The awakening moment. . .

**Droppedonmyhead** · 09-09-2006, 09:56 AM

What situation happened to you that made you KNOW that you were going to have to starting being more frugal? Mine was when I went to the grocery store ONLY for a gallon of milk and ending up paying over $40 at the check-out line for other things I didn't really need at the time.

**i.m.cheap** · 09-09-2006, 10:10 AM

When my DH came home one night in May 2004 and said "I think I just got fired..." It has been a real rollercoaster ride for our family ever since, but we are doing OK now. DH is back in school attending with grants and student loans. We have stopped buying just about anything new. Even though we experienced a drop in income from $52,000 a year to $23,000 we have managed to get by thanks to living the frugal lifestyle.

**autumnlynn** · 09-09-2006, 11:16 AM

I knew the minute my ex left. I went from comfortable middle class to struggling overnight. Mine, too, has been a roller coaster ride, but being frugal is becoming second nature to me now. I think no matter what happens in my life that I will always continue my frugal lifestyle. It's a lifestyle of more contentment and peace than I had known before. I actually have a plan and goals for my life now.

**cspp04** · 09-09-2006, 11:57 AM

i also understood that i'd have to change my ways when my ex left. i struggled and fought against it. it certainly was not an easy transition. now, however, i take great pride and pleasure in my simple and frugal ways

**staceyy** · 09-09-2006, 01:48 PM

Mine was when I lost my 6 figure job. Dh has a good paying job but we were used to living on both salaries. I'm about to start nursing school which should take me about 2 years to finish (hopefully). Being frugal and continuing to save has kept us from going under. I thank everyone on this board for their tips and encouragement.

**thrifty gal** · 09-09-2006, 02:40 PM

Mine was when dh was laid off about 4 or 5 years ago. Up to that point I was a little frugal, but not much. Dh and I became frugal together. We were actually doing great, but I tell you this past year we have not been so frugal. Dh is making more money than he ever has, but we are not as frugal as we used to be, so we're actually worse off. Yesterday, though, we both sat down with our budget, and resolved together (that makes such a difference!) to get back on track.

**sueh** · 09-09-2006, 02:47 PM

Mine really started after becoming a sahm when dd1 was born and then dd2 was born 18 mo later. Then my stbx left the November of 2002. It was a roller coaster ride but well worth it. I have come so far and I am not looking back!

**brenda67** · 09-09-2006, 04:25 PM

Well... I would have to say nothing triggered me to be frugal..I'm obsessed with coupons...I'm very fortunate to live where there is stores that double coupons up to .99 everyday...I'm considered a Couponqueen..I stockpile everything I can for my family plus family members...it became an addiction,obsession and my passion other then my family of coarse...I considered this to be frugal ..till someone told me to buy the book The Tightwad Gazette and that opened a whole new world for me along with the my computer..I learned to cook from scratch make freezer meals don't buy takeout food anymore when I don't feel like cooking...we use to spend close to $200.00 a month on takeout...learned to mend some of my clothes... I would always throwout and by new..my Dh and I don't buy any big ticket items without talking about the need verses the wants first..I have alot of no spend days now compared to how I use to be..

**watchingpennies** · 09-09-2006, 05:06 PM

I became more frugal when I was on a maternity leave and my husband was let go from his 6 figure salary....it took almost a year for him to find a job that paid about half of what he had made....new baby, husband with no job and bills coming in from the lifestyle we had grown accustomed to....now we are getting back on track and are more focused on getting out of debt and saving.....for the future, not to impress others.

**cheappearls** · 09-09-2006, 05:34 PM

When I realized I only had 2 months before my DH comes home (He's deployed. We are at just under 4 weeks now.

) and we had only $100 in savings. Right now we are getting over $600 extra and it's all tax free while he's gone but once he's home that extra wont be there. We have 2 kids now and since I stay at home it's only DH's income supporting us. I know we can do it but I just hate living pay check to pay check. So I started cutting coupons, stopped impluse buying and putting more money into savings.

**Daisygirl** · 09-09-2006, 05:45 PM

When every single one of my utilities were to the point of being shut off within a week. I had been spending and spending to try to make myself happy, when my unhappiness had nothing to do with material things. Staying at home and spending no money, but finding things I enjoy and being with my kids makes me much much happier than all that silliness. And it is nice to be able to pay my bills before I get those final notices.

**kabin63** · 09-09-2006, 06:14 PM

For me it was a combination of different things and events. Then main one being I wanted to stay home with my DD. Then my husband lost his job and it took him almost 2 years to get another steady job with good benefits. I still struggle to save money. I think because I got so many hand me downs as a child that I still think in negative ways about it. I am working to change my attitude and behavior more than ever and I do splurge just a little bit now and again. I have to say that I feel much more peaceful when I know the bills are paid and it's nice to not have the bill collectors calling every ten minutes...so to speak.

**AmyBoz** · 09-09-2006, 06:41 PM

When the little + sign showed up on the stick.

**frugalnana** · 09-09-2006, 07:53 PM

When we were involved in a car accident I couldn't work for about a month and a half and dh was off work for 7 months then another 2 months looking for employment. THe company he worked for stated policies had changed and that he had to reapply for his position and when he did they said they didn't want to take the risk with his back. Things worked out for the best he is with a great company that is really family oriented. He gets a bonus every year something he didn't get before and he has better benefits. But this time around we have several different accounts set up that are for different things (IRA, Savings, Christmas club and EF Savings) My dh who was not as frugal before is allot more frugal since we almost lost everything. He is amazed each time I come back from a yard sale or thrift store with things we needed but I didn't want to pay the price. I just have a running list of things we need and when I go I look for those items.

**Goodwin17** · 09-09-2006, 11:27 PM

I originally started working on frugality when I was in nursing school a few years ago. I was living away from my parents, and Dh was living with me. I came back to frugality when I was in graduate school, really working to support myself and Dh (then BF). After grad school I got away from frugality because we're close to six-figures in our combined income. I decided that I didn't always want to work, and I decided to get my reduction surgery. I want to be able to retire early and not depend on anyone for anything during my golden years. Also I realized just how much I was spending, and it started making me feel sick. So, anyway all that talking to say I've had several awakening moments.