22 AM

I'm always amazed by the people who find being frugal surprising. I work with people who order out for lunch a lot and then say they are behind on their bills. Bring your lunch, don't go to the mall and impulse shop, budget. I can understand not caring, or trying and failing, but come on, the concept isn't that difficult.