What Started You Down the Frugal Path?

**forHISglory** · 04-08-2009, 03:42 PM

More than likely the majority of readers on this forum are somewhere on the frugal path. I was interested in what made you even step onto the path.

Did someone push you or order you onto the frugal path? Did you stumble onto it accidentally? Did you seek the path because of something specific happening in your life? Did you just have a yearning to be more in control? Did you enter the path kicking and screaming, or were you eager to become frugal?

What was the impetus for your journey to frugality?

**Ceashels** · 04-08-2009, 04:01 PM

I was raised on the path but I had to hogtie Greebo and drag him along after we got married. (I'm sure he will describe it differently.)

**ladytoysdream** · 04-08-2009, 04:09 PM

When I was growing up on a dairy farm, we were very poor.
When married to my first husband and raising 4 kids, he wanted me to be a stay at home mom. A very tight budget to work with.
Now with my second husband. We are low income and I need to run a snug budget to keep us going.
So I guess it's safe to say, I have always been on a frugal path because I had no other choices. I make do , because I have to.

**hotprincesscm** · 04-08-2009, 04:14 PM

I just kinda stumbled upon it. Came across this website and haven't turned back! I'm on a low income, and need to make every penny count. I'm saving for a house....The more frugal I am the more I can save towards a house! Plus it's a fun challenge to see what I can actually do!!

QM · 04-08-2009, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by forHISglory

...Did someone push you or order you onto the frugal path? Did you stumble onto it accidentally? Did you seek the path because of something specific happening in your life? Did you just have a yearning to be more in control? Did you enter the path kicking and screaming, or were you eager to become frugal?

Very good questions! I decided to live a more frugal life shortly after I was in a car accident on October 10, 2008. Thankfully it was only a minor fender bender (I rear-ended the car in front of me when I got distracted for more than two seconds). I was so upset that it occurred plus that I had to pay the $500 deductible. I told myself that I needed to somehow pay it back by cutting back and such. (DH thought I was overreacting and didn't think it that big of deal.) I googled a few words (probably frugal or saving money or something) and came across this forum. From that point on I've been living a more frugal life thanks to the ideas on this forum. I never knew that people could make their own toothpaste, shampoo, dish soap, soap & laundry detergent (BTW--I still don't make mine), that people wash and reuse their ziploc bags, do major couponing while still watching for deals or have challenges about not spending. Everything was so new to me, and I've really enjoyed learning all their is to learn. I'm glad I was pointed towards the knowledge of Dr. Dave Ramsay and the book he wrote. Now I've started an Emergency Fund and am trying my hardest to pay down our credit. I'm so glad to be on the frugal road.

**forHISglory** · 04-08-2009, 05:16 PM

I was raised in a very frugal home, frugal out of necessity. Hubby, likewise. So being frugal after I was out on my own wasn't that big of a change. Plus, as a college student and then a beginning teacher, there were no big pay checks and no money to spare. While I didn't go out on huge spending sprees, there were a few times that I spent and then had regrets. I didn't really have a clear cut financial plan before me.

I was nudged onto the frugal path a little later when Hubby and I decided to build a house. I realized that I had just been toying with being careful with my money, but had not totally embraced the concept and lifestyle. We realized that we could either tighten up, get smart and have our new house, or we could continue in our careless ways. We decided to get frugal. It proved to be so effective and so much fun, that we've not stepped off the path. Things are easier now, but we still take pride in frugality.

**fixer** · 04-08-2009, 05:20 PM

When I realized how much hard work it takes to make money. I think I was twelve. Another invaluable gift given to me by my parents.

**FrugalMomof3** · 04-08-2009, 05:20 PM

I went down the frugal path because I was up to my eyeballs in debt and I wanted to buy a house, my story is here somewhere, lol

Now I am frugal (at times) and I dont mind NOT having tv or home phone or any of the other luxuries the Jone's-es have. It's fun being me and being happy with what I have.

