27 and Frugal

The Path To Frugality & Beyond

First, you buy stuff and spend money. You do not care how much oatmeal costs, you just buy the kind you want. There are no sacrifices. Choice dictates purchases.

Then, you start to care about the price but still only buy what you want. You start using coupons and look for discounts/sales on your favorite oatmeal. You sacrifice your time. You still buy your favorite kind and save some money in the process. Choice still dictates purchases.

Then, you learn that the generic oatmeal is even cheaper than the brand-name even after coupons. Price is beginning to dictate your purchases. You sacrifice some quality/preference to save money.

Then, you learn how to make your own oatmeal! This is much cheaper than even the generic stuff and you can make it just how you like it. Choice & price dictates the purchase of ingredients. You sacrifice some convenience, as you now have to plan ahead to have time to make it. This is frugality.

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Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

I’m just going to warn you now, this was the most non-frugal weekend ever! Fortunately, all of the extra spending was budgeted. Friday night started out cheap. We stayed in, ordered Thai food ($7) and watched Shutter Island.

Friday Total Cost:$7

Saturday

I knew that Saturday would be an expensive day. I spent the morning getting highlights ($115) then stocked up on a prescription ($80). I came home in time to watch the World Cup game then headed out again to eat yummy Mexican for dinner ($6). After dinner, I played poker at a friend’s house and lost a buck.

Saturday Total Cost:$201
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Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

A group of friends and I went out to dinner to treat a friend for his birthday. The six of us split the bill for $17/each; that way everyone was paying a bit of the birthday boy’s meal as well. It was far more than I normally spend on eating out, but was a special occasion.

After dinner, we went back to my house and just hung out for the rest of the night. I did not go out and buy any special food; I was already prepared to make cookies!

Friday Total Cost:$17
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Free samples are a great example of how frugality is more about being resourceful than it is about being cheap.

Cheap people will use free samples solely because they are free. They have no intention of ever buying the product and simply think of the item as a free meal, free lipstick, free soap, etc.

Frugal consumers, on the other hand, will focus more on the fact that it is a sample. Samples allow you to try a product with no investment. If you like the sample, then spending money on it will be a smart purchase. If you do not, then no harm done. You did not waste your money. Continue reading »

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Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

I started the night with some yummy home-made mac n cheese. Then some friends called so I met them at Chipotle (but didn’t eat anything) and ended up going out to a bar after. One beer was bought for me and I did not drink anything else. It was a nice low key night with friends.

Friday Total Cost:$0
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Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

I had Friday off and I splurged! I treated myself to $40 worth of cake supplies at Candyland Crafts with the thought to attempt making a cake for an Easter dinner on Sunday. After my shopping spree, I went for an evening run (which was wonderful) then spent the rest of the night playing Heavy Rain on the PS3 that my friend is letting me borrow over the weekend. I had a get together planned for Saturday so I did not mind having Friday just being a loungy evening.

Friday Total Cost:$42 (excluding the groceries) Continue reading »

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As I have said time and time again, being frugal means being resourceful. There are many resources we can tap into to save some money while still living fulfilling lives. Families and friends are an excellent resource to use (but not take advantage of). Before you head out and run to the store as soon as you think you may need something, why not see if a friend has the item first. Know a family member who has an item that he no longer uses but keeps around, why not see if you could borrow for it for a short time? It will help them clear up some space and give you a new toy. Need to free yourself from distractions, try lending out your toys to friends so you can get your work done.

There are many different reasons to borrow from or lend an item to a friend, family member or neighbor. Keep these in mind before making a purchase! Continue reading »

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Coupons are one of the most ingenious marketing techniques ever created. They use the same principle new businesses will use to attract customers; Give customers a deal so they are willing to take a risk.

Marketing companies know how loyal we are to our favorite foods, brands and toilet cleaning products. They know that we will not switch just for anyone. However, with the lure of savings, we will try anything!

Coupons Do Not Endorse a Healthy Lifestyle

When I used to clip out coupons, I tried all kinds of new processed foods and cleaning products. Unfortunately for the marketing companies, I no longer purchase processed foods and commercial cleaning products. Most of the items I buy at the grocery store are rarely featured in coupons. When was the last time you saw a coupon for celery? Companies do not care about your health or savings. They know that your $0.50 savings is nothing compared to the mark-up they just profited on your purchase. Continue reading »

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Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

Friday was another crazy day on the job front so I let loose on my budget a little and celebrated throughout the weekend. Friday evening, however, I just wanted to relax. I played some more Kingdom Hearts, watched the Olympic opening ceremony and had a relaxing night at home.

Friday Total Cost:$0 Continue reading »

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Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

Friday was great day. I scored two job interviews and was given a KitchenAid mixer as a gift from my boyfriend! To celebrate, we went out to a local bar with some friends in the evening. One drink was bought for me but really the evening was just spent socializing. After the bar, we walked across the street to a pizza place where some people ordered food but I declined the cheap grease and made myself a snack at home.

Friday Total Cost:$0 Continue reading »

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Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

On Wednesday, I went out for drinks with friends and spent $9. I considered that my “weekend money” so I really wanted to lay low over the weekend. Friday night, I did just that. I watched a movie, made myself dinner and just relaxed at home.

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Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

I knew all week that a cover band I liked was playing nearby on Friday and decided that it was worth $10 to me. So I got some friends together and had a good time there. I didn’t buy any drinks and just enjoyed the band instead. Prior to going out, I made my own marinara sauce served with some gnocchi. Those lil’ gnocchi are so filling!

Friday Total Cost:$10 Continue reading »

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Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Since this was a long weekend, I’ll start by detailing Wednesday night (the 23rd) through Sunday (the 27th).

Wednesday

I went out to a local bar with some friends and spent $3 on an infamous chocolate cake shot (no chocolate involved, I swear!). I spent the rest of the evening chatting with my friends and had a great time. I only brought five dollars with me so I wouldn’t be tempted to spend more. The plan worked. I passed on a second drink and still had an enjoyable evening.

Wednesday Total Cost: $3.00 Continue reading »

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Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

The entire weekend was plagued with a threat of a giant blizzard. So starting Friday, I didn’t do much other than relaxing inside and working on some personal projects. I made dinner out of some pasta I found buried in the back of the cupboard and my home-made marinara that I had already thawed. It was quick and filling.

Friday Total Cost:$0 Continue reading »

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Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.

Friday

I volunteered to grade finals for my friend who teaches at a local university, so I spent my evening doing that and just hanging out at home.

Friday Total Cost: $0 Continue reading »

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