How frugal are you?

[bobbysgirl]

DEAR LOVEMYLIFE: Yes indeed, we sized down to 1200 sq foot from 3000. I love it. We chose rural living, not too far from town. Absolutely the best move for us. We also got rid of a lot of things and love to shop in thrift stores for our clothes. I am alone now because DH past in July (we moved here 1 year earlier) so it is double good for me we made the move when we did. We both retired early too.

[bobbysgirl]

I am very frugal. I go the extra mile most of the time. Sometimes I am just too tired and I slip up and pitch food that I would normally save for the dog or another meal. Once in a while everyone has to splurge, so I go to the thrift store to look for a pair of jeans. It's even ok if I don't find any. I got out of the house and satisfied my need.

[lovemylife]

Sorry about your DH bobbysgirl. Thanks for the positive comments on sizing down. We ask ourselves why we need to hang on to such a big place. Lots of work to upkeep and the small home we are looking at even though it needs a lot of work is a 5 minute walk to a private beach. My DH and I are both very handy with painting, tiling and general repairs. The house we live in now we redid over 10 years a go and made it ours. We would both love more time for camping and maybe I could take up golf!! Also visiting our dear little GD's in Montana.

[coffeegrl]

It's sad to say I'm not nearly as frugal as I should/could be. I was raised in a very poor home, so as soon as I started making my own money, especially a manager's salary, I decided that I wanted the things in life as an adult that I never got as a child. I'm learning the hard way now, to not live that way. But bad habits take awhile to break, unfortunately.

[Deleted]

I'm a funny kind of frugal, mostly like old tex I guess. I try to get deals so I can get more stuff.

[Deleted]

I'm not that frugal. I just get mad whenever my wife spend any money.

[Deleted]

LOL Archie we all know you are wrapped around the fingers of both wife and daughter.

[Waffle]

I'm not anywhere near frugal enough. Although I do have a couple of items that I'm consistently frugal with. For some reason, I just hate to spend money on anything related to a vehicle. So I buy late model used vehicles and them hold on to them for about 10 years before I take the plunge and buy another one.

Also makeup, I like makeup, but I buy the cheaper drug store makeup. I have an aunt who looked just apalled when she was talking about some fancy department store makeup and I said I just buy something at the local grocery or drug store.

I'm hoping to get better at being frugal this year - I really need to build up an emergency fund.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I am pretty frugal but I am also learning to balance. When I was pregnant I decided it just was not worth the gas and exhaustion to drive all over town to two or more grocery stores to find the best deals on every single grocery item. Instead I now pick whichever store has the most best deals, especially on things like meat and dairy and go there to shop. I spend more on a can of beans, oh well.

I am trying to learn to save money where I can but don't exhaust myself doing it in the process.

[Agatha]

A former boyfriend once said of himself: "Daddy was cheap; I'm just tight-fisted." I had to laugh. One of the most generous men I've ever known. . .still know.

I can't say I'm frugal in all areas. I don't coupon unless I "happen" upon it. My grocery budget is probably more generous than some since I love to cook. But when times are a little leaner I can make dinner out of almost anything.

I own two vehicles but I paid for both with cash. I have a tendency to drive a vehicle till the wheels fall off. My shoes cost me over a hundred a pair but I am a difficult size to find, have diabetic feet, and a single pair will last me three years. Sometimes better.

I won't go to thrift stores for clothes, primarily because every time I have has been a disappointment. But I will go shopping the clearance area in a good department store once a year and snag four or five outfits to blend in with what I have. I'm not a clothes horse or fashionesta. Just basic, classic, simple.

So am I frugal? I'd rather spend money on memories; they last longer and fill me with more joy than anything else.

[Peace77]

I too, am frugal in some areas and not in others.
I often use the drying rack instead of the dryer.
I recycle grey water. (Shower water used to flush the toilet.)
I will wear a hat inside instead of turning up the heat.
I get my hair cut once a year and trim my husband's hair between his haircuts.
We don't have cable.
Recently started using tupperware style box for lunch sandwiches instead of buying so many zip lock baggies.
I bring my own drink when I leave home to avoid the temptation of buying one.


But, I like good quality chocolate from Aldi's, occasionally buy magazines and avoid fast food. (Have been sickened by McD's food too often.) I would rather buy a meal from a "healthier" type place even if it means a natural grocery store.
I will not wash a zip lock bag that has had meat in it.

[museumgal]

I try to be as frugal as possible with larger purchases, shopping around to get the best price, going over my car insurance every 6 mo... smaller things, esp. eating out, I'm not as frugal as I could be, simply because we do it more than we should. I'm trying to build this frugal idea to our lifestyle where we don't constantly need to buy "stuff".... but its harder to get the DH into this philosophy. He'd much rather buy movies or books than get them from the library for example.