Frugal by nature?
Hi all,
I was looking today at a post about saving money by curtailing your lifestyle and the 'suffering' this may or may not be causing you. I was reading down a list of suggested ways to save (you all know the kinds of things I mean) and thinking how, in many case, my inclinations are naturally in line with being frugal. Wonder if anyone else has similar feelings? What things do you find it easy to not spend money on? What things are a big challenge? I'm talking about the more discretionary types of spending here.
For example:
Coffee- We all know the Starbucks example. Well, I don't even like coffee! So no temptation to blow money at Starbucks or similar establishments. Oh, and I can buy a lot of fancy tea to make at home for the price of a few Starbucks runs. Hubby likes coffee but rarely wants anything fancy and usually drinks it at home.
Eat a Vegetarian meal once a week - I eat vegetarian meals every day of every week. Another easy score for me!
Don't spend money spoiling your kids - Don't have any. Again, inclination, reality, and frugality happily coincide.
Don't keep trading up on your car- Not much of a car person. Feel only the slightest of temptation when looking at those Mini Coopers. Hubby is happily the same.
Alcohol - Don't care for most kinds of alcohol, and half the time I can't mix it with my medication. Never enjoyed feeling tipsy, so one drink once in a long while is more than enough. Went out for our 7 year anniversary last night, we both had Root Beers at the fancy restraunt lol!
Conversely, what are your weaknesses? Where do you find you need to reign yourself in carefully? For me that would be:
Housing - OK, not really a discretionary spending thing here, but housing is mucho expensive in my area, as is home improvment. I love making our home nicer and if I had a million dollars would probably blow much of it on housing. I like having really nice things for my home. Luckily, so far I'm willing to save to get them, but man do I love spending on it when I get the money.
Pets - I really enjoy spending in this category. Especially on my fish. Always tempted to get another tank, more fish, more plants, more equipment! Have to keep to the spending budget!
How about you? What is hard and what comes naturally?
-TinyFish
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