Comments on: Tell Us Tuesday: Why Are You Frugal? http://almostfrugal.com/2009/03/03/tell-us-tuesday-why-are-you-frugal/ Learning about frugality Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:11:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Penelope @ Pecuniaritieshttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/03/03/tell-us-tuesday-why-are-you-frugal/#comment-3981 Penelope @ Pecuniarities Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:59:17 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=2676#comment-3981 I think, in a way I'm naturally frugal. I've always hated the idea of waste - be it money, food, paper, time, etc. But my frugality with money started about 6 years ago when my sister and I left Hawaii, where we grew up, and moved to California to try to find a new life. We had saved up $10,000 after working full-time for a year and thought we had enough to start over somewhere. Unfortunately, we underestimated the cost for the movers, and after buying plane tickets for ourselves, our 16 year old cat, our dog and 22 mice (the mice counted as 1 pet), paying a deposit on our new place, when we got to California we found we had just enough left to cover the movers. We had to learn to get ourselves settled into our new home using as little money as possible and as much creativity as possible. This soon became a habit; even when we have enough money for things that we needed, we still always try to find a cheaper alternative because it just bothers us to spend more when we don't need to. Also, we remember those scary weeks following our move when we had only $100 in our bank account, and never want to feel that way again. We give a detailed story including childhood influences for our frugality in our <a href="http://pecuniarities.com/our-family-financial-history/307" rel="nofollow">Family Financial History</a>, if you don't mind my sharing. <abbr><em>Penelope @ Pecuniarities´s last blog post..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pecuniarities/~3/0OfoLPtbbT0/2980" rel="nofollow">Who's to Blame for Your Spending? You or You?</a></abbr></em> I think, in a way I’m naturally frugal. I’ve always hated the idea of waste – be it money, food, paper, time, etc. But my frugality with money started about 6 years ago when my sister and I left Hawaii, where we grew up, and moved to California to try to find a new life.

We had saved up $10,000 after working full-time for a year and thought we had enough to start over somewhere. Unfortunately, we underestimated the cost for the movers, and after buying plane tickets for ourselves, our 16 year old cat, our dog and 22 mice (the mice counted as 1 pet), paying a deposit on our new place, when we got to California we found we had just enough left to cover the movers.

We had to learn to get ourselves settled into our new home using as little money as possible and as much creativity as possible. This soon became a habit; even when we have enough money for things that we needed, we still always try to find a cheaper alternative because it just bothers us to spend more when we don’t need to.

Also, we remember those scary weeks following our move when we had only $100 in our bank account, and never want to feel that way again. We give a detailed story including childhood influences for our frugality in our Family Financial History, if you don’t mind my sharing.

Penelope @ Pecuniarities´s last blog post..Who’s to Blame for Your Spending? You or You?

]]> By: Ayeshahttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/03/03/tell-us-tuesday-why-are-you-frugal/#comment-3979 Ayesha Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:42:31 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=2676#comment-3979 As a child we lived very comfortably but not in luxury. My parents who are both professionals had saved to build their own house and put us through college so we thankfully ended up with no college loans. I had odd jobs as an undergradaute and was able to pay my rent and utilities but never really had much left over for socializing or travel or even a car. I bought my first car in graduate school. Here I was 'earning' money for the first time (as a research assistant) and spent a lot on things I could not (or thought I could not live without) before and so the first few years I contributed nothing towards a savings account although I never over-spent. I never incurred any credit card debt or loans. Then it just so happened that I moved out on my own (until now I had roommates) and then had to be hospitalized 3 times in a matter of a year and a half. This is when I began to take stock of the fact that it's alright to not incur debt, but it is NOT alright not to have any savings to fall back on. The bills seem astronomical now that they are no long split 2-3 ways, the prices of everything keeps going up (which didn't really bother me before) and I will be graduating soon and job hunting (in this crazy market!) and definitely need a fall back plan. So now I watch everything and am proud to say that I have been able to save up quite a bit and pay all my expenses as I go along. I have not felt cheated in any way because a lot of things I can do without and have been able to and am very happy in the process! As a child we lived very comfortably but not in luxury. My parents who are both professionals had saved to build their own house and put us through college so we thankfully ended up with no college loans. I had odd jobs as an undergradaute and was able to pay my rent and utilities but never really had much left over for socializing or travel or even a car. I bought my first car in graduate school. Here I was 'earning' money for the first time (as a research assistant) and spent a lot on things I could not (or thought I could not live without) before and so the first few years I contributed nothing towards a savings account although I never over-spent. I never incurred any credit card debt or loans.

