Living more frugally

[Thirteen]

Half caf?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MsSassyBaskets]

I can really relate. Or thinking, "I haven't had anything nice in FOREVER, I'm going to pamper myself with JUST ONE THING." And then the floodgates open and it's just one MORE thing...and then when the spending adds up enough to make me cringe, I look back -- and in fact, the last time I "pampered myself" was just a month prior!

Yes, this is exactly what I do!! I'm now realizing I should probably consign some clothes, or sell a couple higher-cost items on eBay. My attempt at frugality might also inspire me to clean out my closet!

[MsSassyBaskets]

Half caf?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I only have one cup (sometimes a large one) a day when I do have caffeine, and from what I can tell, on those days she wakes extremely frequently. So I should probably just skip it. Both of us sleeping better is totally worth it.

[SoonerTexan]

I'm going to be completely honest, though. I'm really really good at getting good quality and nice stuff for a good price. But not necessarily at keeping a household budget low to begin with...

[HouseofWool]

The only thing that keeps me from spending too much is to use cash exclusively, a la Dave Ramsey.

I pull out X amount for the week and use it for everything except gas. I don't drive unless I need to, so, I can't really justify scrimping in that category.

But all consumables like groceries and toilet paper come from that cash.

It sucks. And it is exhausting. But, my bank account is happier for it.

[gcuthbe1]

Hubby and I were getting really bad with Amazon, so now we ask each other before every purchase, and then we leave it in the cart for a week. If we still have been thinking about it, we get it.
Target - don't get a cart, force yourself to carry everything in your hands.
Starbucks - I use this as a reward only for myself. About once a week.
Overall - consider purchases for a week. Put up a picture or a quote or something visible as a daily reminder of your savings goal (maybe your student loan debt statement compared to your savings/paychecks with snap you out of the happy spender spiral)

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Costco is the way to go for baby wipes. Definitely cheapest and nicest.

I don't love shopping so it's not a problem for me but I do like to spend money on the kids. Like ST, I've been doing a lot more buying at sales for the season that is a year away. It's easy while the kids are young and are easy to approximate size a year up. The consignment sales really get ratty at 3-4 for girls and I've heard younger for boys. If I can get a good sale price, I'd rather buy new and have it last longer. We also shop at outlets for everyone (going today in fact) so that's a lot of savings. Not all outlets sell the stuff from their store but some do and that's really great. I got one of my fav Banana Republic suits for 1/4 of the price at an outlet.

[gcuthbe1]

I got one of my fav Banana Republic suits for 1/4 of the price at an outlet.

Yessssss oh my gosh same! It fits so well too!
Ahhhh now I'm thinking about shopping! No Grace, no! Remember your savings goals! Lol

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[MrsK]

Boys' resale can be pretty bad. I buy for the boys (and Lambie in some instances) years in advance. If I see something great, I'll buy it and store it away for a couple years. I'll buy up to 2 years in advance for the kids. By the time they grow into that size, I have a pretty decent stash of clothes.

[MrsK]

My biggest problem buying ahead is that K2 grows so fast that he skips sizes. He once went through 3 pairs of shoes (stride rite extra wide so not cheap) in 3 months. So, I just buy a size or two bigger than K1 wears and figure out which boy it fits best when the time comes. K1 is often wearing "hand me ups".

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Yes and especially if you buy things on clearance like coats at the very end of the season. I got the girls coats for this winter for $20 each - brand new Lands End coats with the grow sleeves so I guarantee that they will last 2 seasons.

My only downfall is that I (and C too) prefer them to have some things like coats that match. So I bought them matching coats vs using C's coat for D. That'll have to stop if I stay home but for now, I can.

[MrsK]

We do matching for the boys too. Not exactly the same but same coat different colors. I usually can find the same or very similar coat. Also, they usually manage to go 2 years with a coat.

[spotty_dog]

I've started getting Land's End pants for the kids, because they honestly last for more than a year. But there is no end to the cute tops that flow to them from the consignment stores in my mom's area.

[MsSassyBaskets]

So I didn't spend too much in my usual categories, but I went a little crazy with some home improvement and organization projects and got track shelving for DD's closet and fabric bins for her toys. We're trying to fully babyproof her room now that she's more mobile so I needed some safer storage options sooner rather than later (flimsy bookcase has to go). So I didn't totally break all my rules but I overspent this weekend anyway. :P On the up side, the hospital where I delivered made a mistake and overcharged me back in March, so they're sending me a check for a couple hundred bucks. So break even? *cringe*

[gcuthbe1]

I thought of you all while I was at target holding myself back from getting a cart and looking away from the shoes/clothes sections!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk