Last week I wrote the post 30 Things I Do Daily To Spend Less Money. The list was pretty straightforward, nothing earth-shattering or particularly eye-opening, just me sharing what I do. I didn’t anticipate anything coming from it. The first two comments on that post were:
- NMPatricia: This is a good list. I felt good to know that I am doing all of these things. The question is – where to go from here?
- Brenda: My question as well.
I began a reply in the comments section a couple times but ended up erasing it. I don’t think either of theses ladies were looking for a one-sentence response. They got me thinking though and I don’t think there’s one, clear-cut answer because people are frugal for different reasons.
For those of you living a pretty frugal life you’ve probably already heard most of the tips, tricks and ideas out there. You’ve found some of them useful and some of them not. You don’t need a post telling you how to be frugal because you already are. You need to know what to do next.
To be honest, I’m probably not the best person to give you this advice because I am in the same boat as you. I’m living very frugal and still in debt which means I’m not on the other side of it yet. The only thing I can share with you is what I’m doing; what seems to be working and what doesn’t. I’m willing to share if you’re willing to listen (Ok, read). Fair enough? Let’s dive in.
Before I can answer the “what’s next” question I need to ask you another: Why are you frugal? People are frugal for many different reasons but it basically breaks down to two:
- I’m frugal because I have to be.
- I’m frugal because I want to be.
I think a lot of people are frugal for both reasons but lean more toward one. I’m frugal for both reasons but more because I have to be. There are some things I would not choose to skimp on if I did not have to. I don’t want to drink cheap coffee. If you are frugal mostly because you want to be then your situation is likely quite a bit different than the ”have to be’s.” If you’re a “want to be” then I’m assuming you don’t really need a what’s next post. You’ve probably got things pretty much together or at least have a plan in place that’s working for you. Pat yourself on the back. You rock. I’m going to be you one day 
OK, so back to the “have to be’s.” Would I be correct in saying that if you weren’t frugal then the money coming in the house wouldn’t cover all of your expenses? Or the biggest reason that you’re super careful about the money you spend is because if you weren’t then you couldn’t make your car payment? My answer to those questions is “yes.” Are we on the same page? If we are, then tomorrow’s post is for you.
I’m going to leave you hanging on this one. Be sure to check in tomorrow for my answer to the “what’s next” question. In the meantime, weigh in. Why are you frugal?
Why I do what I do ~ We went mini-golfing this past weekend. In the “Why I do what I do” of my last post I told you that Chloe said she was “too pretty tiny” to go golfing. Apparently she was wrong. Not only did she legitimately get a hole-in-one, she also told my mother that she’d teach her how to golf.
photo credit: alamosbasement
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m frugal because I want to be AND because I have to be. I believe in washing out baggies, line drying our clothes and reducing/reusing because our earth deserves it. (I’ve been doing things like this since the early 80’s). I am frugal also because if I wasn’t, we would not be able to survive my husbands 3 layoffs in the past 4 years. The mortgage is still paid, the car payments are still being made (almost done 1!)there is healthy food on my table and although we are in debt (not much by average standards), we are making it because we are frugal.
@Nancy from MASS – That’s awesome! Congrats on having one car almost paid off! Before you know it you’ll be frugal mostly because you “want to be.”
Since I was one of the original two comments, I think it is only respectful to follow up. Yes, I am frugal for both of the reasons. We have had a significant drop in income which has lead to drastically cutting our/my expenses. That part has not been fun. However, as I progress in this lifestyle, I am finding contentment and yes, almost fun in doing things in a way that is simple, uncomplicated, and most of the time, fun. I also am finding reading web sites on both frugality and “green” that being one or the other satisfies the other. And I believe being “green” is the right thing to do.
I did not post my comment as a “what else” in a disrespectful tone. I am anxious to find more ways at frugality. I want to save more money. I want to simplify my life more. I want to be more green. And I am looking at ways to find the happiness and contentment in this lifestyle. I believe the whole thing is more mental than knowing tricks. However, some of the tricks are helpful. And fun.
Thank you for your postings. I read faithfully and wish you well, success, and happiness in your journey.
