Are your kids frugal minded?

**Patty A** · 01-02-2009, 01:05 PM

Have your kids picked up on your frugal ways?

I know for a fact at least a couple of mine have. I have to admit to being proud when my kids pick up ways to save on things they are doing, buying, or want. I really see it when we shop, they love to find the bargins.......they compare everything. The other day they was all tickled because they found a bargin on 5# bags of flour that was much cheaper than the others. I love it that they really pay attention to the prices of things. My daughters went shopping just before Christmas. They came home with all kinds of new shirts. They was on clearance for a dollar and they really had fun buying for such a small amount.

Does your kids look for bargains?

**homesteadmamma** · 01-02-2009, 01:13 PM

Our 3 older ones aren't. We weren't frugal when they were growing up. Our oldest son does well, however he certainly isn't frugal like we are.

Our younger kids were with us when we became frugal. Our youngest dd is frugal to the core. She is wise with her money and very cautious with how she spends and what she spends her well earned money on. Ds#1 is frugal somewhat, however he loves to spend. He is more frugal when he's with me and I'm spending our money, rather than when he is spending his money.

**3tomboys** · 01-02-2009, 01:20 PM

I would have to say yes to some things, no to others. My oldest dd just turned 18 and will be starting college in the fall. She has been accepted to a college in Northern Nevada but has decided it is financially better for her to stay at home and attend the University here. So I feel she is thinking frugal. However, I have been finding quite a bit of money in the laundry lately. It goes in the change jar but it hasn't been change. In 3 days I collected $41 and I thought the message had been received when the bills were put in the jar, but I was worng. The load of laundry I did this morning before leaving for work had $21 in it. So they aren't taking very good care of there money. So in this area I would have to say no to frugality. They are all good about shopping sales for clothng and have no problem with the thrift stores. They are also very good savers and all have savings accounts.

**Buc-O-Mama** · 01-02-2009, 01:27 PM

We have three teenagers that are getting it. They hit the clearance rack first when they shop, save the bags inside cereal boxes to be reused, do pretty well on conserving energy. They appreciate leftovers and take care of their stuff. They also don't expect to make trips out of the way that burn too much gas. None of them turn up their nose at yard sale or Goodwill finds. We're working on the longish hot showers, but other than that, they are pretty frugally minded.

**MoonMommy** · 01-02-2009, 01:52 PM

Kindof...however it manifests as more packrattish instead of actually frugal. My oldest understands, to some extent, that "money doesn't grow on trees" and that we can't just buy whatever we want. However he thinks that if you go shopping (even for groceries) that you should buy HIM something special. LOL

**LastDragonfly** · 01-02-2009, 02:06 PM

My two older kids 24/18---gaaaaa no (but I remain hopefull)

My two younger kids 11/7- You betcha! My 11 year old is a borderline EBENEEZER. She has a little job with a friend of mine on Saturdays. Works 2 hours=$12. She's saved $$200 so far. $150 is in her bank account! The other she calls her "murphy stash"

When we go to HL both girls head straight to the clearance aisle. Both girls still have $$ on their gift cards from the summer time.

One loves to recycle, the other is getting the hang of it.

**pollypurebred39** · 01-02-2009, 02:19 PM

My oldest yes, to a fault. My youngest no, a little spendthrift that one is.

My oldest is still struggling with pennywise pound foolish. He also will buy clearance items to put on his gift shelf just because they are clearance, not because the vase is perfect for Aunt Hilda and it's inexpensive. Aunt Hildla's birthday will roll around and he will want to give that vase to Aunt Hilda even though Aunt hilda hates flowers. Not a thoughtful gift even if it was cheap. He had an entire shelf of useless gifts this year because he bought only with price in mind and was unable to match them to a person. So all that money was wasted.

He also does the same kind of thing when food shopping. It is not a good deal (even if it is cheap)if you are not going to eat it. Same goes for clothing. He is still working on it and is only 19, by the time he marries and moves out I hope that he will glean better skills.

**StartingOver** · 01-02-2009, 02:36 PM

My ds14 is very frugal. He is making wise decisions since he has gotten a job. So far he has received 8 checks, and has deposited all into savings but 2 of them. He loves seeing his account grow. When we hit the mall, he heads straight to the clearance racks and hardly gives the other items a glance.

My dd9 is learning. Right now she is totally into recycling. She enjoys going to Thrift stores and looking and seeing how much she can get for $5

I've become a little more open to my son about bills and how much things cost. And have been honest about some of the decisions we've made in order to save money.

**Darlene** · 01-02-2009, 02:45 PM

One definately is tighter with the money than the other, it's always been that way. One is :money: the other :flyingmoney:
It's getting better tho for the one. Some life lessons have to be learned the hard way.

**zakity** · 01-02-2009, 04:51 PM

Yep, they are all pretty frugal. The oldest is better than the twins, but that might be age related too.

For xmas this year, we told them that they were getting cash instead of presents. It actually turned out great. They have been researching prices all year long to get the most for their money. The twins want legos and Beak wants to save up for a Wii.

**NovaMater** · 01-02-2009, 09:19 PM

My daughter is somewhat. She's a pretty well-educated consumer for a kindergartner, that's for sure! I've explained why we buy store brand yogurt rather than the kind with her favorite superstar's face on it, and I've heard her repeating the rationale to her friends

**khjmom** · 01-02-2009, 09:41 PM

They take it by spells....but we are still in the learning stages. My dd is the one I worry about the most. She does well for awhile...and then totally blows a bunch of money because it's what her friends are doing. Drives me crazy.

**Jskell911** · 01-03-2009, 12:11 AM

I am happy to say my son is really on board. Which actually kinda shocks me. He was always a gimmee, gimmee, I want kinda kid. But in the past two years he has really enjoyed the frugal adventure.

Point:

He saved for his own Wii and wanted a PS3 this year for Christmas. I explained we just could not afford it, but struck a deal that if he could save 1/2 by his Birthday (October) then we would pitch in the rest as his gift. He thought about it, stuck out his hand to shake and said "You've got a deal. Besides this will give us all plenty of time to save"

He also thinks that paying full price is silly "Because everything either gets a coupon or goes on sale". LOL

**cab54** · 01-03-2009, 09:37 AM

DS25 is frugal. He makes me look bad. Gives me the stink-eye if I have to throw any food away. Wears clothing till it is all holey (around the house) and threadbare. Uses the same drinking glass until I wrench it out of his hand to wash it.

DS22 is most decidedly not frugal. But I am working on him. He is getting much better. He is not a materialistic young man, he is just not thinking at times.