It is my New Years resolution to be more frugal!!

[frenchie]

I'm going to try my hardest to be a good steward with our finances this year.....and to teach my husband about finances as well.
My husband and I are very compulsive spenders.....what's even worse, my husband was given *everything* he wanted up until his mom lost her job 2 years ago! Let's do the math...we've been married for 7 years.......need I say more? He gets so frustrated when he doesn't get what he wants, when he wants it. I have to listen to him complain on a regular basis about what we don't have.....we don't have the car he wants, or the computer he wants, or the digital camers that he wants......etc :cry: cry me a friggin river!!!
So anyhow, I would like to get BOTH of us on track with our spending, and really learn how to take advantage of sales, rebates and stuff like that. I'm famous for never taking advantage of rebates.....laziness maybe? I would love some pointers and ideas on how to achieve ultimate frugalness without being cheap....if that makes sense.

[dvmarie]

This is my resolution too (not exactly by choice).

Here is how I've started so far:

* I keep a daily record of my expenses in a small spiral notebook. Just having to do this has kept my spending at bay.

* If I need clothes, I have to shop the Goodwill first - then, if they don't have what I need I can go to Walmart or Target (usually it's just pants I have to buy new because Goodwill doesn't ever have pants in my size).

* I got a second job (though I don't think this has anything to do with frugality).

* I'm re-using my ziplock bags at least once.

* I'm in the process of learning to change the oil in my truck and give it a tuneup (from a waitress at my second job!). This will save me a lot of money over a year because I have to change the oil every 3,000 miles and it costs me $28 every time.

* I made a wish list of the things I really need (most of them home improvement items). I keep it in my purse in case I come to a yard sale - and it helps keep me from spending (I have the estimated $$$ figure next to each item I really need).

There's more, but I have to go to my second job now..... :)

[Coney]

I put my veggies and fruits in those produce bags at the grocery. I re-use those for bringing sandwiches or chips to work in my lunch. You can rinse them out and as long as you're not real hard on them, they'll last quite a while--and they're free! A bag is a bag, afterall.

I suggest always looking in those grocery store flyers that come out on Saturdays for bargains on canned goods, cereals, etc.

Second, I recently discovered "Arm & Hammer's Super Washing Soda". It's laundry detergent powder, that works EXCELLENTLY as a cleaner, too. It's about $2.50 a box, but I don't ever buy 409 or Tub and Tile Cleaner anymore. I'ts 100% natural, no dyes or perfumes. It gets the gooey stuff off your stove hood better than anything else *ever*. I highly suggest trying it out. At least you'll save a bit on cleaners if you don't like using if for laundry.

Those are my frugal suggestions...

[frenchie]

Well, sounds like I'm on the right track so far. I have been charting my spending, which has been a big improvement, I just need to keep it up. I bought a planner to keep in my purse that has given me the security of organization. I made a wishlist of things for my house, dvmarie, on New Year's day! What a great suggestion anyhow!
I've also decided to keep track of my income at work, which I have never been good at. I'm a hairdresser, so I get alot of cash, which gets spent before I get to the bank, most of the time. I'm determined to keep a log of funds recieved from my clients, so I can see exactly how much money I make daily. Maybe then I will be a better steward with my money. Thanks for the suggestions, I will definately put some of them to use.

[rvijay]

Take the free Online Frugal Living Course at http://frugalliving.about.com

[kristadb]

oh cool! a course!