Apple
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Post by Apple on Dec 30, 2010 12:09:40 GMT -5
This kind of goes with the "how frugal are you" thread, but I didn't want to hijack that one. It's always nice to know that being frugal doesn't mean depriving yourself of everything you want, but allows you to balance your life in a way that makes you happy. One big thing is to know what is a priority for you and what is not, and then learn to save on all of it, but be really "cheap" on the things that you don't value as much so you can "splurge" on the things that you do. I've been around a little while so I know this thread has been done on the old SS, but time for some lurkers/newbies to see and join in! Because I am frugal I have: Taken my son on a two week vacation to Ireland and the UK Taken my son and sister to Rome for a week, with visits to Pompeii and a trip to Gladiator School where we got to fight like gladiators (it was a blast!) A few days in Leavenworth, WA where we went dog sledding (not cheap, but I like to "do things" on our vacations) Sent my son to private school from Pre-school to 6th Grade (he is in 7th grade now and going to a charter school. This was the best decision in our case, he's shy and borderline Asperger's so the smaller class-size and special relationships with teachers has been a big help) Paid cash for my Escape (that I love) Paid cash for my pickup (that I also love) Paid cash for a small motorhome (easy camping on the property) Put 40% down on a few acres of property in the boonies Put over 10% down on a new log house, my dream house, to go on the property Owned a home since age 19 (I've always been a huge saver, worked from age 11 or so on) Oh, and I paid for Lasix about a year and a half ago!! Half from my FSA, half cash (well, on a credit card to get the rewards, but paid in full at the end of the month) For those that don't know much about me, I'm a 31 year old single mom to my only son, 13 going on "I'm smarter than you and you don't know anything" (actually, he's a great kid, most of the time...) I get child support when the ex-h is working, but nothing else from him (we've only seen him a couple times since the divorce 9 years ago--his choice). I want to run both vehicles until they are completely dead or repairs just don't make economical sense. I've sacrificed a lot and I live really cheap so that I can have what is really important to me. I know that not buying a coffee in the morning only saves me $1 (or $5, depending on where I buy it) not having cable only saves $30-$100 dollars, and, and, and.... But, the little things add up and have allowed me to do all of the above without ever having paid a cent in interest on a credit card. In fact, other than a car payment for 1 year when I was still married, about a year on a small interest student loan, my mortgage, and now my property I don't/haven't ever paid interest on anything. This thread isn't to "brag" but to help show what is possible! Too often we thing of being frugal as meaning "I can't do this" so instead, I want to know what you "can do" as a result
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Post by breezy on Dec 30, 2010 12:52:03 GMT -5
Wow apple - what an inspiration! I have never really practiced being frugal. You would be shocked at how wasteful I can be. My biggest downfall is not adequately planning...I don't know how I've made it all this years with the dumb things I've done, but I digress.
I lurk mostly on the Grocery thread. Groceries are about the only budget item I feel I have the ability to change - variable, you know. I've cut back on a lot of my fixed expenses - eliminated cable, went to a prepaid cell phone, got cheaper Internet & phone, etc.
Anyway, you veterans are real inspirations. I hope y'all keep posting, so we newbies don't lose hope.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2010 19:13:40 GMT -5
I'm able to stay home with my son and help take care of my grandma. Sometimes I feel kind of sad when a friend gets something new but I think my son will remember me being home after school more then a new couch
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on Dec 31, 2010 8:47:25 GMT -5
I was riffed 8/2010 and hve done little to find a new job since because my 92 y/o father has been in/out of the hospital & rehab several times from then until the beginning of Nov. He is still getting in home services (nursing care, physical therapy, medication dispensing).
I am able to go see him/be with him as often & long as I want.
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Post by tiredboomer on Dec 31, 2010 12:33:49 GMT -5
I was able to pay off my home in eight years; my last car in two. Now that we have no debt, we are building a fund that will enable us to actually retire in five years.
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Post by texaspn on Dec 31, 2010 14:41:04 GMT -5
We are debt free, able to travel occasionally, and have money in savings as a result of frugality.
