The Frugal Lifestyle

violaine · 11-16-2009, 04:43 PM

i will be frugal whenever purchasing a lot of items- because name brand on dry beans usually does not matter. the store does, however. marsh sells fava beans for 8$ a package! international market 2$. big difference. produce is very important to me, being a vegan. local tomatoes/farm stands during the summer. aldi is good, but i always check closely the packages underneath for the perishable berries, especially. frozen is not bad, but i never eat store canned. one item i absolutely cannot do the GV brand is coffee! kroger is ohk- but second choice.

Bit · 11-16-2009, 04:57 PM

I stock up... sometimes it causes temporary budget problems, but oh my, the worry-free months after that! I bought four big canisters of Folgers coffee when it went on sale for $6 several months ago. Tis the kind Gryph prefers and it's cheaper than generic. We still had three canisters left from the last time, giving me seven plus the open one. I have five more months of coffee to go before I will have to pay full price... and I'm always watching to see if they put it on sale like that again. They seem to do so twice a year.

When they changed the size of the veggies at Kroger, I was really upset; they downsized their frozen veggies from 16 oz to 12 oz, but they left the price the same. I bought thirty pounds of the leftover pound bags. We're almost out now, so I'll have to pay the higher price, but in the meantime I discovered that Aldi's sells decent fresh produce at an affordable price--and I discovered I can get there, lol--so I'm not as dependent on the Kroger frozen veggies anymore. here's hoping that next summer I can grow my own and be even more independent!

SuperFemme · 11-16-2009, 05:02 PM

Medusa · 11-16-2009, 05:35 PM

I wear my "cheap ass" badge proudly

Since moving to Arkansas, our monthly financial output is significantly lower. Not just because we don't have a mortgage payment but we also chose to pay off our truck as well.

The biggest difference since coming here is that we RARELY eat out anymore. In Los Angeles, it was nothing for us to eat out 2 - 3 times a week. Being in the sticks like we are here, we can't just run down to the nearest Outback Steakhouse and drop $60 on a meal. Nope. It's more like I buy groceries once a week and we eat at home every night....AND we eat much better.

I have my favorite "cheap ass" discussion every night with Jack over dinner (I dont know how she tolerates me). It goes like this:

Me: "Honey, you will never guess how cheap this dinner is!"
Jack: "I'm sure you're gonna tell me!"
Me: "Well, this piece of roast is HALF of the roast we ate last week that I froze, so that part is $2! The potatoes and carrots are another $2! The onion and gravy MIGHT come out to $1! And the rolls come out to .25 each! So that means that for $6, we are going to get TWO meals EACH. WEEEEEEEEEEE - BABE! THAT COMES OUT TO $1.50 PER MEAL!"

And really, when you think about easily spending $6 for a sack of crap from McDonalds or Wendys -its fabulous!

Cowboi · 11-16-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medusa

I wear my "cheap ass" badge proudly

Since moving to Arkansas, our monthly financial output is significantly lower. Not just because we don't have a mortgage payment but we also chose to pay off our truck as well.

The biggest difference since coming here is that we RARELY eat out anymore. In Los Angeles, it was nothing for us to eat out 2 - 3 times a week. Being in the sticks like we are here, we can't just run down to the nearest Outback Steakhouse and drop $60 on a meal. Nope. It's more like I buy groceries once a week and we eat at home every night....AND we eat much better.

I have my favorite "cheap ass" discussion every night with Jack over dinner (I dont know how she tolerates me). It goes like this:

Me: "Honey, you will never guess how cheap this dinner is!"
Jack: "I'm sure you're gonna tell me!"
Me: "Well, this piece of roast is HALF of the roast we ate last week that I froze, so that part is $2! The potatoes and carrots are another $2! The onion and gravy MIGHT come out to $1! And the rolls come out to .25 each! So that means that for $6, we are going to get TWO meals EACH. WEEEEEEEEEEE - BABE! THAT COMES OUT TO $1.50 PER MEAL!"

And really, when you think about easily spending $6 for a sack of crap from McDonalds or Wendys -its fabulous!

I miss having home cooked meals!... When I was growing up I used to think how kool it would be to eat out all the time. Ummmm... Now I wish I had my Moms home cooked meals!

Bit · 11-16-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medusa

I have my favorite "cheap ass" discussion every night with Jack over dinner (I dont know how she tolerates me).

*laughing* I dunno how Gryph tolerates me, either.

Have you noticed that after a while of cooking at home, you can't tolerate most fast food? Or is that just me? What a distressing surprise that was! I just cannot handle the grease anymore.

Which is pretty funny when you consider that I am NOT a diet cook and I'm all verklempt cuz I didn't realize that I ran out of butter, lol.... but there's such a difference in how my system tolerates what I cook, and most fast food.

