People from all walks of life and levels of income make the wise decision to adopt a frugal lifestyle. I think that depending on the varying circumstances of people’s lives, frugality can look very different from one person to the next. Some people use coupons just so that they can pay their bills each month. Others coupon so that they can put food on the table, literally. Then there are those who have disposable income, more than enough to get by, yet they have a financial goal they’re working towards: paying off debt, saving up for something significant (car, house, land, etc.), stashing an emergency fund away, or maybe taking a vacation.
I thought it might be fun to let you in on what “being frugal” looks like for us, in this season of our lives…
Things We Go Without (yet we really don’t mind at all):
1. Brand new cars. My husband and I both drive cars that are over 8 years old. Right now we can not afford a car payment. Adding that on to our monthly bills would be really difficult for us, so we are content to drive reliable, old cars. They’re not pretty, and there is an exact science on how to enter and exit the cars due to broken door handles…but they get us from point A to point B. That’s all the matters to us in a vehicle. Actually, my car recently broke down, so at the moment we are juggling one car. You’d be surprised how easy it is when you have no choice. We will be getting my car fixed when we save up the money to do so. For the time being, we will not fix it, because that would mean putting it on a credit card.
2. The latest and greatest technological gear. We don’t have a flatscreen, plasma, or high-def television. We have an old klunker that requires 3 people just to move it. The corners of the screen are slowly turning a delightful blue/greenish color, but we don’t mind. After all, we’re not TV people. We both have cell phones that do nothing more than call and text. No iPhone, no smartphone, nothing. And as much as it would be nice for me to have this so that I can blog on-the-go, it’s not a necessity. We don’t have an Apple computer, as much as we both want one. Kyle records music, is an artist, and runs his entire business on the computer. I am constantly on the computer for my blogging. Our computer tends to run slow, and it’s nearing the end of its memory capacity. An Apple would be perfect for both of our professions/hobbies, but we’re content for now…
3. Brand new clothing. Apart from these 2 jackets I bought a while back, I honestly have not bought myself brand new clothing since before we got married 2 years ago. Why? Because fashion is not what matters. My clothes serve their purpose and are not worn out yet. Personally, I just can’t justify the latest fashion of clothing as being a necessity. Trust me – this mindset took a really long time to set in permanently. I’ve never been a shopaholic, but I definitely enjoyed buying new clothes when I went out with friends. I’m not even tempted anymore – truly. (You will hear more on this subject when I start my series on simplicity very soon.) If I do “need” new clothes, I always accept hand-me-downs. All of my friends know this, and I’m not ashamed. I get at least 2 baskets full of clothing to sort through each year.
4. Expensive date nights. Going on a date is not about how much money you spend or how fancy the place is. Going on a date is about spending time with the person you love. Aside from very special occasions (birthdays, anniversary, etc.), we never go out to eat unless we have a gift card that was given to us. My husband and I can not afford to go out and spend money on ourselves every week, but we do go on a date every week. We enjoy spending time together without spending a fortune. Almost every Saturday morning, we go to Panera and enjoy a $5 breakfast. We go to the park a lot, take walks, split a coffee at Starbucks, split an ice cream or yogurt, go to the beach, or go to Barnes and Noble to browse and talk. There are always alternatives to extravagant, expensive dates. One of our favorite things to do on a Friday night is make our own homemade pizza (WAY cheaper than ordering out for pizza), rent a movie from the library or Redbox, and make our own iced coffee or lemonade to enjoy afterwards while we talk or walk outside. It’s great!!
5. Store-bought CDs, movies, books, or magazines. Why? Because we are firm believers in utilizing our local library. No need to spend $20 on a book when you can get it for FREE at the library!! The library has everything. We use it to checkout movies to watch, cookbooks full of recipes, books to read, CDs to listen to, and more. You can even get TV series from the library! Trust me – if there is one material thing in the world that I am obsessed with, it is definitely books. I love the smell of a brand new book, and I desire to have a HUGE library full of books that I own. But I’ve learned that it’s still just a possession. The wonder of books is what lies inside of them, the places it can take you, and what you take away from them afterwards. You don’t have to own it and have it sitting on your bookshelf to experience the life-changing brilliance of literature! I promise.
