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

**PrairieRose** · 09-22-2006, 09:09 AM

I was wondering about this just the other day. For me, in most cases it's just a habit now. I still have to work on some things but I'm almost always in the "watching my p's and q's" mindset. I naturally backslide at times, don't mean to ever sound like I'm the perfect, frugal example b/c I'm surely not but I am mindful most of the time. I have to go even further and say that I'm not nearly as frugal as lots of people here. But it's ingrained in me now...

Do you still struggle with it or does it come more naturally now?

**Daisygirl** · 09-22-2006, 09:48 AM

What a great thread! For me it has become a habit (finally!) Part of that is necessity -- I make far less money than I did three months ago, so every single penny counts.

But for the most part, I love the feeling that comes from being in control of my life and my finances. Despite the fact that I really don't make much I feel much more secure than I did 6 months ago because I know what to expect financially. Before I had no idea what was going to be shut off or repo-ed next.

Frugality has become a way of life now, not an aberration to get me through til the next paycheck.

**Neeley** · 09-22-2006, 10:20 AM

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.

**frugalfarmwife** · 09-22-2006, 10:33 AM

It's become a way of life for me and actually I have to watch that I don't try to impose it on others to much, lol, and I get crabby when I/hubby/best friend don't go the frugal route, getting pennies out of my tight little fist is NOT an easy thing to do

We went out to dinner the other night (friends had given us a gift certificate) and I just really couldn't enjoy the meal knowing how much it cost and that I could've made better for a whole lot less!

kj

**Hollyhandi** · 09-22-2006, 11:03 AM

Seems like a struggle here every day...

**Jill B.** · 09-22-2006, 11:15 AM

I am new and introduced myself a few days ago. I have been frugal for about 14 years now. It comes as a habit for me now. However, as our income fluctuates, I become more or less frugal as the income dictates.

But I agree with Neeley that I love the bargain hunting and get very happy about all the good buys I get. I think if we look at it like a game, that can be helpful. Otherwise we might see frugality as deprivation and that would be depressing.

**nuisance26** · 09-22-2006, 11:15 AM

~Less a habit for me because it's my personality to be conservative. I've been shopping for bargains and pinching pennies as long as I can remember. I only 'backslide' when I'm going through a bout of depression or when I'm recovering from a pregnancy. Both are completely emotionally draining experiences that prevent me from acting like myself. It'd actually be nicer to be frugal as a habit because then I'd be more likely to practice it even when emotionally altered, kwim?

**bumplett** · 09-22-2006, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Neeley

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.

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.

I don't think that's sad to admit! I think it's wonderful!

I met frugality out of necesity, but I still enjoy it! I understand the "high" when you get a deal! I love that feeling.

I only find that I struggle with certain things - such as going out for dinner - but such dinners are more enjoyable now (except that I can't help but to be disappointed in the quality for the $$ I pay) does that make sense??

Otherwise, I think it's all habit - I was "thrifty" to begin with, so I just had to take it a step further.

I like to think of it as a game, and it's a game that I am winning

**suzysaver** · 09-22-2006, 11:29 AM

I would say at first this was very much a struggle, and I felt like I was always turning off the lights and turning down the heat. Lately a lot of these things come as habit and my husband jumped up the other night and said "Oh man I left the kitchen light on, and went to turn it off"....I had to giggle. I do agree it is kind of empowering to have control over not wasting things, and each day I feel a little more of a sense of security. When I first started becoming frugal, I was so worried about the bills and would lay away thinking about when the car was going to break down. .. I have a small fund for that now. It kind of fun sometimes finding ways to cut down on the electricy and looking for those bargains, and my favorite stockpiling.

**kabin63** · 09-22-2006, 12:42 PM

It's mostly a habit for me, but I find that I till struggle, in that, I get upset when something wears out and I have to replace it. Nobody in my home knows this though...LOL It is something that I was raised with, but because of other issues I was raised with, as well, I felt bad about wearing hand me downs and such. It's been hard to get that weeded out of me. I do like to go get some things at the thrift stores, but it's very hard for me to find something that I like. I did buy myself 3 flannel shirts at Good Will a few weeks ago and they have come in very handy all ready this year.

**brenda67** · 09-22-2006, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Neeley

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.

This is me down to the bone...but this is not a form of entertainment it is my entertainment..We ( meaning Dh,myself and kids) very rarely go out to eat.. Dh and I don't go out to the bars...we don't do drugs.. we go to the movies when I have free movie tickets..I'm prepared better than anyone I know. Another good thing is if it ever came down to the point that something drastic happened like my Dh lost his job.. we wouldnt live any differently then we do know..It wouldn't be such a devastating shock to us like most if not all the people I know..The most important thing is the kids wouldn't see any different lifestyle then they have now..kids see and worry just like the we do and they always`know when something is wrong...So I would say it's not a struggle for us it comes naturally....Live below your means is my motto..

**autumnlynn** · 09-22-2006, 06:35 PM

Frugality is a lifestyle for me. It really comes pretty natural. I also love finding bargains and saving money. I find it to be great fun and have found great friends. I really love this lifestyle.

**Shilah** · 09-22-2006, 07:33 PM

It's habit for me, but I still do stuff out of convenience and I still buy my coffee out when I shouldn't (not as often as I used to.)
I only shop for clothes second hand (except undies, shoes, socks, and hubbie's work clothes.) I don't buy anything really! My downfall is eating out. I love to eat out, but I'm down to once a week or less which is a huge improvement. I also cut out all un necessary driving. The other huge thing is we heat our home with burning wood, HUGE SAVINGS! I was line drying clothes for a while, but I'm out of the habit, but that's 50 bucks a month I could be saving.

**marei** · 09-22-2006, 10:53 PM

Being frugal is such a habit with me I don't even think about it - I actually get annoyed when we eat out - more times than not I am disappointed in the food and like my own cooking better - and it is so much cheaper - that might have something to do with it.

**Cricket1** · 09-22-2006, 11:43 PM

I would have to say that it is a daily struggle. I have always LOVED finding a bargain--which is great unless you find $1,000 worth of "bargains" per month!!! I love to shop so I really need to evaluate all of those wonderful deals. I also must admit that I get a little jealous of what other's are doing and if I'm not careful, I could easily go a little overboard. I'm not trying to keep up with the Joneses, but if one of my friends mentions that they went shopping and got their kids new toys, it kind of makes me think, "Boy, I haven't bought my kids a new toy since...." I guess I'm very impressionable and marketers must love me!!! Now that I'm more aware of this, I can catch myself so I realize what I'm feeling and won't go out shopping!! This is my struggle.