How to Live Frugally in Todays World.

My child isn't really old enough for us to have tested this, yet. But we don't watch TV and I think that this could be a good thing for living frugally. I've heard studies that say even the educational shows promote mostly product awareness for children (as opposed to actual learning). For example, a child who watches Dora all the time goes grocery shopping with mommy or daddy and sees Dora fruit snacks and just has to have them because they have Dora on them. Plus, you think about all the commercials geared toward kids. Well, maybe if they were exposed to less of that, it could help a family live more frugally? Just a thought.

There are 2 websites to help you out...

http://frugalabundance.com/

http://healthy.hillbillyhousewife.com/

Good Luck!

L.,

My husband and I make a very good living, but I'm not about to give my kids every toy there is and they don't need it. Most kids have way too many toys and they don't even play with them all.

When my girls were young, I would buy their Christmas and Birthday gifts at yard sales. You can find perfectly good toys there.

Also, we have so many aunts and uncles and grandparents that we only give our kids one gift for Christmas (Santa's) and one gift for their Birthday. By the time everyone else gives them 1 gift, it really gets to be too much.

We also only let them watch PBS or movies that we bought. This really keeps them from wanting every little toy that they advertise on TV. It also keeps them from learning how to back-talk to me. The few times I let them watch the Disney chanel, they started back-talking to me.

I also started at a young age to not buy them the little toys that they wanted in the grocery store. Occaisionally I would buy them a helium baloon which is cheap and at a young age, they love it.

Now that they are older, they earn "commission" when they work around the house for somethings and most things they do in the house because they are part of the family and that is what family members do.

When they do get their commission checks, we go and put 1/2 in a savings account, 10% in a tithe envelope and they have 40% to spend. That is more than enough money for them to buy little things.

Lately they have been wanting to collect Webkins. I think it is a huge waste of money to collect things that will soon have no value like that so I encourage them to think of other things that would be a better use of their money. They have a few Webkins and that is enough. When I didn't take them to buy Webkins last week, they came up with the idea to go to the painted pottery store and buy something to paint. They were so proud of themselves and they purchased something that is of much greater value in the long run.

I hope this helps, K.

Another great blog that posts ways to live frugally as a family is http://blog.al.com/frugalmom/.

I feel proud to be a princess of frugality - we live well and save a ton of money (both save in the spending sense and save in the put away for retirement/kids' college sense). The biggest thing is that we live in a house that is less than half of what the bank told us we could "afford". This, for us, means that our house payment is about 1/10 of our gross monthly income (rather than the 1/4 to 1/3 that many banks allow). The second thing we do is drive old but reliable cars. They are paid off - no car payments and low insurance rates. Our annual car insurance is about $600 for two adults and two cars. Then there's the small stuff...We use coupons and time them with sales. We buy in bulk and we stockpile things that don't go bad. We don't have a gym membership, a fancy cell phone, a fancy cell phone plan, fancy haircuts, fancy fingernails, fancy TV channels (beyond expanded cable), fancy lawn services, or other fancy things that are gone before you know it. We shop garage sales and have lots of fancy durable goods.

However, I'm human and like nice things. My home is filled with pretty cast-offs from yard sales and ebay. I have a closetful of shoes and clothes that I've done the same with. My kids dress in boutique and "expensive" clothing that I buy secondhand or on sale. I send my kids to private Montessori school where they're getting an unbelieveably wonderful education.

I also resell everything that we are done with through my own garage sales once a year. Anything that doesn't sell I carefully inventory and give to a charity which we then itemize on our tax return.

I know this is long but I don't even think it covers all the little things we do that make a big difference. I hope this helps - best wishes on your frugal journey.