**3tomboys** · 04-08-2009, 05:46 PM

While growing up we had to be frugal. You learned to use what you had or do without. In my early 20's I wasn't as frugal but still did a few things. When I had my second dd I wanted to stay home for a year while she had some medical issues taken care of. I was home for 3 weeks and found out dd #3 was on the way. I became frugal very quickly because I wanted to stay home. Being frugal allowed me to be a SAHM for 5 years. I do it now because I know it helps me acheive some goals I would not be able to achieve otherwise.

**LastDragonfly** · 04-08-2009, 06:00 PM

I was not raised frugal however my dh has the most frugal parents holy cow, I am talking MEGA EXTREME FRUGAL....

DH and I werent too totally out of control, but we just never had anything kwim? So a few years ago, I googled "frugal" and here I am.

I regret not being frugal when my older children were home...they struggle with money. My youngest children make me so proud, for her 12th birthday 2 weeks ago, my daughter bought her own laptop, with every penny she has earned from cleaning a friends beauty shop 2 hours on Saturdays. My youngest kiddo, loves to spend other peoples $$ but spend her own? Nope, you have to pry it out of her hands....

I am probably one of the least frugal people here compared to others, however, I'm more frugal than I've ever been or any of my friends.

**thefrug** · 04-08-2009, 06:46 PM

We've been living on one income for almost 30yrs. With a handicapped child who was total care, me working outside of the home wasn't an option. We're doing fine.I learned to shop sales and use coupons early on and with hubby working construction there were some short paychecks, so I learned to stretch the food dollar. Now, it's just habit. We've always lived this way and I see no reason to stop. We don't have outrageous debt and we eat well, we don't drive fancy new cars, but phfftt! who wants to?!
We're very lucky I have to say.And very grateful for all our blessings.

**Wendy Mack** · 04-08-2009, 07:10 PM

Well I was raised frugal... because we didn't have money! But the worst years for my parents trying to make ends meet was the most fun!!!! My most memorable memories are from those years, we spent time doing things at home.. like i remember getting to eat pop corn for supper.. it was like yessssssss!!!!... I didn't know it was the only thing we had in the house! ( my mom fessed up just a few years ago when me and my brothers were going over memories!) And then the speckled crayons that mom made us that we treasured.. and then cried when they were all gone! ... (didn't know it was all our bits of crayons that mom melted in the oven and made big round ones out of cause she didn't have the extra money for more) Then all the all family apple picking and then fresh apple crisp and canning apples! I use to love the smell and loved to help carry them down to the basement to store! At the time i was about 10 or 11... and all i can remember is fun!!! The playing in the chicken coup... the climbing of trees.... playing in bushes... making nests in the yard out of the freshly mowed yard.. can you just see 3 kids sitting in their nests .. trying to keep kittens from escaping their nest!! LOL! And mom confessed that she was sooo afraid that she wasn't doing right by us cause she couldn't buy us this or that.... I was mom i remember this time always .. but not because we didn't have THINGS~... but because of all the things we did TOGETHER! She cried!!! I mean we had what we needed but not what we wanted and we weren't warped or damaged for life! Infact just the opposite happened! I just keep thinking about that now as my husband and I struggle to stay afloat at the moment! I just wish i didn't work full time so i could do all the things with the kids i want to.... but this summer I am going to change that do more together spend less.. its my goal to do more on the weekends when i am home ... life is short and kids don't stay little long!

**forHISglory** · 04-08-2009, 09:04 PM

Wendy Mack, I was raised on an Iowa farm, and every word you wrote could have come from my story. I soooooo identify!

**Starlight9803** · 04-08-2009, 09:21 PM

I've been pretty frugal since marriage, but deciding to homeschool and stay home with the kiddos has nudged us into becoming more committed to it.

**frugalfriend** · 04-08-2009, 09:26 PM

Well, my parents were frugal because they had to be, they didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up. So, that is where it started. But, I feel like I have always been this way, like it is how I am wired. I'm a lot like my Mom, I learned a lot from her too. I hate to waste anything, I've always been careful with money, etc. I grew up knowing if I wanted extra clothes, a car, or college, then I had to earn them myself. So, that is what I did. It made me strong, and independent at a young age and I am grateful for that today.