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ses
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Post by ses on Dec 31, 2010 16:22:44 GMT -5
I was able to retire early, afford most anything I REALLY want and everything I need while getting a credit score of 819, last I checked.
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Post by bobbysgirl on Dec 31, 2010 18:06:01 GMT -5
I retired early and can get anything I want. Good thing most of the things I want don't cost anything! With that said, I went out and spent money on me today. Of course the money I spent came from a GC I 'bought' with cc points. I have peace and sleep well at night because I am blessed enough to be debt free. And I do consider it a blessing.
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Post by kadee on Dec 31, 2010 19:49:56 GMT -5
I bought 16+ acres about 12 yrs. ago....before DH & I got married (but we were living in sin already)! ;D I managed to pay off the 15 yr. mortgage in 7 yrs., I paid off my vehicle in 2 (I think, I know it was early). We built our own house, completed 3 yrs. ago...and it took us almost 2 yrs. to build it...but it was a pay-as-you-go build...so NO mortgage on the house. DH had a bunch of CC debt when we got together. I made him stop & look at how much he was paying in interest....he hadn't realized how it was adding up. Then I set him up on a plan to pay it all off starting with the highest interest rate. He had a house & mortgage...and this was back during the time of the 0% interest on transferred charges...we moved his mortgage to a 0% and kept moving it every time one was expiring until it was paid off....it took about 2 yrs. of serious payments for him to be out of debt! He has finally learned that the NEEDS come first & the WANT list can grow, but none of those get purchased until all needs are met & all CC balances are paid monthly! If you can't pay it off at the end of the month, you don't NEED it that bad. Save for the big purchases...furniture, tvs, phones, etc. He is saving right now for a sawmill! They aren't cheap!!! We travel some every couple of years too! We also do some closer to home weekend trips or 3 day weekends.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Jan 1, 2011 17:16:05 GMT -5
Frugality has given me a full pantry (with plenty to donate), a nice emergency fund, an HSA account (paid for my eyeglasses this year), a someday fund (for when I retire and start my own business), cars and a house we own outright, and the best thing: peace of mind. We get what we want by saving on what we need and where we can. I've started writing more freelance (including my own frugal spending column for a national publication), in the hopes of showing others that it is possible to get what and where you want, if you are willing to make the sacrifices.
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MittenKitten
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Home of the Circus
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Post by MittenKitten on Jan 1, 2011 19:58:58 GMT -5
I have always been frugal. Being frugal meant when I had to give up working a "normal" hourly job because I couldn't leave my son we didn't suffer (I did that 4.5 years ago.) It also meant when my DF (we have also living in sin for many years) was laid off and is still unable to find a job 1.5 years later, we didn't have to panic. Our EF is fully funded, I have money in investments and we both have IRAs.
We have put the vacations on hold but I hope to be able to take one this summer.
It also means I don't have to worry if a paycheck or some type of income is late. There is money in the account to pay for things, I will take that any day over my sister having creditors calling her house.
Oh and we also have plenty of food to feed our family and donate to the food shelf on occasion.
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pepperdoo
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Post by pepperdoo on Jan 1, 2011 21:42:24 GMT -5
It's given me the courage and strength in knowing that I can handle financial situations on my own now. Plus, I now have a bunch of new friends (meaning Y'all) that I wouldn't trade for anything:)
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jan 1, 2011 22:20:23 GMT -5
Geez, so many things. We first became frugal with the goal of buying a home and then the ability for DH to take early retirement at age 55 if he should choose to do so. Along the way, it has allowed us to have financial security almost our entire adult life. We have never paid interest on anything except our mortgage. We have always had money in the bank so when that unexpected turd fell in our punchbowl (so to speak), it wasn't that big a deal. It has made my DH feel better knowing that he COULD walk out on his job anytime he wanted to (thank goodness he didn't), but I guess it helps mentally when you go through those rough spots in your career.
Yep, I guess that's about it.