I found some Great Ideas at FlyLady.net. One was-make sure when you need to shop that you PLAN for it. In other words-have a list of places you need to go and go out and do all the things on your list (Pharmacy, Dry Cleaner, Grocery store etc...) to save Gas. Also, pack snacks and drinks for your kids (AND yourSelf) at home so you aren't tempted to buy a bunch of stuff while you are out. AND you don't get a bunch of Stuff you don't really want/need at the Grocery store b/c you are Hungry.
The one thing I have found is that if you shop at a store with a floral shop-get each child a Balloon-it will most likely have the store's name on it, but it's FREE and my 25 month old LOVES it.-If your kids are too old for that then I would reccommend bring something they love-Book toy that's not too much trouble (not loud, not many pieces).
Also, I promise my daughter if she is really good, we can go to get a toy at the beginning of our next shopping trip-I take her to a dollar store (maybe once every few months) and get her something. She is as excited as if I spent $20.00 on one thing. :-)
I hope this helps. Oh-we have also found that Not eating out is much more frugal way of doing things. If you cook a lot of food (cook 3-4 lbs of meat when you are cooking)at a time (if you are baking something-fill the oven, it doesn't cost that much more electricity to add things and bake a little longer) and if necessary Freeze. Pre-assembly is also good-if you are using 1/2 a bell pepper (for example) go ahead and chop the entire thing and use it in a few days in another recipe-which is all part of planning.
lol-sorry I'm rambling around.
There are great ideas on FlyLady.net or if you just want to focus on the meal planning Food.net-Robin Miller and Rachel Ray have grocery lists and recipes you can print and use. Robin uses 3-4 meals at a time so when you print her groc. list you get almost a whole week's worth of lists/recipes.
Good Luck,
C.

L.,

Here is what I do to help with the ever-tightening budget. Starting in the kitchen: reuse plastic bags and tin foil; clip coupons and use them when the items are on sale; use generics; shop at Aldis (grocery store chain in the Midwest that is cheap!); use your grocery bags in trash cans instead of buying trash bags; take grocery bags back to the stores that give refunds (Dillons is .05 a bag); buy dented cans and other things half price; make your own cereal and bread; use rags for draining bacon grease instead of paper towels.
Dining room: use rags or cloth napkins instead of paper; don't use paper plates or bowls
Laundry: hang everything outside to dry; use cold water to wash (I still use hot water for things like underwear, socks, sheets, etc)
Household: switch to compact flourescent bulbs; turn off the lights; heat only the rooms used; heat with wood; turn the thermostat down to 68 degrees or lower; don't use the air conditioner until it's 90 degrees inside; cook as much as possible in a Crock-Pot so you don't have to cool the kitchen
Clothes: I never, never, never pay full price for anything but shoes and even those I buy on sale or with coupons; buy better quality clothes for the oldest child and pass them down; become a "charity case" so others will donate their kids' clothes to you; shop at Goodwill on their sale days; don't throw pantyhose away if no one can see the run
Others: use your childrens' 4H projects to help with the food budget (chickens provide meat and eggs, rabbits can be eaten, goats provide milk and meat); all the above animals can mow the lawn and provide cheap entertainment; garden; can the stuff you don't eat or can't sell

Oh my, I've typed too much already!

K.

I am curious as well! My husband and I also feel we do a pretty good job of not spoiling our kids and not buying everything we think we want. However, with the rotten ecomony right now and prices skyrocketing, it is getting harder and harder. I have found a few things over the years that have helped (when I remember to live by them!):

1. Menu plan and grocery shop from a list. It also helps to grocery shop as infrequently as possible and to do without children in tow so you can actually price compare and THINK!
2. Closet/Outfit plan and shop from a list. It is sooooo easy to walk into Old Navy and spend tons of money on pretty inexpensive things that we don't necessarily need. By planning what you (or the kids) need to complete their wardrobe, you can be much more picky and pass up things that are not on your list.
3. Try not to go shopping! Seems simple enough, but if you aren't in the stores, you aren't spending money!
4. Turn off the t.v. and stop feeding the "I want" monster. This works for my husband and I as well. So, we tape our favorite shows and fast forward through the commercials.
5. Emphasize to your kids that the less stuff you have, the less you have to clean! Involve them in chores and encourage them to give things away that they don't necessarily like/need anymore. Show them by example.

I am anxious to come back and see what everyone else has to say about this - right now I'm off to church to thank God for His bounteous blessings!