I suppose it's just as well, since cooking at home is so much cheaper, eh?

Gemme · 11-16-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medusa

I wear my "cheap ass" badge proudly

Since moving to Arkansas, our monthly financial output is significantly lower. Not just because we don't have a mortgage payment but we also chose to pay off our truck as well.

The biggest difference since coming here is that we RARELY eat out anymore. In Los Angeles, it was nothing for us to eat out 2 - 3 times a week. Being in the sticks like we are here, we can't just run down to the nearest Outback Steakhouse and drop $60 on a meal. Nope. It's more like I buy groceries once a week and we eat at home every night....AND we eat much better.

I have my favorite "cheap ass" discussion every night with Jack over dinner (I dont know how she tolerates me). It goes like this:

Me: "Honey, you will never guess how cheap this dinner is!"
Jack: "I'm sure you're gonna tell me!"
Me: "Well, this piece of roast is HALF of the roast we ate last week that I froze, so that part is $2! The potatoes and carrots are another $2! The onion and gravy MIGHT come out to $1! And the rolls come out to .25 each! So that means that for $6, we are going to get TWO meals EACH. WEEEEEEEEEEE - BABE! THAT COMES OUT TO $1.50 PER MEAL!"

And really, when you think about easily spending $6 for a sack of crap from McDonalds or Wendys -its fabulous!

hahahahahahahahahaha

My housemate is like that. We're both coupon clippers and really shop the sales, but she also has access to the base shopping which has phenomenal deals, so she's always breaking stuff down like that for us. I'm the only one who tolerates her because, secretly, I want to be able to buy 4 bottles of Garnier shampoo for $1.50 too.

violaine · 11-17-2009, 10:31 AM

reading about coupons, i saw a woman at the market the other day who was flipping through a binder in her buggy. 4x6 clear photo spaces were used for her coupons. pages could be added to the binder.. her book was full of coupons and pages !

coach · 09-04-2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medusa

I have my favorite "cheap ass" discussion every night with Jack over dinner (I dont know how she tolerates me). It goes like this:

Me: "Honey, you will never guess how cheap this dinner is!"
Jack: "I'm sure you're gonna tell me!"
Me: "Well, this piece of roast is HALF of the roast we ate last week that I froze, so that part is $2! The potatoes and carrots are another $2! The onion and gravy MIGHT come out to $1! And the rolls come out to .25 each! So that means that for $6, we are going to get TWO meals EACH. WEEEEEEEEEEE - BABE! THAT COMES OUT TO $1.50 PER MEAL!"

OMG! Doc and I have this discussion almost every night! Same as y'all, what was for dinner when I lived in CA was Drive-thru!

When I go into a store, any retail store, the first thing I look for is my buddy "Clarence". Most stores have a whole section. At Target, if you cruise the store on the outside aisles, there are "Clarence" sections on the end caps about every 4 or 5 rows.

I ALWAYS shop at thrift stores. I almost never buy brand new clothes for myself. Just not necessary. My bonus boys used to love thrift store shopping but my bonus daughter doesnt want anything to do with it. The last time we went, she kept hovering over me like someone might bite her or something. She'll learn...I hope.

The best thing about being frugal is that on occasion, we can go somewhere, like Little Rock this year, and not worry about money. The whole time we were on vacation this time, we didn't check the bank balance at all. This is unusual for me because I constantly worry about money.

I dont use my credit cards anymore. I have had to use them for emergencies in the past but I leave them at home now. Those balances are creeping downward ever so slowly.

I have re-financed my car loan because when I bought it with crappy credit, the interest rate was two figures. I got a new loan at my credit union for about half what I was paying.

I love this thread! I can get money saving tips here so that when I want to, I can afford to be generous!

ruthie14 · 09-04-2010, 11:41 AM

Have to say I love this thread. I have been more or less frugal, depending on my circumstances, for most of my life. Currently trying to be VERY frugal as my full time job and part time job just aren't cutting it right now. I had some unexpected hospital and car bills... so that put me under. When my step kids lived at home we had no child support coming in from their mother and other funiacial issues so we were quite strapped. I made homemade maple syrup.. no not real but quite tasty actually. I made pancakes from scratch..extrememely easy. Can't eat them now because of celiac, but they were a great dinner for my family back in the day. The other day I bought a small bag of black beans and a box of walmart brand instant brown rice. Used half of each to make beans and rice... spices, onions, peppers etc. I have gotten 6 meals out of it. Added some chicken chorizo i had in the freezer (a little goes a long way) for a variety in 3 of the meals. I shop at Aldi regularly. Love Goodwill..but right now can't even afford that. I have enough clothes for now so that is ok. Going to have a garage sale this month. Mom and I bought a house together last nov..so we have a LOT of doubled up stuff. I have given a lot away.. but still have some left over. Might make a little bit anyway. We shall see.

