How many years and most important lesson from FV

**zakity** · 08-03-2011, 08:58 PM

Zakity, I had a dream about you last night! LOL! I put a person to your name and we were at my house picking cherries and we were riding horses around. It was so funny because I was calling you Zakity also

You sure that was a dream and not a nightmare? **teehee** And, you dreamed me thin, right? Might as well be thin somewhere...

**frugalfriend** · 08-03-2011, 09:33 PM

I've been here almost 5 years and FV feels like my home away from home! I sometimes feel like posting, other times just feel like hearing from all of you, but I'm here. What I learned is that there really are other people out there who think like I do (other than my mom!) and that has been awesome! I love how we support and encourage (and sometimes tease

) each other in our daily lives, share tips and ideas, and it's nice to know there's a place to go where others "get it".

**Starlight9803** · 08-04-2011, 02:43 AM

I joined in 2007. I tend to lurk, but trying to overcome that so I post more and be more accountable. Like others have said, the biggest things that I've learned on this site are that it keeps me accountable, and that I am not some freak lol, since all the people around me IRL just don't "get it".

**dwnloom** · 08-04-2011, 09:50 AM

I joined in 2007.....Wow...a lot has happened since then. We no longer have a big house and lots of bills. We have lost and gained and lost employment. Overall, we are doing really good with the tips and tricks we have learned. Only bills are from drs....car accident(me - not my fault), knee replacement(hubby), ulcerative colitis(son)....There are lots of things I have learned, but I think the most important one is that we are not alone. Thank you guys for being here....It really does mean alot.

**krbshappy71** · 08-04-2011, 11:47 AM

"sell the car, buy a beater." when you are in debt the last thing you need holding you down is an outrageous car loan. I got rid of mine kicking and screaming at Greebo about it and it was by far the best choice I have made yet.

Also "never leave frugal village". So far the times I have fallen off the wagon are the times I stopped being involved with this site. I stopped blogging, contributing, caring. That carried into the rest of my life as well.

**Debbie-cat** · 08-04-2011, 11:04 PM

I joined in December 2008.....wow, it's been a while. My biggest lesson is that every penny counts. I am so thankful for everyone on this site and respect all of you for how we are living our lives.....I now know I am not a freak for being frugal.....if I am then all of you are and that would be ALOT of freaks!

**bmd1011** · 08-05-2011, 10:23 AM

I just joined about a week ago, but was a lurker for about a week before that. So far I've just taken in some great wisdom on my current situation, and gotten to the point where I know a budget is a totally manageable way to live.

**Josephhgoins** · 08-05-2011, 11:15 AM

I joined in 2009, so I am still fairly new. I learned there was a difference between being Frugal, Cheap, and Miserly. I learned that not everyone has debt and that it isn't a neccessary part of life and if you work hard you can get rid of debt.

I learned that debt is soul crushing and life is better without it.

I also learned that just because something was inexpensive doesn't mean it isn't good.

And finally, that just because someone isn't sitting accross the table from me, doesn't mean that they arn't a friend and can't make me feel better about a bad situation.

**AmyBoz** · 08-06-2011, 07:23 AM

I joined a little more than 10 years ago in July of 2001! Found out we were pg with DD10 and knew we had 6 months of impending maternity leave with no pay during the coming winter. Figured it was time to pull up those bootstraps as we moved from being a couple to being a family. I've never looked back!

I think the most important thing I've learned is that it it never too late to start and if you fall out of practice with frugality, you can always get back to it at any time.

**beks37** · 08-06-2011, 10:58 AM

I've been here since May 2008. The most important thing I learned and that I live by is menu planning! It helps me keep my grocery budget low and prevents me from eating out because I always know what I'm eating and when.

**BeachBaby** · 08-06-2011, 11:18 AM

I joined in 2005 so almost 6 years.

I lurk more often than not have learned too many things to even count.

**tervsforme** · 08-06-2011, 03:57 PM

I joined in December, 2005, that was a few months after I moved out and started divorce proceedings. My ex wouldn't believe how frugal I have become... LOL

One of the very first things I learned here was not spending money every day. The little piddly things you buy every day really really add up. Once I started doing that, it was amazing what a difference that made to my budget.

I am thankful for all of the people I have met here and all of the things I have learned over the years... Thank you.