Read Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey. I bet you can find it at the library or buy it used online cheap. He teaches you how to set and stick to a budget, use cash for everything, (so long credit cards!!!!) pay yourself first, eliminate debt, and save for things you want. My husband and I got rid of thousands in credit card debt, student loans, car loans in less than 3 years. We live in a very nice home that cost about half of what the mortgage company was willing to loan us, and we'll have it paid off in a few more years, and we only bought it 5 years ago. We also bought 2 nice new cars in 3 years, with cash. We currently live on just hubby's salary, I became a SAHM when my son was born 2 years ago, which cut our income almost in half. But we've never felt a pinch.
While we certainly don't keep up with the Joneses, we want for nothing. I shop consignment sales and clearance sales for clothing, toys, and books for my kid(s). For example, last year I bought my son dozens of Ralph Lauren shirts and pants for less than 3$/item, brand new when a department store was going out of business. I bought him enough shirts for the next 4 years, and he wears Polo to play in!! I consign clothing in great condition, sell what doesn't consign at yardsales, then donate whats left for tax deductions. We get the Sunday paper and use the coupons along with store sales at the grocery store (many stores double coupons!) and save a lot of money. Meal planning also cuts down on grocery spending, and I try not to use premade meals - they are so expensive! I just make a lot of what I'm making and freeze the rest - reheating is quick and easy! We don't have expensive cell plans, live with basic cable, and I am always negotiating better deals on everything from the cable plan to life insurance.
We each have a small monthly stipend for buying ourselves the occasional 'treat' We can choose to spend it monthly, or save for what we want. My son is too young now to be obnoxious about wanting toys, but he's already learning that just because he sees it in the store he's not going to get it. We have a great playgroup, and its great for all the kids to spend time at each other's houses, and play with toys they don't have, plus they learn about sharing.

My husband and I have trouble not buying stuff for our two boys. If we have the itch I go to the Dollar Tree. Be picky but some of their stuff is good stuff. Like $1 board books that my 2 yr old loves. And if it gets broken you haven't lost a lot of money. But I try to tell the boys just one thing and that way the dollar store doesn't become the $15 dollar store.
The other thing I do is go to the local library for movie rentals for both the kids and for the adults. Our library just happens to have an actual play room so that is great for the boys to play with kids for a "play date" but you don't have the stress of pleasing any one or the expense of getting extra snacks.
Lastly for birthday party time I try to do games and art projects with simple glue sticks and construction paper. If I know my Brother or my Parents are giving really expensive toys, I try to get something little from us and my kids don't really realize that Mom and Dad didn't get a big present. Now this will change around age 8 but for my 6 year old he has been happy with playing games and normally can't tell you who game him what after the excitement is over.
This was a great question and I will be back to read everyone elses response. Thanks for a GREAT Learning Experience!!

Hi L.

Our family is trying to find ways to save money too. So far we make sure we eat our leftovers, hang out our clothes to dry, use coupons (of course), try to drive less, soon I hope to bike to the local stores with my daughter (we have a kid seat on the back), I'm also planning on using my daughters shirts that don't fit and sew them to the hem of her other shirts or pants to extend the life of them; besides getting more wear from them, I think it will be cute. We also keep the water in her baths fairly low, take 5 minute showers, and watch the amount of water used for washing dishes and brushing teeth as well. This time of year it is good to hit garage sales b/c you can get some nice toys in good condition for a lot less money. One other thing we are going to try is growing our own vegatables. And we are trying to spend less and stick to our budget too. I'm very interested to read your other response!

Good Luck

L.- I am with you. If you find out I'd love to know some secrets!

I'm a stay at home mom so I understand the word frugal. My youngest son is very picky so I keep cheap hot dogs on hand for a substitute meal for him. As far as everything else goes. We have several animals and so I keep everything for them to save on dog/goat/rabbit food. I save all the peels from apples, potatoes, etc. for rabbit and goats. And any leftovers we won't eat the next day or two go to the dogs. If I make a big batch of chili or soup I freeze the unused portion for a quick meal later.

In addition to the suggestions below, add these 3.
1) Use the library. Don't buy books anymore. You can get literally anything from the library -- if they don't have it, they can order it through interlibrary loan. I've gotten books from across the country. Also, this will become a huge fun day for your child. Instead of buying stuff, go to the library & come home with a sack of "treats" (fun books). They also have storytimes and perhaps crafts or other activites. Summer reading usually includes prizes (you'd read to her at this age, obviously).
2) Get out of the "disposable" mindset. Many disposable items are reusable (water bottles, containers, etc.), and many others are a waste of money. Think "reusable" whenever possible. For example, use rags or towels instead of paper towels for most jobs. Try cloth napkins. Reuse bread bags for wrapping sandwiches. Eliminate paper plates, cups, etc. except for birthday parties. Once you start thinking this way, you'll be surprised how much you can change. Over time it will add up, and it's also better for the environment.
3) Save big bucks by potty training your daughter now. Get the book Toilet Training in Less Than a Day by Azrin & Foxx (use the library), and follow their method (she's old enough). I trained my children at 20 months. This will save you time & hassel in addition to money.

- cloth diaper

- shop thrift stores

- join freecycle

- carpool

- go to the park or other free entertainment

- open the windows on nice days

- line dry your clothes

- use half the detergent you normally use to wash clothes

- save veggie scraps for soup

- make enough for two or more meals at a time and freeze the extra for nights you need or want something quick to prepare. The prep time is about the same for double recipes as is the cook time. This avoids expensive convenience foods.

