How frugal are we really?

[vishenda]

Hey! guys I would like for you to stop and think about the things that you do in everyday to REALLY live frugal!!!!

As for me:
We cook from scratch.

Some of these things started by us learning to live on one income but for the most part they're more about living naturally now...

[lgslgs]

We grow a lot of our food, cook from scratch, make soup stock out of any vegetable trimmings, compost the trimmings after the soup stock is done, and then use the compost to grow more food.

Lynda

[baking23]

Originally Posted by lgslgs

We grow a lot of our food, cook from scratch, make soup stock out of any vegetable trimmings, compost the trimmings after the soup stock is done, and then use the compost to grow more food.

Lynda

Ditto, we used to keep pigs, and then eat the pigs, but I don't work there anymore. Everytime I throw greasey, meat things out, I keep thinking all I need is a pig.

[PRICEPLUS]

I spend no money unless it is necessary! I try to do that every day!

[MonkeyMama]

I am with you on the cooking thing.

We don't spend a lot of money on entertainment. I know dh needs his cable and movie rentals, but we don't go to events that cost money for the most part. WE try to look for free and low cost activities for the kids. We don't really go out and pay for entertainment like movies and such. We love concerts and went to many as poor college kids, but these days the price tags are insane, we just refuse to play along.

For the most part we don't buy stuff we don't need. There are exceptions, but I don't understand why people buy 80% of what they buy - hehe. BEauty treatments, knick knacks, brand name items, etc., etc.

Used cars is frankly the biggest way we save money though. I Feel like I am thousands ahead of my friends who insist on buying a brand new car every few years. & yet they can't seem to get ahead. To me this simple strategy - buying used cars - alone could be a great key to frugalness.

Along the same vein, refusing to buy anything with high interest rate debt is a very frugal thing if you ask me. Few people take this stance, and another way I Feel we have saved thousands over the years.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I cook from scratch because my BUTT is fat. Sorry but eating out makes me fatter. I could afford it and enjoy it, but 1 week of eating out (thanksgiving) with family visiting, blew my "diet". Sigh, I've gained about 5 lbs. Back to watching what I eat. Too bad eating out food tastes so darn good.

[Aleta]

When meat is on sale, I will be a larger piece and it will become 3 different meals. My husband doesn't like leftovers, but I do, so I'll have it for lunch. I also will make a large dish of lasagna, eggplant parmesan, spaghetti sauce, or chili. I freeze portions for my husband and I for future meals.

When we go on vacation and have total kitchen facilities, I cook up and freeze meals in a seal a meal machine. I can't tell you how great it is to just thaw, heat, and serve. Of course this is if you don't have far to drive. We premake our hamburger patties too. It's really a big saver.

[Ima saver]

I think I save a lot of money by keeping my hot water off all day long and keeping the heat set on 60 all the time. It has not run since Wednesday.
I also agree with not buying stuff we really don't need. I never spend money on hair, nails, high maintence type stuff!!

[Aleta]

I, like Ima started turning my water heater off everyday again. My husband had been working in our sons home and has been gone for a few days and it's amazing how I don't have to keep turning off lights.

I truly believe what what I read that it is the everday stuff that keeps us from reaching our financial goals. It's not necessary a big ticket item that you save from, because how often do you buy a TV, a car, furniture, etc. But how often do you turn on the water, lights, use toothpaste, wash your hair and the list is endless.

[shepav]

I think planning a menu has really helped in making us frugal. We've also started using the library a lot more as far a resource for free entertainment. No Television causes us to be a little more creative!

[Thrifty Ray]

Home cooking- and really trying to keep the grocery bill as low as my family will tolerate

I let my daughter cut my hair for me.

We heat with firewood from my DHs firewood business

I wear/use my clothes until they are deader than dead! (buy comfy clothes...that eventually become at home only clothes- then work in the wood yard clothes- then pjs - then rags)

Use the smallest amount of cleaning supplies necessary to do the job. Add a little water to the almost empty detergent to get it all out.

[Ima saver]

I definately agree with the clothes part. I am wearing moccasins that have holes in them right now.

[vsjhoc]

Originally Posted by Aleta

I also will make a large dish of lasagna, eggplant parmesan, spaghetti sauce, or chili.

Aleta - Would you be willing to post your recipe for eggplant parm on the "recipes" thread? Thanks!

[getforfree]

I was wearing my only work pants ( yes, I have only one) for about 4 weeks after it started having holes there. Because I waited for the ones i liked to go on sale for at least 50% off. So I bought 2 exactly the same pants because they comfy and supposed to last for at least 3 yrs if worn every day and I paid only 10.99 for each. The ones that got holes in them I wear at home and for things like grocery shopping. They lasted me over 4 yrs, the same brand and similar style that I bought now. I have some nice clothes, but they are only for going out and other special ocasions, so most of them still look like new, even tho I have them since I was a teen.

