Is frugality more of a 'habit' for you now or do you still struggle daily with it?

[miss_thrifty]

sometimes we splurge maybe when we shouldnt, lots of times im thinking in the back of mind, why would i pay more for neew clothes when i can find second hand like brand new for less money. And sometimes i jusy say what the heck.
This afternoon out theatre in town is having a buy one get one free printred coupon online, so hubby and me, and a acouple are going to see a movie. The matinee in the afternoon is $7.79 but at nite its over $9. so wetre going in the afternoon one. Not sure what we'll see yet.thers afew good ones playing. thats our treat of the month together as a couple besides Sunday is me and hubbys 13th anniversary.

[i.m.cheap]

This is sad to say, but it is a form of entertainment for me. I enjoy the hunt for the bargains. Seeing the look on a cashier's face when I get a buggy of good foods (meats, cheeses, cereals, breads) for less than ten dollars. It is so much fun for me to search the racks of the thrift store for an A & F shirt for my son and a Polo jacket for my daughter and only paying four dollars for both.

It's a game at my house to follow the kids cutting off lights and charging them a quarter everytime they leave them on when not needed.

I guess for me it is not a way of life I have had to convert to, or a struggle. It is something I enjoy doing and it is almost like a high when I get a great deal.

That is exactly how I feel! I enjoy the thrill of the "hunt".

Sometimes I do go a bit overboard, like last night, our homeschool group had their monthly "Mom's night out" at the cafe inside Barnes and Noble. Almost everyone else there got a coffee drink and/or a dessert of some kind. Not me. I couldn't let myself spend $3-4 for a latte. I kind of felt bad when I got home, because I really love coffee, and I had to sit there and see everyone else at the table enjoying their drinks. We were there for two hours. DH said I should have bought myself a coffee, but I think I would have been kicking myself for spending the money if I had. Sometimes I feel a little too frugal.

DH and I both work at a restaurant and have never eaten the food there, because employee meals are not free, they give a 50% discount. Still too much in my book. DH has worked there for 18 months (as a cook) and has no idea what the food tastes like. I have been there for a year. Occaisionally I will get to take home a broken, stale cookie that they were going to throw away. DH got to bring home a bone for our dog once.

[birthgeek]

It's still a bit of a struggle for me, I'll admit. I'm getting better, though, but I still have those days where I toss a glossy mag into the groceries... Only now, I get a huge pang of regret when I get home and think about that wasted $4.50! They are a bad vice, but my slipups are getting farther between.

We've become more automatic about things like not getting take-out or dining at restaurants. Just last week, there were a couple of days where I was on the verge of grabbing fast-food but made the effort and threw together an edible, home-cooked meal at the last minute. I was *so* proud!

I'm going to persevere until frugality becomes my default setting.

[pkellyc]

A struggle. I wasn't raised frugally, I became frugal because I had to.

[thrifty gal]

Good thread!! Some things have become habit for me. Like, mostly buying generic brands, using less of things, etc. Others, are still a struggle. Eating out is a huge struggle around here, impulse buying, etc.

[kabin63]

Ok, I have to tell you what happened at my MIL's today....LOL She wanted us to see her new kitchen lights that just got put in. Well, we looked, decided they were kind of space age looking then I went to turn off the lights and she said, "No, just leave them on, I want to look at them" LOL Here I was at someone elses house and thinking about turning the lights off to save money. And I can't tell you how bad I wanted to turn those lights off. Of course I also caught myself before I said, "But you're wasting energy" LOL I guess it is ingrained in me now..... LOL

[AmyBoz]

For me it's a habit. However, it's a good habit that is fun to do. I, too, enjoy the hunt and the thrill of success at a great shopping trip.