What About You: What does frugal look like to you in your own personal life? What do you not mind going without to save a dollar?
*Photo Credit: Stewart
since my husband had to go out to oakleaf to check on a lock box i figured i would stay up and wait for him to get back home so here’s my thoughts
Rewind a year ago when we were drowning in debt and credit card bills and whatnot. We were making tons of money, but blowing it on just about anything. Once I got out of the Navy we knew that we had to start changing things and our spending habits. I still had a job, but it wasn’t nearly half of what I made in the military. Then just a couple months later my store I worked at closed and not one of us who worked there was retained. Right around that same time is when your site taught me how to be more frugal. Now we are pretty much debt free (still have the hubby’s truck to pay off which is roughly $4k. I count our mortgage as an investment. Now with the money we are saving on groceries and “bill money” we are finally focusing on getting the things we need for our house we boguht a year ago. We still do not have a dining room table, lol, but we’re working on that. That’s something I really want because we like hosting the dinners for the Holidays. Let me tell you this little 4 seater kitchenette table is not cutting it, lol. We have gadgets and gizmos and we do use them quite often. We try to make a nice balance of all the things we enjoy. We go to the beach just about every weekend, we get out and do lots of things as a family and it’s really nice. This past weekend our reward to ourselves was going out to the Riverside Arts Market and getting some things. I got a really yummy blue cheese and green olive loaf of bread and some homemade cheese and the hubby got some bbq sauce. they were all a little expensive. But it’s money that back in the day would have been spent on going out to eat (which we did nearly every day) Especially me when I was working two jobs at once and my only time spent at home was when I was asleep. So I guess what I am trying to say is, We may not be rich, but we’re not struggling. We are more strict on any extra spending or materialistic things. We recently went clothes shopping just because I needed and wanted to change my wardrobe to something other than jeans and t shirts (yeah I don’t even own a dress and up until last week i had 1 pair of shorts). I figured since my life is changing, it’s time that I change the image I portray as well. I think we are close to where we want to be at and soon we can start saving to take our little one to Disney
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Meagan Reply:
May 18th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
I think you’re doing great, Trisha!
You deserve to treat yourself every now and then, especially if it means feeling good about yourself again. Enjoy your new clothes!
I’m jealous of your loot from the arts market. Sounds YUMMY!! Can I come some time??
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LOVE this post!! I agree with you on the homemade pizza. We started doing this a few months ago when we noticed Publix sold pizza dough. Not only is it a lot cheaper than delivery or even frozen it tastes soooo much better! We had pizza from Papa John’s at church last week and we started missing our homemade pizza.
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Meagan Reply:
May 18th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
@Hannah Sewell, I agree – SO much yummier!
Publix pizza dough is definitely great. You can also request the whole wheat version. =)
I now make my own in a bread machine, but we definitely used to take advantage of that at Publix, too!
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I used to think I was frugal. I bought generic products all the time and thought I was getting a good deal at the store, but your blog really opened my eyes to the savings. Couponing has enabled us to pay down our debt more aggressively and to save for a house. We hope to buy in 2-3 years.
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Meagan Reply:
May 18th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
@Alison, What a great goal. Good luck! So glad couponing has enabled you to see your vision through to the end!
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I totally agree with your post. While my husband was in school, we lived off of my income. That made it very easy for me to become a stay-at-home mom when our son was born. With the help of your blog and others, I now take pride on living frugally for our family.
We have paid for cars, old cell phones, no cable (we watch the shows we watch on the internet), weve eat out for date night maybe once to twice a month and of course buy discount and use lots and lot of coupons. Our goal is to live an uncomplicated life and we love it.
We are spluring tonight and staying at a nice hotel. It is our first night away from our son. Thanks for the post Meg!
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Meagan Reply:
May 18th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
@Sandy, Very cool, Sandy!
