Comments on: How to Start Being Frugal http://beingfrugal.net/2009/01/12/how-to-start-being-frugal/ Live more. Spend less. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:04:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Kate@LivingTheFrugalLife http://beingfrugal.net/2009/01/12/how-to-start-being-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-14142 Kate@LivingTheFrugalLife Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:49:11 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1426#comment-14142 I completely agree about the baby steps and gradual change. The day-to-day habits must be integrated gradually so that they become the new normal, as you say. But then there are also the once-and-done frugal steps, like installing CF light bulbs, or putting a brick in your toilet tank to save on water, or comparison shopping to make sure you're paying competitive rates on all insurance policies. Those steps are pretty exciting because a one time effort continues to save money over a very long period. Some of those once-and-done things can be taken on in a big pile, without affecting daily life. So that's a good area to look at when you're new to frugality. I completely agree about the baby steps and gradual change. The day-to-day habits must be integrated gradually so that they become the new normal, as you say. But then there are also the once-and-done frugal steps, like installing CF light bulbs, or putting a brick in your toilet tank to save on water, or comparison shopping to make sure you’re paying competitive rates on all insurance policies. Those steps are pretty exciting because a one time effort continues to save money over a very long period. Some of those once-and-done things can be taken on in a big pile, without affecting daily life. So that’s a good area to look at when you’re new to frugality.

]]> By: Links for Living To Budget - 18th January 2009 | Live To Budget http://beingfrugal.net/2009/01/12/how-to-start-being-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-14137 Links for Living To Budget - 18th January 2009 | Live To Budget Sat, 17 Jan 2009 23:40:17 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1426#comment-14137 [...] from Being Frugal wrote on How To Start Being Frugal, pointing out that trying to change everything at once is unlikely to ever work. One of the keys, [...] [...] from Being Frugal wrote on How To Start Being Frugal, pointing out that trying to change everything at once is unlikely to ever work. One of the keys, [...]

]]> By: Geezeo » Blog Archive » Frugal Round-Up : Baby Steps, Concepts, and Your… Waistline? http://beingfrugal.net/2009/01/12/how-to-start-being-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-14128 Geezeo » Blog Archive » Frugal Round-Up : Baby Steps, Concepts, and Your… Waistline? Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:01:30 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1426#comment-14128 [...] have the personal finance bloggers been talking about this week with regards to frugality?  Being frugal reminds us that baby steps are the keys to success!  Almost Frugal gives us a frugal concept to [...] [...] have the personal finance bloggers been talking about this week with regards to frugality?  Being frugal reminds us that baby steps are the keys to success!  Almost Frugal gives us a frugal concept to [...]

]]> By: rosemarie http://beingfrugal.net/2009/01/12/how-to-start-being-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-14107 rosemarie Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:33:40 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1426#comment-14107 I also think that you have to do what's important for you. Some things you may feel it's wise to spend more money on, other things not so much. If you take it at "your speed" you're more apt to succeed. I also think that you have to do what’s important for you. Some things you may feel it’s wise to spend more money on, other things not so much. If you take it at “your speed” you’re more apt to succeed.

]]> By: Kate in NY http://beingfrugal.net/2009/01/12/how-to-start-being-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-14085 Kate in NY Wed, 14 Jan 2009 01:00:53 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1426#comment-14085 To be honest, my frugal "revelation" came when I read the book "Home Comforts," by Cheryl Mendelsohn. In it, she advises the primary "home keeper" to come up with some kind of schedule - a list of each day and the primary task to be accomplished on that day, with one day built in for "organizing tasks," and specific days for laundry and shopping (one big, one mini), cleaning, bill-paying, etc. I used to wake up each day thinking, "what do I need to get done today?" and I'd end up feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume. I'd also spend way, way too much in the process, because I was so disorganized and going to the store all the time, paying bills late because I had no system, etc. I think that organization and frugality go hand in hand. Now I don't go to the store (barring an emergency) unless it is a designated shopping day. It is really helping me! Kate To be honest, my frugal “revelation” came when I read the book “Home Comforts,” by Cheryl Mendelsohn. In it, she advises the primary “home keeper” to come up with some kind of schedule – a list of each day and the primary task to be accomplished on that day, with one day built in for “organizing tasks,” and specific days for laundry and shopping (one big, one mini), cleaning, bill-paying, etc. I used to wake up each day thinking, “what do I need to get done today?” and I’d end up feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume. I’d also spend way, way too much in the process, because I was so disorganized and going to the store all the time, paying bills late because I had no system, etc. I think that organization and frugality go hand in hand. Now I don’t go to the store (barring an emergency) unless it is a designated shopping day. It is really helping me!

Kate

]]> By: AJ McCreary http://beingfrugal.net/2009/01/12/how-to-start-being-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-14079 AJ McCreary Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:47:41 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1426#comment-14079 Great post, I agree with the baby steps and mastering one thing at a time! I have found it really helpful to focus on the little things I enjoy, like cooking, and though I do not have time to do it every night I will multi-task and make dinner and breakfast at the same time (because I have more time in the morning) and then just reheat it for dinner when I roll in at 8 or 9pm. Then I know I have a yummy meal to look forward to, or my friend and I make our laundry soap together, its a fun little project and we chit chat and catch up while doing it. Things like that help keep me focused on my money saving goals and keep me enjoying the tasks! Great post, I agree with the baby steps and mastering one thing at a time! I have found it really helpful to focus on the little things I enjoy, like cooking, and though I do not have time to do it every night I will multi-task and make dinner and breakfast at the same time (because I have more time in the morning) and then just reheat it for dinner when I roll in at 8 or 9pm. Then I know I have a yummy meal to look forward to, or my friend and I make our laundry soap together, its a fun little project and we chit chat and catch up while doing it. Things like that help keep me focused on my money saving goals and keep me enjoying the tasks!

]]> By: Frugal Dad http://beingfrugal.net/2009/01/12/how-to-start-being-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-14072 Frugal Dad Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:26:01 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1426#comment-14072 The thing I enjoy about living frugal is the varying degrees of frugality you can strive for. It can be as simple as only drinking water or switching to cloth napkins, or as deep as raising chickens and commuting by bicycle. Each person has a level they are comfortable with, and each of us can always find room for improvement--I know I can! The thing I enjoy about living frugal is the varying degrees of frugality you can strive for. It can be as simple as only drinking water or switching to cloth napkins, or as deep as raising chickens and commuting by bicycle.

Each person has a level they are comfortable with, and each of us can always find room for improvement–I know I can!

]]> By: momstheword http://beingfrugal.net/2009/01/12/how-to-start-being-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-14063 momstheword Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:45:34 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1426#comment-14063 I would begin with my grocery budget, because that is what we did when my husband was out of work for a year. I would pay attention to what I was buying and determine what was a luxury and what was a need. I would make up a pricebook so that I could determine what was the lowest, rock-bottom price for an item, and then I would buy several and begin stockpiling (buying as much as you need to last you until it goes on sale again) my pantry. I would look at the store flyers, buy in bulk, and use cash to pay for my purchases so that I don't impulse buy. I would begin with my grocery budget, because that is what we did when my husband was out of work for a year. I would pay attention to what I was buying and determine what was a luxury and what was a need. I would make up a pricebook so that I could determine what was the lowest, rock-bottom price for an item, and then I would buy several and begin stockpiling (buying as much as you need to last you until it goes on sale again) my pantry. I would look at the store flyers, buy in bulk, and use cash to pay for my purchases so that I don’t impulse buy.

]]> By: Chiot's Run http://beingfrugal.net/2009/01/12/how-to-start-being-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-14059 Chiot's Run Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:03:22 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1426#comment-14059 I found it best to start with something small and easy to attain. That way you're encouraged and move on to something bigger and harder next time. The best thing we ever did was decide to go one full year without buying one piece of clothing or anything we didn't absolutely need. It was a huge eye-opener. I was pretty frugal before, but I realized after that we had a lot of things we could do better at! I found it best to start with something small and easy to attain. That way you’re encouraged and move on to something bigger and harder next time.

The best thing we ever did was decide to go one full year without buying one piece of clothing or anything we didn’t absolutely need. It was a huge eye-opener. I was pretty frugal before, but I realized after that we had a lot of things we could do better at!

]]> By: trek http://beingfrugal.net/2009/01/12/how-to-start-being-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-14058 trek Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:02:49 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1426#comment-14058 Very much about baby steps and making the small changes become habit before working on another area. Happy Delurking Day. Very much about baby steps and making the small changes become habit before working on another area.

Happy Delurking Day.

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