I always cook from scratch. I change my recipes in many ways, like if I don't have an ingredient needed, or use less of the most expencive ones. I make "whatever you have" soups and salads. Some of them turned out so well, that my uncle asked me for a recipe, but too bad, I forgot what and how much exactly I put there, so I said, whatever you have in your kitchen, mix it all, and you might get this. I was joking, and then I wrote down the list of ingredients, but wasn't sure of the amounts.

I try to use less everything: electricity, gas, detergent, hot water, cleaning supplies, soap and shampoo, even food, especially junk food.

I hang my laundry when the weather is good, if not, I spin it about 3 times, and than hang it inside overnight, and then dry for about 15 min in most cases, rarely 20. I also combine 2 loads in the dryer, but take a few large items out, like pants or shirts, and hang it in the bathroom, I have enough space for about 5 items.

I grow vegetables. Even now I still have tomatoes and beets outside. We usually have no frost here, so I hope they will survive untill christmass.

I mow my lawn and wash my cars myself.

Dh fixes everything himself. He is good at it.

My kids wear each other's at home clothes whenever one of them runs out of the clean ones, even tho they are a boy and a girl, and have 2 yrs differnce in age. My DD wears my son's clothes that are small for him.

It's a pretty long list, but that's not all yet.

[savvy06]

I love to cook, and I cook from scratch, and buy almost everything in bulk at Sams. We hardly eat out, and if we do it's mostly for special occasions, or if sometimes I simply don't feel like cooking, but that's very rare. We also always eat our leftovers, or freeze them for another time.

As far as fresh fruits and vegetables, I go to the local ethnic fruit market where everything is much cheeper than the chain grocery store. I also purchase from there our deli meat. Husband takes sandwiches for work lunch and his favorite krakus polish ham is $4.99 compare to $7.99 at the big chain grocery store. Same with cheese and other deli stuff.

As far as clothes, we buy good brand quality that will last many years. Around the house we wear old stuff, but when we go places we have to look presentable.

The last time we went to the movies was probably 3 years ago, the library has good selection for only a dollar a movie. The books are free and we love to read. We also love to travel, and now that our daughter is old enough we look forward to some nice vacations. Of course, we'll have to look out for any good deals.

We don't allow each other spending pocket money, simply because we don't need them. We do carry emergency money in our wallets, but always use credit cards for neccessery purchases, and we pay them in full each cycle. We simply don't buy anything unless we need it.

[vishenda]

Originally Posted by PRICEPLUS

I spend no money unless it is necessary! I try to do that every day!

same boat, I ALWAYS try to, but its hard

[vishenda]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I think I save a lot of money by keeping my hot water off all day long and keeping the heat set on 60 all the time. It has not run since Wednesday.
I also agree with not buying stuff we really don't need. I never spend money on hair, nails, high maintence type stuff!!

But I am a girl sometimes

[BCHGRL]

My frugality is relative. Compared to some coworkers who spend $10 on lunch every day, I am very frugal. I am sure that in comparison to many of you I am not frugal at all.

I strive to balance frugality with enjoying the fruit of my labor. For instance, I could drink tap water which tastes awful at my house or I could stop at the convenience store and buy a bottled water everyday. Instead, I buy bottled water in bulk each week and take it with me. I am being somewhat frugal without totally compromising what I enjoy.

[doodles44]

Originally Posted by BCHGRL

My frugality is relative. Compared to some coworkers who spend $10 on lunch every day, I am very frugal. I am sure that in comparison to many of you I am not frugal at all.

I strive to balance frugality with enjoying the fruit of my labor. For instance, I could drink tap water which tastes awful at my house or I could stop at the convenience store and buy a bottled water everyday. Instead, I buy bottled water in bulk each week and take it with me. I am being somewhat frugal without totally compromising what I enjoy.

I agree with BCHGRL - I pack my lunch everyday (not one of those lean cuisine meals!). If I'm to eat out a meal at work, it's usually breakfast which is cheaper - although this is rare. I will usually just get a Wawa coffee.

I clip coupons, wait for things to go on sale, and do not spend a lot on entertainment compared to my other 20-somethings. It's not frugal but it's saving money.

[Thrifty Ray]

Somedays I am better at frugality than others. And there are even days where I am not frugal at all.

I did make a list of things that I wouldnt buy for the rest of 2006 that Ive tried to really stick to...and it has kept me on track for ME.

But I do not have the total buy-in from my housemates (DH and DD3)....who do not get the same satisfaction from FREE toothpaste or shampoo if it is a little different than what they are used to. Nor did they agree to forego soda's and pricey treats....I find that I am less frugal for their needs and wants than for mine.

But I guess every little bit helps...and so I will continue to save where I can.