- use a crock pot. You can prep the night before and set it on low to cook while you're at work. Dinner is made for you when you get home.

- take your breakfast and/or lunch with you instead of eating out.

- use coupons only if you're going to save money on the name brand over the store brand and it's something you will use.

- re-use as much as possible/reduce your disposables

- Turn out lights you aren't using.

- Grow your own veggies.

Basically, the three R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Hi L.,

I also want to thank you for this question! I've been waiting to read other replies before responding.
I agree with most everything. It's great, too, because most of these suggestions are also eco-friendly, encourage self-suffiency, involve your family in the community, and/or get your bodies moving!
If you don't hang your laundry, I want to heartily encourage you to do it. The drier is one of the greatest power-suckers in the house, and I've actually enjoyed hanging my clothes while watching my daughter play. It takes more time (and you have to watch the weather!), but it saves tons of money. High gas prices also mean high electrical bills for most folks. Living in the South, we hang all year. Free solar-powered drier! In that vein, also turn of other power suckers (like computers) when not in use.
One thing I didn't see mentioned was the Y. If you live near a YMCA, you might consider parting with a little money to join. You and your hubby can work out in the gym or take free classes (ours has a playroom for the kids), and your daughter can take classes or participate in sports for free or a very small fee as she gets older. Even though it's another monthly expense, it is WAY cheaper than some snobby club, it usually represents the diversity of the community in its membership, and it has a little something for everyone (often including swim lessons, ballet, gymnastics, tumbling, and team sports for the little ones).
Also, others hinted at this, but COOK! Buying real foods like beans, rice, and veggies and making your own concoctions is way cheaper than buying the processed foods I see many buying. Also, try to eat non-animal foods. Meat, dairy, and eggs are getting really expensive, and the production of animal products is an inefficient use of land. I still buy some of those things, but cutting back helps the budget, the environment and also possibly the waistline. ;-)
I won't repeat other suggestions. If we have missed something YOU do, please let us know your tips!

L.

I think I married your husbands brother, because mineis dorky as well lol.... I shop at the Sam's Club for bulk items, and I use to plant a garden for my veggies and fruits. My husband and I plan on getting out of the army in 2010 and have a house where we can have a huge garden and a bit of land for cattle and chickens. I grew up on a anch so to me its normal, for him, this will be something new. As for your children, if you do plant a garden, its a wonderful chancefor them to learn what the earth can do, and to tend to the "crop" watch it grow and then harvest.
I also watch for meat specials that the stores have and stock up in my small deep freezer, not to mention when you harvest you can save your veggies in the freezer bags and have fresh veggies all year round :)
Summer time you can hand the hangable clothing on hangers and hang them up when they come out of the wash (an extra spin might be better) or hang them on the line, winter time hang heavier curtains in the main rooms and over the larger windows to help hold the heat in and the cold out, weather strip any drafty doors and small area rugs on bare floors in the winter, make every dishwasher and washing machine load count, dont put just a few items in and wash, make them count and fill it up. Showers are better on water than a bath (unless you get stressed then you can have a bath to relax in ;) ) Water your lawn at night time once the sun goes down or fresh in the morning, night is better because the water wont evaporate over night and the roots get soaked good,...shoot I have a bunch of ideas, but Im on my first cup of coffee so Im slow this morning, hope the ideas that I did give you help.
OH and one more thing for the meat. If you buy in large amounts you can break them up into serving sizes and wrap them in freezer wrap (bulk buying again)

I have one more ideal there is a group call freecycle. They group list things you are will to part with and things you need. I have found a few things from there. I also have the pleasure of help others to things they need that I can no longer use.

Shop thrift stores for clothing and shoes. I have bought dresses at thrift stores for under five dollars that still had the original tags on them. Even Sprawl-mart can't beat that! I do draw the line at used undies, though.

No child ever died from hearing the word "no."
My daughter learned the meaning of the phrase "We can't afford that" almost as soon as she learned the phrase "I want."
I would try to set money aside to indulge her for Yule and her birthday, but she knew that she wasn't getting a toy every time we went to the store.
When she asked for junk food, I generally just told her, "No. That's not good for your body," told her what snacks I was willing to buy, and allowed her to choose one or two. Junk food was a rare treat, and generally reserved for holidays or birthday parties.

In addition to books, many libraries also loan out movies and cd's.