Is frugality easy for you?

[thekid]

Like most things in life, frugal is relative.

I was raised in a relatively low income, fairly frugal environment. My parents did well with their circumstances and have always been consumer debt free, mortgage free for most of their lifes and, in latter years, been able to help with high tuition fees for their kids and live comfortably.

My gf's family had high income and was (still is) VERY frugal. They became very wealthy.

Albeit from slightly different family backgrounds, my gf and I have very similar money habits. Overall, we tend to be much (by a mile) more frugal than our friends and colleagues in our professions. Relative to our parents, well, we are much less frugal than hers and somewhat similar to mine.

Basically, I would consider us to be "mid range" frugal. In absolute terms, we are not that frugal at all (we could be much more frugal). With regards to our income (and the percentage we keep as savings), we are pretty good.

I don't know that I want to push for a more frugal lifestyle at this point. Our savings are good. Our net worths are good. When projecting our financial situation into the future, it seems good. So we have a "limited indulgence" lifestyle. We are pretty simple people. Don't define ourselves by our house / stuff. Don't have much of a materialistic/egoistical drive. But, also, don't overly limit ourselves. I suspect many people here would not find us to be much frugal in some areas, I also suspect most of my friends/entourage find us frugal to a fault. Bah, our current balance seems to be working for us notwithsatnding

[athenagoddess]

just joined today..finding this very interesting. i find that by being frugal (in every possible way} i can live well and do all the things i want. it is easier sometimes when one lives alone, as i do, because it is not necessary to compromise. look forward to learning here and as time goes by will share some of my little tidbits. am sure some will be too frugal! lol

[thekid]

Originally Posted by athenagoddess

just joined today..finding this very interesting. i find that by being frugal (in every possible way} i can live well and do all the things i want. it is easier sometimes when one lives alone, as i do, because it is not necessary to compromise. look forward to learning here and as time goes by will share some of my little tidbits. am sure some will be too frugal! lol

Welcome!

This is a great site. You'll enjoy reading/participating on here.

[herm4]

Originally Posted by athenagoddess

just joined today..finding this very interesting. i find that by being frugal (in every possible way} i can live well and do all the things i want. it is easier sometimes when one lives alone, as i do, because it is not necessary to compromise. look forward to learning here and as time goes by will share some of my little tidbits. am sure some will be too frugal! lol

Welcome!!
I really believe that being frugal is an addiction for me. I love figuring out ways to save money. I couldn't live without my coupons, my price matching, my freebie websites, etc.... It all twirls around in my head all day, making me happy. Weird, I know.

[Ima saver]

I agree with disneysteve. I made sure that my future husband felt the same way about money as I did and that he would agree to let me handle all the money. When he met me, I had a paid for house so he must have felt like I was doing something right.

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by athenagoddess

it is easier sometimes when one lives alone, as i do, because it is not necessary to compromise. look forward to learning here and as time goes by will share some of my little tidbits. am sure some will be too frugal! lol

That's very true! When I was married, it was a world of communication and compromise. Nothing wrong with that as it was par for the course. However, now, I can push as hard and fast as I want with my finances, and there's no one but myself to answer to.

[Aleta]

Unfortunately, the significant other and me were 17 when we met and married. I don't know too many people who know that much about the other at that age. It is difficult for me at times. For instance, he'll say let's add on these channels on the satellite without realizing or knowing how much the satellite has gone up. He attempts to make me feel guilty if I dissagree about adding the channels. Problem is that the few months they give you doesn't stop there. So, that's what I meant when I said it can be a thorn to be married to a non frugal person.

[Broken Arrow]

After going through what I've gone through, I have absolutely no interest in dating someone who is not at least understanding of being frugal and financially responsible.... Assuming that I want to date at all. My mom is already nagging me about that, and how I need to get out more now, but to also be careful about who I date. Ok ok, thanks mom.

[Cassandra]

It was very, very hard for me to become frugal. We had a pretty lavish lifestyle before and it was such an a culture shock to have to live on a strict budget.

It's getting easier though. I still like to shop. Not as much as before and I've learned to become more picky in what I buy instead of just buying to buy things. It's liberating to buy something nice that you've saved up for.

Cassandra

[Fern]

I've been doing it for so long, it's more or less my lifestyle. My grandparents were that way. But i'm often tempted by things, too. I don't like deprivation as a way of life. When i spend, i try to do so CONSCIOUSLY, thinking about the purchase carefully and how important is it to me. It helps me eliminate a lot of small spending on useless decorative stuff or knickknacks of which i have plenty already. If i spend it's usually on more important items.

