A simple life... ever think of giving up something BIG?

**steve-in-kville** · 12-19-2007, 03:43 PM

I'm not talking about "dropping off the grid." I thinking of the major changes you made in your quest for frugality (or simpler life). Maybe you gave up a car and used public transportation. Maybe you moved into a smaller home or apartment. Maybe you gave up using a checking account and use cash only. Maybe you've thought of giving up computers...

Love to hear your responses.

steve

**justpeachy92** · 12-19-2007, 04:23 PM

I know this might not sound frugal to some, but I don't yard sale or thrift shop anymore. I used to go almost every weekend, easily spending $50 to $100 each weekend and my house was cluttered with all these great deals I got on used items. In 2006 we relocated from Fl to NC, we only moved what fit in the POD we rented for moving, that was basically just our beds and a couple of dressers. We sold probably 99% of stuff prior to moving. Since we have moved replacing items has been a slow process because I didn't want the house cluttered with all those good deals again that really gave me no pleasure. So for me only spending money on furniture and decorations that I enjoy has been worth it. And I am not stressed out cleaning and dusting around alot of stuff. I am also noticing that buy carring this over into clothes shopping I am spending less on clothes because we have better quality clothes that last longer, so I am not replacing shoes and stuff as often.
The other major change for me has been planning stuff, doing a budget and making a meal plan, are actually sanity savers. I remember the days when I would go shopping then first, then try to figure out how to pay bills, things were always paid late and seemed we never had enough food till last till next payday.

**ktsmama** · 12-19-2007, 04:31 PM

We gave up cable about a year ago and don't miss it.

I have often thought of how it would be to give up my car. Not sure how it would work as a single mother. I think about how I would pick up my child from school if she were sick? I'm sure if push came to shove I could do it, just not yet.

**Squirt** · 12-19-2007, 04:34 PM

I'm tempted on and off to get rid of my truck. It is by far my biggest expense, and although I don't need to get rid of it and I make use of it's intended function, I can't help but think that I don't have to have it.

If I didn't have my truck, I could put half my income in savings and still live quite comfortably. But I think if I had a junker car it would break all the time. So here I am.

**PB&J** · 12-19-2007, 05:03 PM

We gave up cable for a few months once. But 4 months was as long as we made it before I was getting it hooked back up. lol

I don't buy any paper products anymore, only toilet paper. I use cloth napkins and dishclothes instead of paper towels and napkins. I also use cloth diapers the majority of the time for my 2 year old.

**cab54** · 12-19-2007, 05:56 PM

Meat.
TV.
Computer.
All of these PHONES, and go to one kitchen wall phone like when I was a kid.
Having 2 cars

**StaceyS** · 12-19-2007, 05:59 PM

As crazy as this sounds, I have given up my refridgerator. I just moved into a new apartment that came with a HUGE, OLD double door fridge that was very inefficient. I live by myself and don't drink milk or anything so it's not really that hard. A little inconvienient, but it's something I'm dealing with for now. In summer, I'll probably get a small table top fridge.
Oh, I also gave up cable. I have an antennae for local chanels and watch my favorite shows online.

**Squirt** · 12-19-2007, 06:03 PM

Actually, reconsidering the OP, I would love love love to give up what little I have of the corporate slave lifestyle. Not to be a stay-at-homer, but to live away from "civilization" and make do for myself. Problem is, I doubt I'd make it all alone and I'd need someone to do it with me.

**wulong32** · 12-19-2007, 06:28 PM

I gave up cable, most brand name things, etcetera. Im trying to think of something big that I can give up next year that would save at least $50 a month.

**IntlMom** · 12-19-2007, 06:37 PM

We went down 50K in house when we moved......we owe less than 100K and then we are debt free - including the house!

**mommymath** · 12-19-2007, 06:50 PM

We've never had TV in the 10+ years we've been together. Even when we travel, we don't have much desire to see what's on. We do watch dvd's on our laptop.

**Kitten20** · 12-19-2007, 06:54 PM

Cable TV is the biggest thing we've given up so far. We have been together 4 years and have had cable for maybe 6 months (decided it wasn't worth the $ to us). I would love to get rid of my car payment by selling my car and buying a older one with cash. 1 car unfortunately isn't an option for us right now.

**shoiji** · 12-19-2007, 07:05 PM

When things were really tight I gave up cable. My grocery allowance was $60 a month. That included paper products, cleaning products, etc., cat food & litter, and personal products.

Once car was paid off I got rid of it. Between insurance and gas it was to expensive and I was having to live on a really tight budget.

Now have cable. Without cable all I could get was law and order, or channel 12. So cable is my entertainment.

I may save up for a junker car. Just something to get me around on bad weather days or if I had to evacuate for some unknown reason. That is my biggest concern. How would I leave if I didn't have a car?

**Ebbie** · 12-19-2007, 07:10 PM

I guess the biggest thing I did is go without a car...it's been close to 11 years now that I sold my camry. I walk (I have a cart to haul groceries), take public transit, get rides from family, and I always told myself I could take a taxi if I was desperate but I've never had to do that in 11 years.

Other things some people might consider major are...no dryer in the house, I just hang dry everything. I didn't have cable for 10 years and was okay with 5 channels I got with rabbit ears but recently got satellite ($41 a month) so that I could get Turner Classic Movies...I am a real old movie buff and I am glued to that channel whenever I watch tv, so I'm really getting a lot of enjoyment out of it. I couldn't care less about most of the modern shows out there.

Nothing else really major, just the usual stuff...like buying clothes at goodwill, cooking from scratch etc. It's been working....at 44 I own my house (no mortgage), am debt free and have a good start on savings (I can now afford to work part-time only and I still save 50% of my income). I'm a longtime frugalite, at least 15 years, so just letting people know that the rewards do come in time.