The following is a regular feature by Kyle of Rather-Be-Shopping. If you like this post, consider subscribing to his blog’s RSS feed.
As I have documented on my blog, I grew up with very frugal parents. My Dad had a brick in the back of the toilet, the lights were never on in a room that wasn’t occupied, and we were encouraged to wear warm clothing all winter long because our main source of heat was from a wood burning stove. He got the wood for free by cutting it himself! Growing up, I thought my Dad was just a cheap guy, but now as a father of my own, I see his wisdom. This wisdom eventually allowed him to retire as a school teacher at age 55, with zero debt, and a nest egg that lets him and my Mom enjoy retirement, grandchildren, and life, to the fullest.
While I don’t come close to his frugal living, some of it definitely rubbed off. For me, frugality is more of a state-of-mind rather than a set of rules. A state-of-mind that involves being happy with what you actually have rather than being consumed with what you don’t. For me, this is a very liberating feeling. A feeling that took a while to capture. While in college and for several years after I graduated, I got caught up in the ‘buy it now, figure out how to pay for it later’ lifestyle. This led to pretty ugly and overwhelming credit card debt. My Dad knew I was in trouble financially and one day pulled me aside, and said something that I will have ingrained in my mind until the day I die. He said, “Kyle, cut up your credit cards, they will never bring you the happiness you are looking for.”
I did exactly that, and started a long 5-year journey to financial freedom. Somewhere along the line, I think by necessity, I started to become more frugal in order to save money every month. Money that was put directly into lowering my credit card debt. It then just became second nature to try and reduce and reuse the stuff in my life and I haven’t looked back.
Also, I work way to hard to squander money by paying full price when you can use coupons or discount stores. This was actually why I started my website over 7 years ago. I was finding all of these great money saving coupons and so I started posting them on my site for my friends and family to use as well. At the time, I had no idea it would grow to what it is today. In keeping with tradition of my weekly posts for Lynnae, here are a few of the more popular offers on my site for September. Hopefully they can help you save some money or get free shipping on something you need and were going to buy anyways.
Art.com
Get 25% taken Off your entire online purchase
Coupon Code: USA25
Exp: 9/05/08
See All: Art.com Coupons
Diapers.com
Get $10 Off your $49 or more Online Purchase + Free Shipping
Coupon Code: TENOFF49
Exp: 9/30/08
See All: Diapers.com Coupons
Eddie Bauer.com
Get 20% taken off when your purchase includes at least one pair of pants
Coupon Code: FALRESH8
Exp: 9/22/08
See All: Eddie Bauer Coupons
JCPenney.com
Get Free Shipping on your $49 or more order
Coupon Code: LABORDAY
Exp: 9/05/08
See All: JCPenney Coupons
Kohls.com
Get 10% off your entire online purchase
Coupon Code: NEW8163
Exp: 9/06/08
See All: Kohls Coupons
Lane Bryant.com
Get $25 off your $75 or more online purchase
Coupon Code: 025002577
Exp: 10/14/08
See All: Lane Bryant Coupons
Linens N Things.com
Get 20% taken off your entire online purchase
Coupon Code: AUG2008
Exp: 9/06/08
See All: Linens N Things Coupons
Puma Store.com
Get 20% taken off your entire online purchase
Coupon Code: BTS77
Exp: 9/30/08
See All: Puma Coupons
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
If we would all simply become content with what we have, we would see a HUGE change in our spending habits. We would no longer feel the need for the largest home, newer car, designer clothing, etc… We would learn to appreciate what we have and simply live with just that. Very good article, thank you for the reminder that frugal living is a mind set, instead of a set of strict rules.
Thanks for the great links. I really appreciate the discounts and help
Great post! I try not to buy anything without using a coupon or it has to be on sale. I’ve been really focusing on reducing my debt and putting any extra income toward paying off bills. You have to change your way of thinking when it comes to money and slowly you’ll start noticing results
Thanks for the links; I am trying to use more and more coupons to save up. I used to think they were useless, until my own wife told me how much she’s saved on online coupons.
great articles thanks : ]