And i do spend a lot on food, much of it organic and 'healthy' stuff, cus 'i'm worth it.'

Being single i just feel a lot more responsibility to take care of myself financially than perhaps if i was married.

[Caoineag]

hmmm...I am pretty sure that the only people who think me frugal are my friends and colleagues who are maxed out to the hilt. But then, I am currently transitioning to a cheaper lifestyle since I let spending get out of hand (went from college to a well paying job, the first year we went a little nuts). I am used to being extremely poor though so even when I switch fully to being as frugal as I will ever be, I doubt it will be difficult. Its still more luxurious than I am used to. But I am doing this gradually as well so that helps.

[irmanator]

we were always low income therefore frugal, parents were divorced but mom had a decent house for us but we didn't get atari or anything like that

[LivingAlmostLarge]

My husband was raised by frugal parents so he's naturally frugal. Me not so much so. I have to work the muscle because I have spendthrift parents. BUT my parents were also savers, they had to set aside money or else they'd blow it.

That's me. Everything is automated because I have trouble saying no. But I'm way better now. Now I put it back and say if I want it I can get it tomorrow or the next day and if i come back I get it.

[PauletteGoddard]

Frugality isn't easy for me. I was born and raised poor, and still feel I am missing out on what my raised middle-class peers enjoy. I don't buy junk because it litters my life even more than my "reasonable" clutter (pay stubs, receipts) and I get no satisfaction from the junk.

I can spend less than I make. I can reject and tune out the siren songs of advertisements. I can train myself to shop for clothes and items at Goodwill and Value Village. It's the organizing and planning in advance and spending time at garage sales and on craigslist that I need help with (I have attention deficit disorder).

[Graham]

Its easy for me since I have everything I need and have pulled it off in style. Stop and think about what your buying and make a very deliberate and calculated decision on all you're purchases. To cut wasteful spending you must eliminate impulse purchases.

[i-endeavors]

I like a good challenge, and have fun trying to stay within a certain budget. Plus I really like to make money, and it's more fun to watch the money I didn't waste grow into more money.

[Coleroo]

i think frugality is a state of mind and a habit one has to form using the right "thought" words.... like if you go around thinking all the time "this sucks, i deserve that new whatsit, blah blah" frugality is going to always be terrible. but if you fill your mind with positive frugality -- "i love my couch..why would i need another one????" or "i appreciate what i have and im very fortunate!" or "im so proud that we can afford to pay cash for this big thingy because i didnt waste money on piddly objects"... etc.

its taken me over two years to transform from a heavily debted shopaholic with no savings (and no clue how to save) to someone who abhors interest, doesn't use credit cards, and has two almost completely paid off brand new cars. i still get tempted by wants and desires but NOW my inner frugal voice is more prominent in my thoughts than my spending voice. i no longer get exileration over shopping and im able to override my wants and desires - and bam, once im out of the store, i feel lighter and proud that i overcame a buying desire i once was unable to stop. and all in all i am now truly truly happy and appreciative for the items i do own.

[leggzz66]

being frugal makes me happy! Its a joy. My dh loves it too and why he trusts me with our family budget, cause he knows i wont blow it. and we also have 2 cars. Ours are paid for, not new tho. a 98 chrysler and a 99 windstar. we dont have a mortgage either. Just standard bills, but thier killers! We live in co op territory, and everything ive done to save on electric has been a waste of time. I replaced all my bulbs, did the plug bar for electronics, cold water washing and at first it all brought my bill down in half! but now that ive done that my co op raised the kwh price on me. so im back where i was. I wish there was something i could do about that. my bill for oct to nov is 106.00. thats just electric too tho. I have a propane furnace and cook stove, so what else could i do, i already took all the advice ive found and could use. solar is the only one i havent, but ive been to all those sites, and the bootheel of missouri(s.e tip, looks like a boot heel) is not in the solar programs availability.

[shelbylovesmelby]

Originally Posted by mom-from-missouri

For our family, its become a way of life--not hard at all.

Exactly! + my family didn't have alot of $ for extras so being frugal was a part of everyday life. It's nice to splurge once in a while but w/ the costs of everything going up it's best to keep your finances in check.

[mahanda]

frugality comes naturally as my parents were children of the great depression, but this evening it is hard (that is why i am on the site tonight - needed a little moral support). a nasty divorce left me deeply in debt, but i am sure i will make it out of the pit--just going slower than i like.
i enjoy getting the best i can for the money i earn.
like to buy green and pre-loved whenever possible
my "hobbies" are recycled crafts-- i love making treasures out of trash