I'm New!

**RLC12345678** · 01-04-2008, 10:19 AM

I'm a wife of 2 years and a mom to 3 furbabies: 2 yorkies and 1 labrador retriever. My husband and I are both in professional school (medical and law) and living off student loans. Luckily we have no credit card debt and we won't have to start paying on our loans for a couple of years. So, right now we just try to get by on as little as possible!! I feel like we do well in most areas except the grocery store!!

That is DEFINITELY an area that I'm going to work on this new year. I also think we can lower our utilities if we put more effort into it.

I do have a few guilty pleasures that will save us money but I'm going to have a hard time giving up: our DVR cable tv (we watch a lot of tv!), washing underwear/sox/towels in hot water and drying in the dryer (i'm a bit of a germ-a-phobe), and showering everyday. I think I could start washing everything in cold water but I'm going to have a very hard time letting go of the cable tv and dryer. Is that bad??

**dcompton** · 01-04-2008, 10:45 AM

Well, I may not be the best to advise, and I'm sure other better frugalites will weigh in on this (listen to them!), but here's my two cents worth.

As for the dryer, this sounds like it's not just a convenience, but something that is important to you. You don't want to think "icky - dirty!" everytime you dress or pull out a towel. I am definitely not germ-phobic so non-heat drying is fine for me. Maybe a compromise? Dry them partway to get them hot, then remove them and finish line drying them or hanging them to dry? But this a personal thing; we are all different. There are many ways to be frugal, and unless you are in dire financial straits (and it sounds like you're not), there are probably other things you could do instead. If you continue to dry, watch all your other electric usage like a hawk. The dryer really does add up.

As for the cable, well, for my part, yes and/or no. There are other free things you can do, and if you like movies, the puiblic library is a great source of free ones. If you are in med/law school, you are probably in a city likely to have a good public library system. On the other hand, I work at a medical school library, and know how grinding it is for the students. I imagine law school is the same. If the cable is your most important downtime mind break, your lifeline to sanity, maybe it's worth it. Could you pare down the cost? I don't have cable, even a tv, so I don't really know how they are priced.

Getting your grocery bill down - this is something you CAN do - will help a lot. You will find lots of tipds and advice on this site for doing that. The one thing I would recommend is to learn to love a crockpot if you don't already. It will save you time and energy, which is probably in short supply with both of you in school. If you buy lunches on campus or out, think leftovers. Brown bagging can be healthy and is, of course, much cheaper.

Well, my two cents turned into at least a dime. Anyway, good luck. Hang out here and you'll lots of frugal ways. Lots of inspiration around here.

**homemaker66** · 01-04-2008, 10:51 AM

**latierra84** · 01-04-2008, 11:28 AM

what a cute little guy in your avatar!

Welcome!

**FrugalMomof3** · 01-04-2008, 12:19 PM

to Frugal Village!

**RLC12345678** · 01-04-2008, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by dcompton

Well, I may not be the best to advise, and I'm sure other better frugalites will weigh in on this (listen to them!), but here's my two cents worth.

As for the dryer, this sounds like it's not just a convenience, but something that is important to you. You don't want to think "icky - dirty!" everytime you dress or pull out a towel. I am definitely not germ-phobic so non-heat drying is fine for me. Maybe a compromise? Dry them partway to get them hot, then remove them and finish line drying them or hanging them to dry? But this a personal thing; we are all different. There are many ways to be frugal, and unless you are in dire financial straits (and it sounds like you're not), there are probably other things you could do instead. If you continue to dry, watch all your other electric usage like a hawk. The dryer really does add up.

As for the cable, well, for my part, yes and/or no. There are other free things you can do, and if you like movies, the puiblic library is a great source of free ones. If you are in med/law school, you are probably in a city likely to have a good public library system. On the other hand, I work at a medical school library, and know how grinding it is for the students. I imagine law school is the same. If the cable is your most important downtime mind break, your lifeline to sanity, maybe it's worth it. Could you pare down the cost? I don't have cable, even a tv, so I don't really know how they are priced.

Getting your grocery bill down - this is something you CAN do - will help a lot. You will find lots of tipds and advice on this site for doing that. The one thing I would recommend is to learn to love a crockpot if you don't already. It will save you time and energy, which is probably in short supply with both of you in school. If you buy lunches on campus or out, think leftovers. Brown bagging can be healthy and is, of course, much cheaper.

Well, my two cents turned into at least a dime. Anyway, good luck. Hang out here and you'll lots of frugal ways. Lots of inspiration around here.

Thank you SOOOO much!!! I really appreciate you taking the time to give me your input on my situation!!! I think drying part way and hanging to dry the rest is a great idea and definitely something I can live with! I had no idea that the dryer used so much energy!!!!! Also, you put it perfectly when you said that watching TV is our most important downtime and it is time that my hubby and I enjoy together in the evenings. We don't spend much money on other forms of entertainment, so maybe I shouldn't feel so guilty about the cable bill, which is about $80 per month, including internet (which we both need for school). I think the most important area for me is going to be the grocery store. And I DO own a crockpot! I need to get some good recipes and use it!!!!! THANKS again for the tips!

**RLC12345678** · 01-04-2008, 12:34 PM

THANK YOU!!! That's our "first born baby," Mr. Hobbs!

**kaykwilts** · 01-04-2008, 12:45 PM

2: to the village.

**Darlene** · 01-04-2008, 12:54 PM

Mr Hobbs, what a pooch!
Welcome to Frugal Village!

**Kitten20** · 01-04-2008, 12:55 PM

Welcome to FV! I wouldn't feel too bad about the cable bill if that is your only form of entertainment. It's okay to cut back in some areas so that you can splurge a little more in others, as long as you can afford to do so! You will find lots of great tips on trimming down your grocery budget here.