What's your biggest frugal struggle?

**PrairieRose** · 10-06-2007, 09:07 AM

The one thing that could undo your frugality if you just let go and ran with it? For me it would be buying clothes and accessories. Especially now that I've lost so much weight. I could just really (and have to admit have at weak moments but got control of myself again) go nuts. What's yours?

**baxjul** · 10-06-2007, 09:35 AM

Buying things for my dd and family. I hardly ever buy myself stuff, but go way overboard on them.

Also books!!!!!!

**latierra84** · 10-06-2007, 09:50 AM

i think its also clothes for me. at work so many of the women never ever wear the same thing twice. sometimes i get to feeling bad about my clothes because its gotten to be where it feels like a uniform, i just swap out clothes week after week always the same thing. once in a while i'll decide that i deserve something new and so i'll hit ross or the clearance racks at the mall and before you know it, ive got so many things under my arm that are a "great find/great price" and although its too small or not exactly a color that i love, i'll buy it anyways because its "such a great deal". - ive learned that at the end of the day, those ladies might have tons of clothes and shopping is how they actually escape stresses of their daily lives, but id much rather be at home with dh watching one of our shows then out spending money because i cant possibly wear something that ive already worn to work before, heaven forbid!

**mickee311** · 10-06-2007, 09:55 AM

Well, I don't buy anything for myself directly, so I guess it would be clothes for the kids and dh, and mostly kitchen stuff. I love new small appliances, toys, anything that will put some more fun (as if there could be more) into cooking.

I also could go way overboard on sales combined with coupons, this isn't a financial struggle, but if I can get stuff free or nearly for free, I load up. Sometimes a little more than I should...lol I have a good 450 cans of tomato and chicken noodle soup from a big sale at Kroger...Let me put it this way, if there were ever a world war, we would be set for a very long time.

**guest002** · 10-06-2007, 09:57 AM

Shopping at Target too often and buying clothes for myself.

**Jaded** · 10-06-2007, 10:39 AM

Mine is finding something I want to eat in my totally overstocked house. I have a houseful of food, and end up going out for Chinese. I need to cook more. I'm actually a great cook, but I buy all the food, and then don't cook it. It's harder when you don't have to cook for anyone but yourself.

**jsmla** · 10-06-2007, 11:54 AM

Mine is definately sitting at home. I loved going out to dinner or taking a quickie trip somewhere. I take care of my father-in-law (Alzheimer's patient) and am completely housebound most of the time. I really loved taking off for New Orleans or the beach when I had a week-end off. Trying to find free/inexpensive things to do around Baton Rouge is not nearly as much fun.

I'm also not so keen on spending my only morning off hunting down sales at the grocery and drug stores. I've always hated shopping. It's too soon to say for sure but I think we've probably cut our grocery/eating out budget by at least half, so I think it's worth it, maybe.

Jennifer

**peanut** · 10-06-2007, 12:45 PM

Hobbies and entertainment. Hobbies are more of a temptation because they're easier to slip past DH. He doesn't want to go to the symphony, ballet, theatre, etc., and those are relatively expensive here, so he notices them. I nickel and dime myself on hobbies such as quilting, rug hooking, stitching, etc.

**thrifty gal** · 10-06-2007, 01:44 PM

It's definitely eating out for me.

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-06-2007, 01:50 PM

Eating out, and not making lunches for my husband so that he ends up eating out.

**annymoll** · 10-06-2007, 02:04 PM

1.)Antiques. 2.)The grandkids.3.)Travel.I indulge myself in all, without guilt, but reign in for principle (even above frugality.)

**genesisgirl** · 10-06-2007, 02:11 PM

My weak spot is groceries. I love to cook, and my three guys love to eat! I also tend to overspend on my hobbies, handmade card making and gardening.

**gentledenny** · 10-06-2007, 03:16 PM

Yep , eating out is the one thing i struggle with. I sit at home and i look in the fridge and freezer and there are lots of things that just require a few minute mircowave defrost but i think. Applebys chicken fried Chicken. Country barbq sirlion burger with onions and gravy, Cracker barrel, veggie plate with one of the beggies the big salad, OK i am out of here be back later. hehehehe

**Kitten20** · 10-06-2007, 04:13 PM

I have 3 weaknesses (I know, I'm bad!) My first and biggest is eating out. I love to eat out and my boyfriend & I both work FT, so I try to justify it by telling myself that we're both too tired to cook. Second is groceries -- I buy a lot of stuff that isn't on my list and end up going $20 over-budget every shopping trip, but I am getting better about this. Last is stuff for my pets -- toys, treats, beds, you name it and they have it. Spoiled rotten little pooches. But they are my babies.