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Post by emptypockets on Jan 2, 2011 3:07:59 GMT -5
We are both retired now and on fixed income, so now we revert back to cheap living as we did 40 years ago. Was debt free until we found this fantastic used motorhome which we now have to pay for. Retirement is not cheap, but it's so wonderful not having to get up at 4 AM when it's raining/snowing/freezing. Which means I do not want to return to work to pay for this toy...which means we will be living so tight, we squeek, so we both can remain retired and able to take the time to smell the roses. Of course, we may not be able to hit the road this summer if gas does go up to $5.00 a gal, so we hope to do some country camping closer to home.
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dancinmama
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LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
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Post by dancinmama on Jan 2, 2011 9:51:10 GMT -5
We are both retired now and on fixed income, so now we revert back to cheap living as we did 40 years ago. Was debt free until we found this fantastic used motorhome which we now have to pay for. Retirement is not cheap, but it's so wonderful not having to get up at 4 AM when it's raining/snowing/freezing. Which means I do not want to return to work to pay for this toy...which means we will be living so tight, we squeek, so we both can remain retired and able to take the time to smell the roses. Of course, we may not be able to hit the road this summer if gas does go up to $5.00 a gal, so we hope to do some country camping closer to home. emptypockets: You MIGHT want to check out the Grocery Challenge thread on the Women in Red forum. It's all about getting the most through the use of coupons. A lot of the gals MAKE MONEY using coupons and are taking it to pay down student loans, build EFs, etc. If you have always used coupons, you might really enjoy it.
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crockpottin
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Post by crockpottin on Jan 2, 2011 19:48:17 GMT -5
Hi, I was a long-time lurker at MSN money but figured I should actually sign up at the new boards here I am younger than some of you, so I'm not quite fully funded for retirement YET-however, I've managed to do some nifty stuff due to my frugality (and my DHs frugality as well): -graduate college w/minimal loans, long since paid off -NO loans for current grad program (paying as I go) -no other loans/debt currently except for mortgage -like some of you already posted, having a full pantry & the ability to be generous to charities from time to time I'm glad to see that so many are in the same boat as I am
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Post by lovemylife on Jan 8, 2011 20:08:25 GMT -5
Being frugal has allowed my DH and I to retire early. We have traveled to many different countries and seen quite a few of the US states. Like bobbysgirl we don't have to worry about money and sleep at night not worrying about bills. I was 19 when we got married and had our ds at 20. I stayed home for many years until our children went to school so learned along the way to save, cook with barely anything and not feel I had to keep us my friends that bought so much on credit.
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lynda in iowa
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Post by lynda in iowa on Jan 8, 2011 22:21:55 GMT -5
I have been able to weather 3 years of unemployment and underemployment and am still current on all bills and own my small house free and clear. Could never have survived this period without visiting boards like this to learn and be encouraged, and making frugality part of my life.
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happyscooter
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Post by happyscooter on Jan 9, 2011 9:55:02 GMT -5
Very nice vacations in the past. DH retiring early and me not being stressed about money when he started working PT.
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Post by writer88 on Jan 9, 2011 10:36:57 GMT -5
[frugality] allows you to balance your life in a way that makes you happy.
You said it all, Apple.
Frugality has given me balance. Frugality has improved my confidence. Frugality has shown a mirror onto my true priorities. Frugality has taught me what's really important in life, and what's not. Frugality has encouraged me to trust myself and my choices. Frugality has surprised me with my kids' understanding of, and respect for my choices. Frugality has reminded me that every action has consequences, even the most unintentional. Frugality has opened doors to myself I never knew existed. Frugality has made me a better, more focused shopper Frugality has allowed me peaceful nights' sleep.
