How do you look at being frugal

[hillbillyken]

I have often thought how people that are frugal look at it in order to maintain the life style.

I often look at it as a game where I challenge myself or the wife to a little competition.

I will give a few examples of what I do and then you can feel free to tell us what you or have heard of other people do to make being frugal a fun way of saving money.

1. set a goal in my savings account and try to meet or beat the goal.

2. have the wife go shopping one time and I will go the next to see who can meet the menu planned at a cheaper total expense.

3. Try to get the any bill lower then the next. Example if this months elec. bill is $100 try to beat it the next month)

4. keep track of my mile per gallon on one vehicle and try to beat it by keep the tires filled, driving 55 or slower, keeping the oil changed and clean air filter, etc.

I also do things with the kids to get them to save more. Like having a completion to see who can save more in 6 months to a year and then taking the winner out for ice cream or some other treat.

Well those are just a few things I do to keep it interesting and make saving money fun. ;D

[Admin]

This is a good post

I get a lot of my frugalness from my dad, although he pushed it too far and cheated himself out of a lot of the things he wanted. Old school I guess. Myself, I like to HAVE the things I want and dream about rather than just want and dream about them and I WON'T go into debt to obtain them. To acquire them I have to be frugal and make my money go as far as I can. I have to make sacrifices on some things so that I can splurge on others. I have a lot of cool stuff, lots of acreage and nice toys and people think I have a lot of money when actually I make less now than I did 30 years ago. Not much money comes into this house but not much goes out either. A person can have a huge paycheck but it don't amount to s**t if they have huge expenses. We drive disposable vehicles with minimum insurance, turn the lights off when not needed, grow and hunt as much food as we can and just simply DON'T waste money. Taxes and interest are a big waste of money and except for property taxes we pay none of the above and the property taxes are all tax deductible ;D

[bmiller]

I'm just getting stated being serious about being frugal and I too make it a game of trying to beat my costs from month to month.My wife on the other hand is making a game of spending more each month.Ever since I thought of the idea of my own saw mill, I've been really tight with money.I don't buy it if I can get by without it.I'm not driving as much as I was and really watching what I'm buying at the store.I've started looking for stuff that's on sale and buying in bulk.My wife really thought I was going too far until she saw how far I could stretch one grocery trip verses gouing every week.Now if I can just get her to stop burning gas like it's going out of style, I'll be alright.

[ralph]

i look at it as i like to hunt,fish and a bunch of other stuff so the more i save on dumb stuff gas food electric and any thing i don't have to have then there is more i can spend on the fun stuff my dad also spent his live not doing things he liked to save the money not me i will save were i can and spend on things i really want

[chevy]

What a interesting topic. You've opened my eyes. ;D
karma to you hillbillyken.

Cheers, Chevy.

[hillbillyken]

Thanx Chevy for the karma, I really enjoy saving money and thought I could post a few things I do to keep it interesting..HB Ken

[chevy]

After reading your post I went out to the garage and separated some things I had assembled to go to the dump. I think I can sell some of that so called "junk" Also, instead of just opening my monthly bills and paying them. I'm going to start paying attention to whats on them. Funny how reading a few words from some one can really make you think. Thanks again hillbillyken.

Cheers, Chevy.

[hillbillyken]

Good for you! ;D-Chevy