I have recently made my own businss cards for petsitting, babysitting errand running, rides for seniors. So far I have gotten 2 new petsitting clients. Sitting for one new client today for dinner and breakfast for 3 cats (one home). Dog sitting for a regular today through monday. So thats an extra 40 this weekend. Every little bit helps. Eating grits on the weekends now. They are very cheap ofcourse.... my dr won't be happy.. but I have to have money for my perscriptions so something had to give. I have been using up gift cards that I have gotten so that is a help. I have about 19 dollars left on a visa gc that I will use for my Atkins bars at walmart. Thats what I eat for breakfast during the work week. Good for my diabetes so. I have 1 aldi brand low fat string cheese stick for my snack at work, aldi fat free low sugar yogurt with nuts for lunch (37 cents for the yogurt.. nuts vary depending on the variety). I have on cup of coffee with breakfast that I make at home, hot tea I make at home and bring... diet pesi mom buys for me and water the rest of the day. So my day to day breakfast and lunch is very inexpensive. Dinners vary...but very frugal as well.

Thats all for now.. gotta go take care of 3 cats! lol

bye folks,
Ruthe

lipstixgal · 09-04-2010, 12:43 PM

I don't know what you call frugal in this economy and living in Northern NJ which is close to NY buts its expensive to try to save. that's one of the reasons I'm moving to Florida because its cheaper then here. I try to save on groceries but they are way too expensive. I am on a diet so fruits and vegetables are costly, go to trader JOe's but still costs a lot..anyway will be done with school shortly so hopefully jobs will come my way and I can start earning a wage and be in a lifestyle that suits me well...

blugrass · 11-16-2009, 05:40 PM

The Dollar Store - great place for deals.

My local Safeway grocery store has a "clearance" section in the meat department. It's usually last sale date stuff but the deals can be amazing. Once I got $6/lb bacon for 99 cents. I bought all they had and froze it!

MizzSabra · 11-16-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

I prefer the term ~ Bargainista.

11-16-2009, 04:43 PM	#1
violaine Timed Out How Do You Identify?: atypical Preferred Pronoun?: plague words and phrases Relationship Status: love wise guys of the avian world Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: wekiva springs basin Posts: 3,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,934 Thanked 3,293 Times in 1,301 Posts Rep Power: 0	i will be frugal whenever purchasing a lot of items- because name brand on dry beans usually does not matter. the store does, however. marsh sells fava beans for 8$ a package! international market 2$. big difference. produce is very important to me, being a vegan. local tomatoes/farm stands during the summer. aldi is good, but i always check closely the packages underneath for the perishable berries, especially. frozen is not bad, but i never eat store canned. one item i absolutely cannot do the GV brand is coffee! kroger is ohk- but second choice.

11-16-2009, 04:57 PM	#2
Bit Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Stonefemme Relationship Status: married to Gryph Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 2,177 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,126 Thanked 3,770 Times in 1,264 Posts Rep Power: 10778870	I stock up... sometimes it causes temporary budget problems, but oh my, the worry-free months after that! I bought four big canisters of Folgers coffee when it went on sale for $6 several months ago. Tis the kind Gryph prefers and it's cheaper than generic. We still had three canisters left from the last time, giving me seven plus the open one. I have five more months of coffee to go before I will have to pay full price... and I'm always watching to see if they put it on sale like that again. They seem to do so twice a year. When they changed the size of the veggies at Kroger, I was really upset; they downsized their frozen veggies from 16 oz to 12 oz, but they left the price the same. I bought thirty pounds of the leftover pound bags. We're almost out now, so I'll have to pay the higher price, but in the meantime I discovered that Aldi's sells decent fresh produce at an affordable price--and I discovered I can get there, lol--so I'm not as dependent on the Kroger frozen veggies anymore. here's hoping that next summer I can grow my own and be even more independent!

11-16-2009, 05:02 PM	#3
SuperFemme Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/24/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: She. Relationship Status: Married (one of 18,000) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 4,933 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,309 Thanked 7,108 Times in 2,327 Posts Rep Power: 0