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998fbird
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Post by 998fbird on Jan 9, 2011 13:06:19 GMT -5
Sometimes I'm more frugal, sometimes less, but when I was younger and a poorly paid single parent being frugal allowed me to pay all of my bills and sleep at night. Now days I'm not quite as careful with my money because I watched my dad deny himself so many things he could have afforded and enjoyed and still been ok financially. I am careful to separate my wants from my needs, but I try to keep in mind that money is a tool, not an end in itself. I try to have a prudent reserve, not hoard.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2011 13:21:08 GMT -5
Being frugal allows me a quality of life more typical of someone making significantly more money than I make. It also gives me security for the future. I know that I don't need that much money to live comfortably.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Jan 9, 2011 13:50:14 GMT -5
I will be able to pay off my 30 year mortgage in 10 years 7 months by living frugally. Only 42 payments to go. Yeah me!!!
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upstatemom
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Post by upstatemom on Jan 9, 2011 14:23:03 GMT -5
I have been able to weather 3 years of unemployment and underemployment and am still current on all bills and own my small house free and clear. Could never have survived this period without visiting boards like this to learn and be encouraged, and making frugality part of my life. That is impressive, congrats! So many of you inspire me
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Post by donkeyontheedge on Jan 10, 2011 17:34:08 GMT -5
I really love your stories. They are so inspiring.
I'll tell you what not being frugal has done for me - I don't sleep well at night. I am always thinking about our debt. I go through each day feeling like I have a dirty little secret. I am ashamed.
I have been a lurker on the MS board for months ... Thanks to all of you 2011 is going to be the turn around year!
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Jan 10, 2011 17:47:29 GMT -5
I really love your stories. They are so inspiring. I'll tell you what not being frugal has done for me - I don't sleep well at night. I am always thinking about our debt. I go through each day feeling like I have a dirty little secret. I am ashamed. I have been a lurker on the MS board for months ... Thanks to all of you 2011 is going to be the turn around year! I hope you decide to stick around. The people here are great with advice and try to help when asked, and when advice is not what you're looking for, we're pretty good at just listening if you need to vent a little. We have a poster that was in the same place you are less than two years ago, bad dreams and all. She's out of the debt now, and you can be too! Wish you the best of luck, no time is better than now to start. It's not always easy, but the relief you will feel when things are going on track is priceless.
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nalto
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Post by nalto on Jan 10, 2011 17:54:21 GMT -5
I really love your stories. They are so inspiring. I'll tell you what not being frugal has done for me - I don't sleep well at night. I am always thinking about our debt. I go through each day feeling like I have a dirty little secret. I am ashamed. I have been a lurker on the MS board for months ... Thanks to all of you 2011 is going to be the turn around year! I hope you decide to stick around. The people here are great with advice and try to help when asked, and when advice is not what you're looking for, we're pretty good at just listening if you need to vent a little. We have a poster that was in the same place you are less than two years ago, bad dreams and all. She's out of the debt now, and you can be too! Wish you the best of luck, no time is better than now to start. It's not always easy, but the relief you will feel when things are going on track is priceless. Here, here
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Post by montanatransplant on Jan 10, 2011 22:53:29 GMT -5
Dear "Donkey" how did you acquire/pick your name?? I hope you step back so that you're not quite "on the edge".
I wish I were frugal. I'm penny wise and pound foolish--much to the amusement of my hubby!
"Apple" you are so encouraging. Are you a "coach" for someone trying to lose weight??? I could use some encouragement while having a bowl of ice cream.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Jan 10, 2011 23:45:26 GMT -5
Lol, no, never been a coach, but being someone that could have easily been a "statistic" I try to help people realize that it all really is within reach, if I can do it you can do it!! However, if you do find a weight loss coach, send 'em my way, I could use that encouragement too
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olderburgher
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Post by olderburgher on Jan 11, 2011 9:25:57 GMT -5
Frugality has let us both retire debt free. It also means a full pantry. It means we can donate to others and do volunteer work (library, food pantry, meals-on-wheels, environmental groups, etc.) It means we have been able to help some of our kids out with home purchases and may soon start to help grandkids with college tuition. It also means we own our own home mortgage free plus a small camp in the woods (thanks to a cash inheritance from my frugal mother.) When we die it should also mean a chance to pass on this good fortune to our four kids who also seem to have inherited the frugal gene.
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