Then it just so happened that I moved out on my own (until now I had roommates) and then had to be hospitalized 3 times in a matter of a year and a half. This is when I began to take stock of the fact that it's alright to not incur debt, but it is NOT alright not to have any savings to fall back on. The bills seem astronomical now that they are no long split 2-3 ways, the prices of everything keeps going up (which didn't really bother me before) and I will be graduating soon and job hunting (in this crazy market!) and definitely need a fall back plan.

So now I watch everything and am proud to say that I have been able to save up quite a bit and pay all my expenses as I go along. I have not felt cheated in any way because a lot of things I can do without and have been able to and am very happy in the process!

]]> By: Christyhttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/03/03/tell-us-tuesday-why-are-you-frugal/#comment-3978 Christy Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:38:24 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=2676#comment-3978 My frugality began to develop as a child watching my g-grandma coupon shop (for others most of the time). She set a (very-high) monetary savings limit on herself to begin with.... if the checking account got down anywhere near this amount then as far as she was concerned ... there was nothing there. (And that was the case most of the time.) So in order to fulfill her desires for providing for others without blowing her savings ... she clipped coupons. She would then take these coupons and follow the sales as many of us do now ... but she had a way of doing it that made this simple little "task" look interesting and fun ... almost a game. She never paid for much of anything in this game and often was paid to leave the store with a buggy full of items. (Which is of course unheard of these days as the stores have all set up policies not to allow this kind of thing to happen) But let me tell you, back then she could sure do it! And did all the time! She would then take all of these "free" puchases, fill the trunk of her car, and drive around to all of her "shut in" or disabled friends, family, church members, or any others she heard of in need and pass out what ever they might be in need of. To her this was such a (fun) and simple thing ... but in the eyes of THIS child and the eyes of all those who desperately needed what she was giving ... it was an amazing miracle that she could walk in to a store with a wad of coupons, some change in a coin purse, and walk out with a buggy loaded full of necessities, a smile on her face, and sometimes even a little extra jingle in that small coin purse of hers. Now I try to apply this "game" to my personal life and pray for there to be enough extra to put a smile on someone else's face. I'm no where as talented at this "game" as she was ... but I'm proud to have had that example in my life! Thanks for the opportunity to share! My frugality began to develop as a child watching my g-grandma coupon shop (for others most of the time). She set a (very-high) monetary savings limit on herself to begin with…. if the checking account got down anywhere near this amount then as far as she was concerned … there was nothing there. (And that was the case most of the time.) So in order to fulfill her desires for providing for others without blowing her savings … she clipped coupons. She would then take these coupons and follow the sales as many of us do now … but she had a way of doing it that made this simple little "task" look interesting and fun … almost a game. She never paid for much of anything in this game and often was paid to leave the store with a buggy full of items. (Which is of course unheard of these days as the stores have all set up policies not to allow this kind of thing to happen) But let me tell you, back then she could sure do it! And did all the time! She would then take all of these "free" puchases, fill the trunk of her car, and drive around to all of her "shut in" or disabled friends, family, church members, or any others she heard of in need and pass out what ever they might be in need of. To her this was such a (fun) and simple thing … but in the eyes of THIS child and the eyes of all those who desperately needed what she was giving … it was an amazing miracle that she could walk in to a store with a wad of coupons, some change in a coin purse, and walk out with a buggy loaded full of necessities, a smile on her face, and sometimes even a little extra jingle in that small coin purse of hers. Now I try to apply this "game" to my personal life and pray for there to be enough extra to put a smile on someone else's face. I'm no where as talented at this "game" as she was … but I'm proud to have had that example in my life!

Thanks for the opportunity to share!

]]> By: Annahttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/03/03/tell-us-tuesday-why-are-you-frugal/#comment-3977 Anna Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:39:12 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=2676#comment-3977 Being frugal has been a long journey. I was as a child - very careful on how I spent my allowance. As a kid, you can't have credit cards and everything is about cash. Then I discovered credit in my twenties and couldn't put Pandora back in the box. My husband, thankfully, held on to his frugal values so I didn't screw us up too badly. My goal right now is to downsize on things that don't matter to me but upsize where it does. We have expenses that we feel are a "must" since my husband has family in other countries and we live 800 miles from mine, travel is a must. But I don't need the latest trends in clothes or the latest new car. Both our cars are paid for and are older models. We should be able to drive both for at least another 5 years. My husband loves to cook and garden, so we downsize on food expenses and don't eat out a lot. But we both work in the computer field and use internet to keep up with family and friends. So we probably spend more than others on this expense. The biggest lesson I've found with frugality is it's all about priorities. If you have goals, you can meet them even if they at first seem unachievable. You just have to pick what matters most to you - and get rid of those items that are not so important by comparison. There is no one way to be frugal or one size fits all plan. Being frugal has been a long journey. I was as a child – very careful on how I spent my allowance. As a kid, you can't have credit cards and everything is about cash. Then I discovered credit in my twenties and couldn't put Pandora back in the box. My husband, thankfully, held on to his frugal values so I didn't screw us up too badly.