It’s important to “splurge” every now and then. Enjoy your stay at the hotel! How NICE!
My hubby and I are actually splurging this weekend for our anniversary – eating out at The Melting Pot!!
“Our goal is to live an uncomplicated life and we love it.” <—I couldn’t have said it better myself, Sandy. Definitely.
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It’s nice to see others trying to live within their means. I am a single mother of two kids, we have a car that is paid for and I don’t plan on getting a new one anytime soon, we dont’ have cable or satellite tv, what a waste-so much junk on there anyway, we also go to the library for appropriate movies and cd’s I am working on buying a house, 7 years of payments so far, but we are on our way. Some things are just that, things, they don’t really matter in the large picture. Wish others could see what we see. Thanks for your post.
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Meagan Reply:
May 18th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
@Becky, I agree about the “junk” on TV. You’re so right – the greatest things in life are NOT things. They’re love, relationships, family, small and simple pleasures…that’s the true joy of life! Congrats on working towards your house goal! Sounds like a great plan!
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Wow, we do exactly the same things as you and your husband do, except add in 2 kids.
We have chosen to only have one, older, car. Since moving to Florida my husband can bike year round to work. And he loves to do that anyway so there is no need for a second car. My girls and I will often bike to the library and and parks also to save on gas and not having to take the car out. You are so right about it being much easier to only have one car when it is something that you “have” to do. It has been t his way now for us going on 3 years and it is not even anything that I think about now.
We use the library to its fullest! They always have tons of movies and the newest releases. I may not get to see them the week they come out but we always have some movies every week from the library that we can watch if we choose to. And it is all free. The library also has summer reading programs for kids. You sign them up and they get some kind of reward when they reach their goal! My kids love it! When we lived in Oregon the library had cultural passes. They were memberships to places like the zoo, botanical gardens and museums and stuff like that. You could check them out for one day, and you were able to go to go and enjoy them with out having to pay to get in. Loved it! I have yet to find that here but I think I am asking and they are not understanding what I am saying. I am hopeful that they get something like that here. But I am finding that with a little research there are days that a lot of places like that have free times that you can get in. Last Saturday we went to the art museum. You can get in free on Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:00! We all enjoyed it without paying a dime!
I also shop thrift stores for our clothes. There is so much stuff that you can find if you only take the time to do it.
We also have 2, older getting slow, computers. But Praise God that we have 2 computers that work and we can use! And we have even been blessed with a few of the newest gadgets as gifts.
We do these things not so that we can have a big bank account but because I am a stay at home mom. My husband and I made that decision and have made sacrifices to be able to maintain living on one income. But God is good and continues to see that we are not just getting by but blessed beyond measure! Maybe not in ways that others would see but we see it and know that He is good!
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Meagan Reply:
May 18th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
@Christy, I think you’ve discovered the true joy of living simply, enjoying being blessed my God in ways that truly matter, and being thankful for what you already have.
Your ideas for doing frugal activities with your kids are GREAT!
That whole “not just getting by but blessed beyond measure” – I feel the exact same way. Other people might not think that about my life, but I feel that way.
It’s amazing how living simply can transform your thinking!
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Due to my hubby’s job loss, we had already made major changes to the way we spent what $ we had. But, last fall i happened upon a reference to southernsaversdotcom while on Babycenter. It has changed my life!!! We now savean average YTD of 82% on all household/grocery/baby/pet items! $55 a week covers all of that here in south FL.
Also, we utilize the library weekly for movies & books. We also use it as a drop off/trading spot for magazines.
We do still go out to eat once a week, as a break or as a date. But, we usually go to places that have a lunch menu, have a rewards program or have coupons. We spend anywhere from $10-20, depending on where we go.
We cut back our high speed internet & full cable pkg to a basic cable with regular internet. I’m willing to cut out the cable completely, but hubby isnt there yet…
Going to the movies is a real treat and has happened 3 times recently, as we have gotten free tickets as a gift from family. what used to seem like an ordinary, almost weekly thing is now considered a luxury!
