Being single and frugal...

**AutoMan32** · 12-12-2011, 07:57 PM

I was living the single life, and it actually cost me more money

because I tried impressing other females and going out to bars, having fun- so I scaled back got a gf and now my expenses are in order lol

**TxGypsy** · 02-13-2012, 11:58 PM

Simply being single saves me a LOT of money as my ex was a huge financial drain.

I actually lean the other way where food is concerned. I indulge myself. I have changed my diet to being a vegetarian with raw/vegan leanings. My health has improved so dramatically that I am happy to spend a bit extra on lots of fresh veggies. Food is cheaper than meds and doctors! Even with being lavish on the veggies, I spend less now than I did when I was an omnivore. Hmmm, just realized I spend more on dog food than I do on human food!

During the summer my grocery bill goes down to nearly nothing as I raise almost all my food.

As far as other expenses go, I own my home, so no payments. Consistently my biggest expense is insurance and I haven't figured out a way to lower that significantly. Electric bill runs around $50, municipal water around $40...though I am working on setting up a water catchment system to eliminate that bill. Internet $40, Netflix $8(better and cheaper than cable). My main mode of transportation is my motorcycle @60 mpg and $100 a year for insurance....can't beat it for economical(and fun!).

I have found that many times you have to spend money to save money. I added a foot of insulation in my attic last summer and replaced the old A/C unit. My electric bill took a nose dive. My water catchment system will pay for itself in less than 2 years. I finally broke down and bought a vitamix blender. I kept buying the ones at wally world and burning them up. Once you add up what I've spent on blenders over the last 3 years I could have paid for 1/2 of my vitamix. Lol...now that I'm getting older I buy for longevity

**foxxyroxie** · 02-21-2012, 01:29 PM

I'm a crockpot cooking fanatic and love to make my own healthier snacks such as cookie/fruit bars, cobbler, fruit crisp, applesauce, etc. I cook extra and eat several meals in a row or freeze in portions for quick heat-and-eat dinners. I'm on a food assistance program and I get $200 a month but I never use it all unless it's around holiday time. I buy a good amount of fresh fruits and veggies and very few premade snacks, almost no soda. I am diabetic so I do spend a little more on drinks like Crystal Lite type drink mixes. The $50 to $75 I have extra goes to help someone else or is donated to the church's food pantry. I love to bake so I give baked goods as gifts.

**xtena** · 03-16-2012, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by larabelle

I completely agree!! I have found that having lots of frugal hobbies (sewing, crocheting, reading) really helps. I have had to let go of some friends as they are spendthrifts and refuse to even consider frugal/free entertainment.

sewing and crochet aren't frugal hobbies for me LOL. Of course you CAN do it cheap, but I find myself being a bit of a fabric and yarn snob and can easily spend a FORTUNE on supplies. Although I was 'good' recently and made a recycled denim quilt backed with flannel bought on super sale with coupon.

**hepzibah** · 03-28-2012, 05:48 PM

Some great tips here! I am single and new to the forums and trying to learn to live more frugally. You all have given me a lot to think about!

**Droppedonmyhead** · 03-29-2012, 10:35 AM

My Mother lives with me, so my food bill is higher than it would be if I was alone. Her tastes differ from mine a lot and she hates to have repeat meals in a row. I always made a big batch of something and would eat it until it was gone. I find that making a list of the meals I plan on making for the week helps out a lot. Then I only buy the things I need with a surprise or two for Mom. I also try to throw in a few dirt cheap meals during the week. I couldn't live without my crockpot!!!! I do a lot of meals in it. I can actually spend very little money on food when I live totally by myself.

One day when Mom first started living with me, she handed me a list and says, "these are what I require". Some things on that list were: raspberry jam, pastries, ice creams, candy bars, Oscar Mayer bacon (no other brand. . had to be OM), etc. She would also request certain fresh veggies and fruits but then wouldn't eat them. Yet anything sweet, she would gobble up with a day or two of buying it and I wouldn't even get a taste of it.

I indulged her since I was working and could afford to get her the extra things she wanted. But after I retired and started living on a fixed income, I told her that she would have to fork over the money for the things she required as I would no longer be paying for them. I don't receive any lists now. . .only requests for 1 or 2 things and she pays for them. Amazing how quickly that list disappeared.

**logans4736** · 05-05-2012, 02:02 PM

Wow, rents are really low on these posts. I pay $831 a month for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment. It is a beautiful complex and I'd like to buy a condo here eventually. The rent is low compared to apartments a few miles north of here in Orlando. There it is mostly $1000 and up. Maybe salaries are higher here though. I make $63K a year so I am well within the rent should be no more than one third of your monthly salary rule.