Well, I am frugal right now because I WANT to be in preparation for when I will be frugal because I HAVE to be. My husband and I are currently DINK, but once we have kids I plan on staying at home. We make semi-decent money together, so we’ve managed to pay off all his student loans, pay off a car, and are now saving for a house/retirement/replacement car when needed. My husband is a youth pastor however, so we won’t exactly be rolling in the money when I quit my job.
I’m very excited to read your upcoming post. I have been feeling this way myself. We do so much already that I feel at a loss for what to do next.
Kelli M´s last blog ..Attention Facebook Users!
@NMPatricia – I didn’t think your first reply was disrespectful AT ALL
I like to find way new ways to spend less too!
@KelliM – How smart you are! You’ll be happy you were frugal before you needed to be. I sure wish I was
Hi Nicki and all,
I guess that we are frugal because we want to be and because we have to be, both. Because I am still in school and also will have a student loan to pay off at the end, we have learned to live pretty tight.
Here are two things that I have found helpful for challenging us to go the next step:
One is that I just edited our budget in preparation for the start of our second year of budgeting. Now that I know more about our habits, needs, etc. I adjusted some of the goals/limits to be more realistic and a few of them to be more challenging.
The second is that I am going to try to do some things I have always wanted to try, but never done, like canning vegetables/fruit this summer for next winter. Even though we already cook mainly from scratch and try not to go out, I think this next step will be rewarding on many levels. I’m sure we all have a challenge or two that we have considered but not tried yet.
Reading blogs like this one gives me the encouragement I need to go for it!
Sarah
@Sarah I. – I really like your second point, trying something you’ve always wanted to try. I’ve been thinking about a couple things like that myself.
For us, frugality is both a want and a need. On the one hand, we are frugal so that I can be a SAHM (grandma, actually), and if I worked outside the home, we wouldn’t have to be as frugal as we are. But on the other hand, if I did work outside the home, I can’t imagine that we wouldn’t continue to be frugal.
We just can’t see how it makes sense to spend more than necessary for most items. We don’t see how it makes sense to throw out useful or repairable items just because we’ve tired of them or don’t feel like taking the time to fix them. We don’t understand the idea of always buying new when in most cases used is as good or even better. Although we have a mortgage and a rapidly dwindling car payment, we don’t see how being in debt makes sense and are working hard to become debt free.
We enjoy finding bargains, making repairs, cooking at home, growing some of our food, doing DIY projects, and finding alternative uses for things otherwise destined for the dump.
I really don’t think we’d live much differently at any income level.
Annie Jones´s last blog ..Cooking at Camp
@Annie Jones – I feel the same way. There are few luxuries I would add to my life if I had a cushier income. I’m pretty happy with the things we have right now
Living frugal has magnified the things I really love, making other stuff seem like it isn’t as important anymore.
I am frugal because it is a way of life for me. I grew up in a frugal household where the value of a dollar came from how far you could stretch it. I enjoy seeing how hard my money can work for me (getting things for free after coupons just puts me on cloud 9!!). I also enjoy the simple pleasures that come from doing some things yourself – canning, sewing, cooking, etc.
@Catherine – You and I could be two peas in a pod!
It’s been fun to read the comments on this post. I, too, am frugal both because I need to be and want to be. Once we had our twin daughters, our expenses soared. I know it’s possible to have kids on the cheap, but for us, going from no kids to two kids, was a hit to our finances.
I started being frugal out of necessity, I remain frugal because I found that living with less feels better. Stuff really does weigh me down and I’ve found that less expensive choices are often much better for us.
For example, it’s much cheaper to cook at home and the food is actually a lot better and the time more enjoyable than eating out. Also, free entertainment is a lot more fun that some more costly versions – -like taking the kids to the park, or planting things in our garden, or going for walks and bike rides together. . .lots of fun for free.
This has been fun to think about. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s post.
Beth @ Smart Family Tips´s last blog ..Short Trip and Good Reads
@Beth – I find myself agreeing with everyone here. Being frugal DOES make me feel less weighed down. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!