Some of the small things: We have one car. we keep our A/C set at 79. Catch the A/C run off water to water our garden and flower beds(it puts out one or even 2 buckets each day). Planted a small garden with tomatoes, radishes, peas, etc… use whatever local haircut place has a current deal going, rather than a pricey “Salon”. Color my own hair. Utilize Craigslist for selling and buying.
And trust God for the rest. Someday we’ll make it thru this tough time, and hopefully we can use this experience to better serve Him in the future!
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Meagan Reply:
May 18th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
@Dee Dee, Congrats on saving with coupons! That’s so great!
It’s nice that you splurge once a week on an inexpensive, frugal date.
Sounds like you’re implementing some great ways to live frugally! Thanks for sharing!
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Since moving to Florida from Connecticut last year we have made ALOT of frugal changes-
For starters- We have one car as well.
One cell phone for whoever is using the car.
Library for books and DVDs – or redbox, there are always free codes to be found somewhere
We usually split whatever we are eating when we go out to eat.
I finally bought a new purse and paid 97 cents for it! lol thanks to getting a tip on a blog about a great deal at target-
We sell alot of stuff on ebay too-
I have so many hand me downs from my sister in law, and I love getting them! Its like getting new clothes to me
we have no cable- we bought a 9.95 antenna at walmart and it brings in all the basic channels, If we want to watch something we hook the Computer up to the TV and watch it that way
I cut my own bangs and I dont color my hair YET- lol YET. stay away gray!
We only use those curly lightbulbs (I dont know the names of them) and keep all lights off during the day.
Of course coupons for shopping thanks to you!!
I suppose there is always one thing that people will not change… For me, It the A/C!
I have Multiple Sclerosis, so Its important for me to keep from getting overheated… SO I wont budge on the A/C usage…
other than that- frugal living for us!
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Meagan Reply:
May 18th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
@maria, All of those are GREAT ways to be frugal!
Thanks for sharing!
Confession: I’m with you on the A/C. It’s the ONE THING I love. It’s always cold in our house.
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Wow I am so going to follow you. I need to learn this. I spend money like it’s going out of style and I need to learn how not to. I am terrible.I have had my truck for only a couple years and am already itching to get a new one. My worst spender is groceries though! I don’t know how not to spend a ton at the grocery store
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Meagan Reply:
May 18th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
@BigMamaCass, Don’t worry! It’s just a mindset that you can adopt over time.
It does take time, though!
If you’re wanting to save money on groceries, you have come to the right place! If you follow the tips on this site, you’ll soon cut your grocery bill in half.
Where do you live and what stores do you shop at?
A good place to start is the “Beginners Start Here” tab on the menu bar up top!
Thanks for stopping by! Hope to have you join us on the savings journey!
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BigMamaCass Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
@Meagan, Thank you! I am excited to start. I had my husband send me our budget after I read this and now I am going to do what I can to cut as many corners and extra spending as I can.
I live in Texarkana. It’s a tiny town. I shop at Target, Walmart and Albertsons. Those are the only options here.
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Thank you to everybody for sharing your personal ways of living frugally! What an inspiration!
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Thank you for all of your helpful tips. I have just recently found your blog but visit it daily.
My husband and I do many of the same things you do. Our only debt is our mortgage and hope to have that paid off in 3-4 years. We hardly ever eat out or get take-out. We have 2 young children and they eat better at home anyway.
Sometimes it seems hard to find more ways to be frugal but you have helped me already. THANKS!!
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Meagan Reply:
May 18th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
@Barb, You’re very welcome! Glad to be of help. Sounds like you’re doing great. Good luck on your goal of paying off your mortgage! That’s awesome!!
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Your frugal activities, habits are definitely not out of line, especially if you are saving for something, or budget your finances for other areas of your lives together. We do similar things to what you do, but we are planning to go to Savannah for the holidays and want to have extra funds to enjoy our well earned vacation. Holding tight to the reins now is worth it for a wonderful holiday enjoying ourselves without worrying about what we’re spending!
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Meagan Reply:
July 25th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
@Lara, Definitely worth it!
Thanks!
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