Comments on: You’ve lost that (thrifty) feelin’…

By: Sense to Save » Blog Archive » Assumptions about debt-free living – response

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:29:33 +0000

[...] you’ve seen that I’ve had a harder time being frugal lately. Our next huge goal on the horizon is to buy a house. That’s such a huge amount of [...]

By: MoneyMagnetMummy

MoneyMagnetMummy — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:03:49 +0000

I totally understand the whole lax thing. We had a little bit extra money come in recently, when my husband worked extra over the holidays. There was a sale on at my favourite clothes shop so I went and spent some of it there. My original intention was to put it all into the homeloan, but the lure of 50% off on clothes was too strong.

At least I did ok on the clothing front, I got 11 items for $180. But back to our goals now…I still feel guilty when I look at my great buys, even though I didn’t pay full price, and I did need clothes. But still there must be a happy medium. I just have to reach it. I either go gung-ho into saving, or maybe a little to free with my spending.

I am back on the saving wagon again and looking forward to getting this homeloan out of the way.
.-= MoneyMagnetMummy´s last blog ..Imaginative Ways to Save Money =-.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:44:26 +0000

I know how that feeling is. I was frugal when I graduated and started my job, but now that I have some money saved up, the Law of Diminishing Returns is kicking in. Money doesn't feel like it is that important now until I feel like saving up for something big. It just feels like there is no consequence to spending money if you have over a certain amount. .-= Shawn´s last blog ..Helping your workers manage themselves =-.

By: Renee

Renee — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:19:48 +0000

I really need to get back on the frugal wagon for a couple months before our baby girl is born. I quit clipping coupons and playing the drugstore games when I had morning sickness. I even paid a couple late fees when I gave up opening the mail – yikes! Christmas is over, the stockpiles are gone, and it’s time to curl up with my computer, coupons, cocoa, and get back to work. We have the same “problem” you do since we paid off all our debt in 2007. We’ve paid for all our cars with cash, but I’m afraid we won’t be able to do the same thing again if we don’t set some solid goals and rein in some of those little luxuries.

By: Regina

Regina — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:19:25 +0000

I really enjoyed this post. I think a lot of us can relate to what you are saying. It does get tedious always being budget conscious, and I think our inner teenagers want to rebel from time to time. It sounds like you are still doing a great job! .-= Regina´s last blog ..December '09 =-.

By: Tara

Tara — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:25:26 +0000

This is exactly where I am too. I go through “savings seasons” as I call them where I just don’t feel like stockpiling and couponing and saving every spare penny. And honestly that’s okay. We have no debt other than our mortgage. I have enough stuff stockpiled to let up for a while and be okay. And that’s sort of why I stockpiled in the first place. We’ve also lowered a few monthly bills thanks to moving so I think I feel like we can spare a few.

I’m hoping this season will pass, but I feel like it would only add stress to try and get all the deals I can at this point. We have just moved to a different state and we’re trying to settle in.

I think you have done a great job and still have your goals in sight. Keep up the good work!

By: Christina @ Northern Cheapskate

Christina @ Northern Cheapskate — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:24:13 +0000

I TOTALLY relate to this post! I think frugality is something that ebbs and flows in my life. It seems like there are periods when I’m very good about watching our pennies and then there are other times, when I’m more relaxed about it.

If find that doing a little frugal reading (either books or online) helps get me back in the mindset.

I’ve also taken to challenging myself. For example, this month, my challenge is to try to eat out of our pantry and not eat out as much. We’re on day 11 and we haven’t eaten out once!

I think it’s healthy to stray a little bit from the frugal world… after all… if there were no short periods of relaxation, frugality would not be fun anymore!
.-= Christina @ Northern Cheapskate´s last blog ..Coupons 101: An Introduction to Couponing =-.

By: Mrs. Money

Mrs. Money — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:43:04 +0000

I know what you mean about the goals being daunting. That’s why I’m not paying extra on my mortgage. Keep your chin up; I think you are doing great!

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:08:24 +0000

I think it’s easy to tell what happened. His name is Johnny! It makes total sense that you’d be less motivated to bargain hunt now. You’re busy taking care of baby! I can’t imagine how exhausting that is.

Thrift is easy, but it can be time consuming. I think now that you’ve built your emergency fund and you’re debt-free, it’s okay to be a little more lax. I know you want to save for a house, but if you’re not feeling urgent about it, then that’s your way of telling yourself that it’s not really a priority yet.

I think once you’re absolutely ready to buy that house, you’ll get more motivated about saving for it. If it’s not a priority right now, though, why not relax a little and enjoy being a mom?
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Yes, I’d like some cheese with my whine. Preferably gouda. =-.

By: Marie

Marie — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:05:10 +0000

Right there with you. We paid cash for a used minivan 12 mnths ago. Have 3 mnths emergency fund and 1/2 of our next used car. I want furniture, I want to walk into a grocery store and buy what I want for food. I’m burnt out. This month I’m recommitting myself to our grocery budget after a 1 month hiatus. I can’t go over – if we’ve used it we’ve used it. Removes all the guilt from scaling back on couponing and bargain hunting (I didn’t like how much time shopping was taking away from my kids). I still do the low hanging fruit but the lower return high effort stuff I’m not working on. We’re saving a little less because I put my kid in preschool but what I think I’ve found is the right standard of living or balance for our family.