My goal right now is to downsize on things that don't matter to me but upsize where it does. We have expenses that we feel are a "must" since my husband has family in other countries and we live 800 miles from mine, travel is a must. But I don't need the latest trends in clothes or the latest new car. Both our cars are paid for and are older models. We should be able to drive both for at least another 5 years. My husband loves to cook and garden, so we downsize on food expenses and don't eat out a lot. But we both work in the computer field and use internet to keep up with family and friends. So we probably spend more than others on this expense.

The biggest lesson I've found with frugality is it's all about priorities. If you have goals, you can meet them even if they at first seem unachievable. You just have to pick what matters most to you – and get rid of those items that are not so important by comparison. There is no one way to be frugal or one size fits all plan.

]]> By: Dr Judyhttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/03/03/tell-us-tuesday-why-are-you-frugal/#comment-3967 Dr Judy Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:48:01 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=2676#comment-3967 I came to a frugal lifestyle by disaster mostly. I grew up in a family who saved, rarely used credit, invested...and taught us none of it...barring an occasional remark here or there. I married and we "had to have". We made loads of money which we promptly spent and then borrowed to spend more. When my husband left me and three children, I was scared to death...but would go months without accurately monitoring my bank balance. (Unless you call panic when the balance drops below $1500 monitoring.) A major job layoff sent me into a tailspin. Back to school for an advanced degree. What an idea! Enter massive school loans. After graduating, I couldn't find a job that paid more than $10/hr! I know what...defer the loans! I took a position with a couple of self-serving entrepreneurs...who left me all but bankrupt nine months later. Back to the drawing board...grabbed the first available job. I had to eat somehow. First, I broke my ankle. Then two hospitalizations with all kinds of tests. Then daily meds to pay for. The school loan folks deciding to garnish my wages (15% of gross=30% of take home. Ouch!) and a head-on car crash left me unable to afford an apartment alone. So my daughter and her family took me in. Now five surgeries later I am struggling to get everything together. I no longer use credit. I watch what I spend carefully. I have $750 toward an emergency fund...and finally a little piece of mind. My last credit card should be paid off in less than two years. The school loans? Plugging along. I still have some things accumulating dust that I should sell. Something from my parents must have stuck though. I haven't had a car loan since 1992. That's a plus. And I really do know how to budget. I manage on a take home of less than $1K per month. I managed to pay my entire out-of-pocket medical ($1200) in the first two months of last year without credit. Still, I have a goal to live on my own again. I came to a frugal lifestyle by disaster mostly. I grew up in a family who saved, rarely used credit, invested…and taught us none of it…barring an occasional remark here or there. I married and we "had to have". We made loads of money which we promptly spent and then borrowed to spend more. When my husband left me and three children, I was scared to death…but would go months without accurately monitoring my bank balance. (Unless you call panic when the balance drops below $1500 monitoring.) A major job layoff sent me into a tailspin. Back to school for an advanced degree. What an idea! Enter massive school loans. After graduating, I couldn't find a job that paid more than $10/hr! I know what…defer the loans! I took a position with a couple of self-serving entrepreneurs…who left me all but bankrupt nine months later. Back to the drawing board…grabbed the first available job. I had to eat somehow. First, I broke my ankle. Then two hospitalizations with all kinds of tests. Then daily meds to pay for. The school loan folks deciding to garnish my wages (15% of gross=30% of take home. Ouch!) and a head-on car crash left me unable to afford an apartment alone. So my daughter and her family took me in. Now five surgeries later I am struggling to get everything together. I no longer use credit. I watch what I spend carefully. I have $750 toward an emergency fund…and finally a little piece of mind. My last credit card should be paid off in less than two years. The school loans? Plugging along. I still have some things accumulating dust that I should sell. Something from my parents must have stuck though. I haven't had a car loan since 1992. That's a plus. And I really do know how to budget. I manage on a take home of less than $1K per month. I managed to pay my entire out-of-pocket medical ($1200) in the first two months of last year without credit. Still, I have a goal to live on my own again.

