Today on Dr.Phil (a show I hate, and NEVER watch) they were talking w/ "the cheapest family in America" Oprah had a similar type show about living more simlpy and all that stuff. On Oprah she talked about a show last week w/ Suze Orman where she wanted everyone to do 3 things 1-Not spend any money in a day
2-Not use your credit cards for a week
3- Not eat out for a month
Now I know that we live a little differently than a lot of people, and I would definetly consider us cheap. I'd say poor (and you probably would too is you knew what we actually lived on- I mean HELLO a grad. student and a SAHM don't make big bucks!), but I don't really feel like we are poor. How we follow her "goals
1-We can go days w/o spending money- unless we need gas (we started limiting grocery trips a few weeks ago, which really cuts back on spending)
2- I don't even remember the last time we used a credit card, I HATE to use them, and only do if it is a true emergency and we really don't have the money, and then pay off as quickly as we can.
3- We just challenged ourselves to not eat out for 30days, we made it 22- but by choice, we went to an art thing and then kind of had a date night (w/ a baby).
I think even our no eating out challenge helped us avoid the habit of eating out. Too often we would be in town around a meal time and decide we should just eat out, spending money we shouldn't be. Now we are trying to plan better and take a lunch if we'll be out during that time.
We also avoid stores- we try to hardly ever go to Walmart or Target (no matter how much I want to go there) and even the dollar store, because that money really adds up quickly, and I don't even know what I have to show for those shopping trips! Last time I went to dollar tree I bought a bunch of picture frames- we have like 2 pictures up in our whole house- seriously why would I do that?
So now instead of just buying, we are saving for stuff we really want (and need). I don't use coupons at all, but everytime I see one of these talk shows where they get theri groceries half off w/ coupons I think maybe I should. Anyone use coupons? We do use (most of the time) our reusable bags at the grocery store, and at the grocery store we shop at (County Market on Philo) they give you 5cents(is there not a cent sign on a keyboard?) per bag- in cash- so we make like 20cents evertime we go grocery shopping- SWEET!!
When we do go out to eat we usually go to Culver's where we all get kids meals(most of the time) so it costs us about $15 and we all get dessert (don't forget to save the scoopie Points)! And if we have to venture to a real restaurant we usually all get water. I've really been getting in to making stuff from scratch, but I don't know how much it really saves us on groceries, it's just something I like to do.
I KNOW that if I actually planned out our meals for the week, I could make an even better grocery list and we wouldn't have so much food not being used- I actuall went through our pantry and made a list of everythjing, in an attempt to start using it all. My goal for Christams (and possibly bdays) is to give the boys all used presents, and to buy most of their clothes at thrift stores and garage sales this year.
Well I think I've rambled enough- anyone else, thoughts, tips on being "cheap"?
5 comments:
I really applaud you- I have been trying not to run to the dollar store on my lunch cause I will go in to get TP and come out with stuff I don't need. Like I don't really need that pk of marked down xmas ornaments for next year ! How about selling used childrens clothes for money at a shop. That used to bring me extra cash. They don't really wear out. Mom
I really applaud you- I have been trying not to run to the dollar store on my lunch cause I will go in to get TP and come out with stuff I don't need. Like I don't really need that pk of marked down xmas ornaments for next year ! How about selling used childrens clothes for money at a shop. That used to bring me extra cash. They don't really wear out. Mom
I also used to plan menu's and it really does help. Then you know what you have, what needs to be used up and what you are going to do for supper. It's a good idea . Then if you make a roast you can plan on the next day having stew or soup with the leftovers.You can plan for 2 or 3 days ahead with leftovers.
liked your article on being thrifty. Yeah, thee are lots of simple things we can all do. I HAVE been getting some good coupon deals, but like you, I don't scour the newspapers for them. Got County mkt coupons the othe day, all stuff I needed, and the shredded cheeses(italian and also mexican styles) were only $1.19 with coupons. Comes in handy for stretching the meals(like for omelettes, etc).I think that idea about going to the thrift stores is good. I watched the TLC show on "The Duggers", the family with the 18! children. They actually are pretty interesting and mrs. dugger says that all their familys' clothing is resale, thrift store. I thought that was cool.
Now if I could only get most of my fellow workers at the university to stop their horrendously wasteful policies.
I think also that limiting trips to the stores(and even trying to stay out of them) is a great idea.
Using leftovers is one of the smartest things we can all do.
Having our gardens this spring and summe is also so frugal!Joan
You rock. I totally need to hang out with you more. :)
Growing up, my folks were very frugal. I didn't know there were "kids meals" at restaurants until I was in middle school. We always had a hamburger and water at McDonalds and 1 large fry for the whole family of 5. I need to get back to my roots. Thanks for the inspiration.
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