Becks
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Joined: Jan 5, 2011 22:36:58 GMT -5
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Post by Becks on Feb 10, 2011 22:57:16 GMT -5
Frugal fatigue? Maybe just a wee bit sometimes. When I find something that I can use but don't have to have, I generally walk around the store and think it over before it goes in my cart. I have been pretty frugal most of my adult life so it's just the way I operate in general. Yet I do not deprive myself of the occasional treat, such as eating out with friends. I have to nourish my soul as well, even if it's going to Subway and having a chat and a few laughs.
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Post by kadee on Feb 11, 2011 14:23:22 GMT -5
I was raised by parents who went thru the depression. It has always been a way of life for me. I feel guilty when I spend very much money...that is more stressful to me than being frugal!
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museumgal
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Joined: Jan 11, 2011 1:24:36 GMT -5
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Post by museumgal on Feb 11, 2011 21:02:00 GMT -5
There's definitely some in my house when it comes to the food budget. If we're both tired from work we just give in and order something...we try to keep it small but it adds up, even if it's just once a week. I tell myself that's what the misc catagory in the budget is for -- except its really not, that's supposed to be for if we need a new space heater or electric blanket or some such. I've got to figure out a way to get the food back under control. Of course now that I think about it the dramatic increase in food prices lately might just mean the food budget isn't going as far as it used to. We used to eat out (I mean like Subway level) once a week and it never used to strain the food budget this much.
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Frugal Nurse
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Joined: Jan 3, 2011 18:19:55 GMT -5
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Post by Frugal Nurse on Feb 12, 2011 8:18:40 GMT -5
There's definitely some in my house when it comes to the food budget. If we're both tired from work we just give in and order something...we try to keep it small but it adds up, even if it's just once a week. I tell myself that's what the misc catagory in the budget is for -- except its really not, that's supposed to be for if we need a new space heater or electric blanket or some such. I've got to figure out a way to get the food back under control. Of course now that I think about it the dramatic increase in food prices lately might just mean the food budget isn't going as far as it used to. We used to eat out (I mean like Subway level) once a week and it never used to strain the food budget this much. Can you cut out a little bit from several other areas from your budget so you can create a "dining out" category in your budget? If you plan for it, it won't seem like such a big deal when you spend the $$. I don't know what your financial situation is, but unless it is pretty dire (like facing bankruptcy or such), there is no reason you can't eat out once a week.
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djmj3284
New Member
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 19:13:56 GMT -5
Posts: 38
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Post by djmj3284 on Feb 12, 2011 11:54:47 GMT -5
I was getting really tired of not being able to buy anything, but I got a small windfall that I'm using to do some home maintenance that was getting defferred and I feel much better again.
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Deleted
Joined: May 18, 2024 22:13:54 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2011 17:55:08 GMT -5
Yes, sometimes I DO have frugal fatigue. I am not really very frugal. I TRY to be, but I have a hard time staying the course. I am a work in progess that is for sure.
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dogmom
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Joined: Dec 20, 2010 7:00:49 GMT -5
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Post by dogmom on Feb 12, 2011 19:32:24 GMT -5
Sometimes, I think, it would be easier to just "spend" the money on (fill in the blank), but, thinking back of years ago, there wasn't that much pleasure in the splurge once it was done. And there certainly wasn't any pleasure in making ends meet to pay for it. I do feel however, for anyone trying to "get ahead" (if you can) it's becoming impossible. I think it's more of a frustration.
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murphath
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Joined: Dec 22, 2010 16:12:33 GMT -5
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Post by murphath on Feb 17, 2011 12:59:04 GMT -5
I'm a regular on the Grocery Challenge thread and have saved a ton of money with their advice/support. In my case, frugality is a necessity as my DH's business suffered tremendously during the economic downturn (after 30 yrs!). But he was able to find a temp job and now that has ended, he has another. I'm actually retired although using the Grocery Challenge techniques keeps me busy enough! I do get a bit burned out with that sometimes and give myself a break from it. But then I read the posts and my energy level increases. I've also joined the WIR Savers to motivate saving for Christmas 2011. It isn't that I don't already do the saving, it's just nice to "be in the same boat", so to speak. With regard to shopping, there really isn't anything I crave--unless I go into Lowe's and see all the beautiful kitchen stuff. I have to avoid that area at all costs! Once our son is out of college (2012), our budget will be a great deal better, but being frugal has now become a lifestyle. When we get one of those Kohl's $10 off min. $20 purchase, I go wild!