]]> By: Cathhttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/03/03/tell-us-tuesday-why-are-you-frugal/#comment-3966 Cath Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:30:12 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=2676#comment-3966 I think the real push for me was realizing how much stuff I had and how it didn't bring me any joy. The other piece of it was realizing that I had spent my whole career to date working on environmental issues - but working so hard, so fast, so long that I didn't have any time to put my beliefs into practice at home. The birth of my first a few years ago provided some much needed space to rethink, and that's what's set us on the path we're on as a family. I think the real push for me was realizing how much stuff I had and how it didn't bring me any joy. The other piece of it was realizing that I had spent my whole career to date working on environmental issues – but working so hard, so fast, so long that I didn't have any time to put my beliefs into practice at home. The birth of my first a few years ago provided some much needed space to rethink, and that's what's set us on the path we're on as a family.

]]> By: Kellyhttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/03/03/tell-us-tuesday-why-are-you-frugal/#comment-3963 Kelly Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:01:45 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=2676#comment-3963 I am so loving reading all of your stories on why you became frugal. Whether it was always part of your life, you married into it, you became frugal through necessity like too many debts, or through choice like wanting to stay home with your kids, I am honored that you are sharing your path with us! I find your stories to be inspirational! Thanks- and keep 'em coming! I am so loving reading all of your stories on why you became frugal. Whether it was always part of your life, you married into it, you became frugal through necessity like too many debts, or through choice like wanting to stay home with your kids, I am honored that you are sharing your path with us! I find your stories to be inspirational!

Thanks- and keep 'em coming!

]]> By: A Frugal Friendhttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/03/03/tell-us-tuesday-why-are-you-frugal/#comment-3962 A Frugal Friend Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:48:21 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=2676#comment-3962 We used to be a 2 income family with no real money concerns.......then I got pregnant and new my heart would be at home. So at least for now, I have chosen to leave the professional world behind. I had to quickly figure out how to make sure I could stay home once we lost almost 2/3 of our income. So, while I have always loved a deal, becoming a stay at home mommy led me to my frugal lifestyle and my blog "A Frugal Friend"! <abbr><em>A Frugal Friend´s last blog post..Costco Free Sample - Ziploc</abbr></em> We used to be a 2 income family with no real money concerns…….then I got pregnant and new my heart would be at home. So at least for now, I have chosen to leave the professional world behind. I had to quickly figure out how to make sure I could stay home once we lost almost 2/3 of our income.

So, while I have always loved a deal, becoming a stay at home mommy led me to my frugal lifestyle and my blog "A Frugal Friend"!

<abbr>A Frugal Friend´s last blog post..Costco Free Sample – Ziploc</abbr>

]]> By: Nancyhttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/03/03/tell-us-tuesday-why-are-you-frugal/#comment-3961 Nancy Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:26:01 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=2676#comment-3961 I started out being frugal so I could stay home and raise our two boys. We always lived below our means--living off one income and using my part-time job income for extras and savings. It took us 10 years to buy our first house and part of that time we only had one car but we never were in debt and always had money set aside for an emergency or two. I feel lucky that I learned early on that I would rather live a simple life with less, than work like crazy to afford stuff that in the end, doesn't mean anything. I started out being frugal so I could stay home and raise our two boys. We always lived below our means–living off one income and using my part-time job income for extras and savings. It took us 10 years to buy our first house and part of that time we only had one car but we never were in debt and always had money set aside for an emergency or two. I feel lucky that I learned early on that I would rather live a simple life with less, than work like crazy to afford stuff that in the end, doesn’t mean anything.

]]> By: Lesliehttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/03/03/tell-us-tuesday-why-are-you-frugal/#comment-3960 Leslie Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:41:50 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=2676#comment-3960 Living in Los Angeles with three kids and not a Hollywood worthy income was the kick-off for my interest in frugality. It became an obsession and a way of life. I mean, the 99 cents only stores there are THE BEST!! But, now I'm in Oklahoma - still frugal, still loving it. <abbr><em>Leslie´s last blog post..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FrugalMommyLivingBlog/~3/SS8ylvwKeIE/" rel="nofollow">Family Spring Break Ideas For Frugal Moms</a></abbr></em> Living in Los Angeles with three kids and not a Hollywood worthy income was the kick-off for my interest in frugality. It became an obsession and a way of life. I mean, the 99 cents only stores there are THE BEST!! But, now I’m in Oklahoma – still frugal, still loving it.

Leslie´s last blog post..Family Spring Break Ideas For Frugal Moms

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