11-16-2009, 05:35 PM	#4
Medusa Mentally Delicious How Do You Identify?: Queer High Femme, thank you very much Preferred Pronoun?: Mme. Relationship Status: Married to JD. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,446 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5,995 Thanked 42,686 Times in 7,831 Posts Rep Power: 10000025	I wear my "cheap ass" badge proudly Since moving to Arkansas, our monthly financial output is significantly lower. Not just because we don't have a mortgage payment but we also chose to pay off our truck as well. The biggest difference since coming here is that we RARELY eat out anymore. In Los Angeles, it was nothing for us to eat out 2 - 3 times a week. Being in the sticks like we are here, we can't just run down to the nearest Outback Steakhouse and drop $60 on a meal. Nope. It's more like I buy groceries once a week and we eat at home every night....AND we eat much better. I have my favorite "cheap ass" discussion every night with Jack over dinner (I dont know how she tolerates me). It goes like this: Me: "Honey, you will never guess how cheap this dinner is!" Jack: "I'm sure you're gonna tell me!" Me: "Well, this piece of roast is HALF of the roast we ate last week that I froze, so that part is $2! The potatoes and carrots are another $2! The onion and gravy MIGHT come out to $1! And the rolls come out to .25 each! So that means that for $6, we are going to get TWO meals EACH. WEEEEEEEEEEE - BABE! THAT COMES OUT TO $1.50 PER MEAL!" And really, when you think about easily spending $6 for a sack of crap from McDonalds or Wendys -its fabulous!

11-17-2009, 10:31 AM	#8
violaine Timed Out How Do You Identify?: atypical Preferred Pronoun?: plague words and phrases Relationship Status: love wise guys of the avian world Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: wekiva springs basin Posts: 3,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,934 Thanked 3,293 Times in 1,301 Posts Rep Power: 0	reading about coupons, i saw a woman at the market the other day who was flipping through a binder in her buggy. 4x6 clear photo spaces were used for her coupons. pages could be added to the binder.. her book was full of coupons and pages !

09-04-2010, 11:41 AM	#10
ruthie14 Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: she Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 844 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,904 Thanked 1,245 Times in 461 Posts Rep Power: 5946335	Have to say I love this thread. I have been more or less frugal, depending on my circumstances, for most of my life. Currently trying to be VERY frugal as my full time job and part time job just aren't cutting it right now. I had some unexpected hospital and car bills... so that put me under. When my step kids lived at home we had no child support coming in from their mother and other funiacial issues so we were quite strapped. I made homemade maple syrup.. no not real but quite tasty actually. I made pancakes from scratch..extrememely easy. Can't eat them now because of celiac, but they were a great dinner for my family back in the day. The other day I bought a small bag of black beans and a box of walmart brand instant brown rice. Used half of each to make beans and rice... spices, onions, peppers etc. I have gotten 6 meals out of it. Added some chicken chorizo i had in the freezer (a little goes a long way) for a variety in 3 of the meals. I shop at Aldi regularly. Love Goodwill..but right now can't even afford that. I have enough clothes for now so that is ok. Going to have a garage sale this month. Mom and I bought a house together last nov..so we have a LOT of doubled up stuff. I have given a lot away.. but still have some left over. Might make a little bit anyway. We shall see. I have recently made my own businss cards for petsitting, babysitting errand running, rides for seniors. So far I have gotten 2 new petsitting clients. Sitting for one new client today for dinner and breakfast for 3 cats (one home). Dog sitting for a regular today through monday. So thats an extra 40 this weekend. Every little bit helps. Eating grits on the weekends now. They are very cheap ofcourse.... my dr won't be happy.. but I have to have money for my perscriptions so something had to give. I have been using up gift cards that I have gotten so that is a help. I have about 19 dollars left on a visa gc that I will use for my Atkins bars at walmart. Thats what I eat for breakfast during the work week. Good for my diabetes so. I have 1 aldi brand low fat string cheese stick for my snack at work, aldi fat free low sugar yogurt with nuts for lunch (37 cents for the yogurt.. nuts vary depending on the variety). I have on cup of coffee with breakfast that I make at home, hot tea I make at home and bring... diet pesi mom buys for me and water the rest of the day. So my day to day breakfast and lunch is very inexpensive. Dinners vary...but very frugal as well. Thats all for now.. gotta go take care of 3 cats! lol bye folks, Ruthe

09-04-2010, 12:43 PM	#11
lipstixgal Senior Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: coupled Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,028 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 201 Thanked 1,690 Times in 1,064 Posts Rep Power: 1494761	I don't know what you call frugal in this economy and living in Northern NJ which is close to NY buts its expensive to try to save. that's one of the reasons I'm moving to Florida because its cheaper then here. I try to save on groceries but they are way too expensive. I am on a diet so fruits and vegetables are costly, go to trader JOe's but still costs a lot..anyway will be done with school shortly so hopefully jobs will come my way and I can start earning a wage and be in a lifestyle that suits me well...

11-16-2009, 05:40 PM	#12
blugrass Junior Member How Do You Identify?: * Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: * Posts: 44 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5 Thanked 94 Times in 23 Posts Rep Power: 644684	The Dollar Store - great place for deals. My local Safeway grocery store has a "clearance" section in the meat department. It's usually last sale date stuff but the deals can be amazing. Once I got $6/lb bacon for 99 cents. I bought all they had and froze it!