Are you frugal? What is the most extreme thing you've ever done to save money?

1. 59

   ElleBeeposted 12 years ago

   Are you frugal? What is the most extreme thing you've ever done to save money?

   replyreport
2. 68

   BSloanposted 12 years ago

   I always try to be as frugal as possible but in a practical way.  The most I do to save money is clip coupons, cook at home for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and swap clothes with family and friends.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      ElleBeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Those are all great ways to save money.

      replyreport
3. 38

   ZIa Ahmed khanposted 12 years ago

   No, I am not. I always try to make within my defined budget still keep aside something for rainy days.  Even when I am tight I never try to save money. My philosophy  is how to increase the source of income income rather than cut expenditure.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      ElleBeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Increasing income is definitely important, although I think we usually do best with a balance of earning and saving.

      replyreport
4. 73

   susansiskposted 12 years ago

   I went back to the store when I saw on my receipt that my coupons had not been deducted.  It was only a few dollars, and I probably spent that much on gas, but it was the principal of the thing.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      ElleBeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have definitely done that before! And very true that it probably didn't save too much in the end when accounting for gas.

      replyreport
5. 80

   Francesca27posted 12 years ago

   Yes, I am a bit Frugal.  I once filled a pillow with dryer lint. I would not suggest this because it is a little dusty.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      ElleBeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I imagine that would be quite dusty. I won't be trying it out!

      replyreport
6. 60

   loyalsudzposted 12 years ago

   It may seem simplistic but I prepared a zero based budget.  I try to account for every dollar and then arrange for it to go into the proper savings or spending category.  It really helped me to see that there are some goals I can achieve much faster than I initially thought, others will just take time.  It also allows me to see what months I really cannot afford to extend my self or else it could hurt my savings goals. Other than that, I tend to do a lot of sewing at times to keep clothing longer and in good repair and I stay away from dry cleaners, if it is not wash and wear, I will not buy it.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      ElleBeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      that makes sense,  dry cleaning bills can definitely be a hassle!

      replyreport
7. 85

   Beata Stasakposted 12 years ago

   My Grandparents and Great Grandparents lived throught World Wars and learnt to survive on barely nothing. My parents have been born straight after the war and remember being hungry most of the time...the frugality is in their blood, they had been saving all their life and taught us kids to do the same....I teach my children to save in memory of those mentioned above....because we are just much more fortunate....we all need to learn to save...because you never know how long your fortune will last....

   replyreport
   1. 59

      ElleBeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Very true.  Today many of us are lucky to save for the future instead of today's necessity.  Sounds like frugality is a great family legacy that you had passed down to you.

      replyreport
8. 68

   Vik Belusoposted 12 years ago

   I've always been really frugal.  Money represents freedom to me, and to blow it on unnecessary this-and-that means i have to do more work, and thus be less free. 
   I guess the most extreme thing i've done is lived without a car for about five years in a very car-centered town.  I rode a bike everywhere.  Not so much fun in the wintertime.  But seeing that money in the bank which would otherwise have been spent on car payments, gas, maintenance, insurance, etc made up for it.  It was instrumental in putting together the down payment for my house. Also got me into shape, made me somewhat tougher than i had been.

   replyreport