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museumgal
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 11, 2011 1:24:36 GMT -5
Posts: 164
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Post by museumgal on Feb 18, 2011 23:29:47 GMT -5
There's definitely some in my house when it comes to the food budget. If we're both tired from work we just give in and order something...we try to keep it small but it adds up, even if it's just once a week. I tell myself that's what the misc catagory in the budget is for -- except its really not, that's supposed to be for if we need a new space heater or electric blanket or some such. I've got to figure out a way to get the food back under control. Of course now that I think about it the dramatic increase in food prices lately might just mean the food budget isn't going as far as it used to. We used to eat out (I mean like Subway level) once a week and it never used to strain the food budget this much. Can you cut out a little bit from several other areas from your budget so you can create a "dining out" category in your budget? If you plan for it, it won't seem like such a big deal when you spend the $$. I don't know what your financial situation is, but unless it is pretty dire (like facing bankruptcy or such), there is no reason you can't eat out once a week. I probably need to separate a catagory out for eating out. I try to keep it all under "food" to keep as few catagories as possible. so it's less micro managing...but it would probably be a better way to keep track of eating out spending. It's just been more difficult lately because we're trying to squeeze some extra savings out of our budget to prepare for a new baby.
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Deleted
Joined: May 18, 2024 22:13:54 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2011 11:11:18 GMT -5
I don't have frugal fatigue cause I'm not frugal right now! Oh man!
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donnafreedman
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Smart Spending Host
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Post by donnafreedman on Feb 19, 2011 12:01:56 GMT -5
I wrote about this last week on my website, saying that I have frugal-fatigue fatigue -- that is to say, I'm tired of hearing the term bandied about as though it were "news" because: 1. A lot of people live this way for the long term (and don't have the luxury of "fatigue") 2. I'm wondering how many people who said they were fatigued are actually the people who think that "frugal" means shopping at a sample sale 3. I'm afraid it's the precursor to, "Come on, we've been frugal long enough -- let's go shopping!" www.donnafreedman.com/2011/02/14/i-have-frugal-fatigue-fatigue/
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Post by isabella on Feb 19, 2011 12:10:32 GMT -5
ya know laterbloomer .... I'm having some frustration with all this as well!
I'm starting to think I have unrealistic expectations of what a proper on the frugal side spending amount should look like for my household?!?!?! That or I am simply in denial, convinced I'm being frugal and failing at it! I keep telling myself I am a newbie, I can do it - I can do it, one month at a time .... I seriously think some set up their budgets differently than I, just haven't figured it out yet. Anyone have helpful hints? I see people with larger families (I think) spending less than I do and find myself wondering how are they doing it? eta .... Donna just saw your post and link, will check it out.
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Post by isabella on Feb 19, 2011 12:29:53 GMT -5
great article Donna! not only am I failing at being 'frugal' I have now determined I am a whiner about it too!! Going to put some more thought into this
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Post by texaspn on Feb 19, 2011 14:01:43 GMT -5
It's just way more satisfying to finish the month in the black! I would feel more stressed out if we were not being frugal. There are enough things that come up that require spending money you hadn't planned on.
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daylight
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 15:24:19 GMT -5
Posts: 195
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Post by daylight on Feb 19, 2011 17:24:02 GMT -5
A bit, yes. I learnt that I might face a difficult work transition so started to save double what I usually save back in September. This meant a(n almost full) stop on any wants. Come February, I had to deal with some high cost needs. I could cover them all, but still, I need to save every penny, so I had to watch every penny...and it was not fun. I realized that I've become accustomed to have my needs covered without penny pinching. Also, I thought that frustration purchases are above me, now that I've been reading YM for 8 months or so, but they are not. On the plus side, my frustration purchase ended up being a pair of fake and cheap earrings, so there is hope for me after all.
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