Just curious who else is living super frugal

[LindaB220]

LOL... I have a truckers tan all year.... Left side of my face Brown.... right side Pasty.... Arms too.

Our spring started in January this year.... full on blast of 95 degrees. Hottest on record for San Diego. You know how kids make snow angels.... I went up to visit my horse and there was a horse shaped snow angel in the sand made of jet black hair....

It had been in the hundreds.

But thank goodness we are getting cooler temps now in August along with light rain. I am told were headed for an El Nino I will belive it when I see it. its going to take alot of rain to off set three years of miserable drought.

deb

Why should things be any different now? It's been such a miserable year for the weather. I will admit that our La. weather has been very wet this summer. Not a all usual. Don't want to jinx myself. My supplies are coming in for my container gardening. I have until the middle of November before frost. Just hoping.

 

[PalmRoyal]

I'm not sure if this thread is still a "frugal living" thread or not, but I guess here is my two cents (no pun intended).

I guess I will start out with my clothes. I buy exclusively Goodwill (not very often because they are getting a bit ridiculous in prices) and Thriftstore. I also received a lot of hand-me-downs. While shopping at my usual stores (Wal-Mart, Big Lots, K-Mart, etc.), I will look through their discount items. Never will I pay more than $5 for a single piece of clothing. I think the most expensive clothing I have recently bought was a very nice pair of leather shoes, from Wal-Mart, for my boyfriend. I believe I paid just under $4 with tax. We will stock up when there are sales like this. Shoes are on sale? Buy as many as you think will fit and are your style! Shirts on sale for a dollar? Get as many that are in your size as you can and I don't care if they are your style or not! So, that is my basic buying guide for clothing. When you also get a new shirt, that means that your worst shirt can now be used as a barn shirt, or if it too terribly beat up, used for the animals.

Now, on to how I fund my animals. I get rebagged dog food. The last 100lbs of dog food I bought was a mixture of Iams, Beneful, Kibbles and Bits and Science Diet and I paid $14 with tax. I mi my own rabbit and poultry feed and it is currently costing me $0.31 per pound. I am currently working on getting it down a bit more so I am not spending $100 per three months on feed (which I think is a lot, but whatever). I will also not spend a lot on my animals. For my rabbits, when going to look at potential stock to use for my exhibition herd, I will tell the owners that I will spend $1 per pound, live weight. Either they take my deal or 9 out of 10 times, I will get a call a month later asking me if I am still interested. Sorry, but that is the way it is. I would love to be able to pay more for animals, but it just isn't happening right now. I also am always wanting to make a deal on my poultry. The last poultry I got was full grown chickens and Muscovies and I paid $2 each head because the extremely nice, helpful gentleman had to get rid of them. So, always looking for good deals is always a good idea as well.

I only buy my food from food salvage stores and often they have free medications (like the very common thing like for motion sickness, aspirin, tylenol, tums, etc.) there (often it will expire soon, but is not quite expired yet, and yes, I have asked my doctor about this) and I will stock up on those as well. We have well water, so no water bill there (which also funds my love for my fish, which require a lot of water). I get so frustrated that the rest of my family spends money on stupid things (such as meat and eggs), that I am willing to have my animals butchered to teach them that there are cheaper routes (and that is coming from a vegetarian of 5 or 6 years) and they still refuse to eat my animals.

I am also saving up to, one day, buy a house. So, for now I am slowly buying t one piece at a time. I have a dinnerware set for 12, mugs, rugs, fake plants, picture frames, pans, cooking utensils, you name it I got it and it was all bought preowned and for very cheap. I am also making sure to buy very good brands and brands with lifetime warranties such as Calphalon (which I think I paid $1-$2 per pan). My most recent find was a Rival Crockpot big enough for about 3-4 cans of soup that I figured would be wonderful for me and my boyfriend or a roommate (then chip dips when I was to have company over). Even though I do not have a house, when I do, I guarantee it will be wonderful.

I guess here are some odd quirks about me now as well on funny ways I save money. I still have cassette tapes and I love vinyl. When it costs me $0.10-$0.25 to buy a vinyl or cassette versus a single song on the computer for $1 or a CD for $10+, I do not see myself switching anytime soon. Hence why I do not own a CD player or MP3/iPod player. #livinginthe50's60'sand7'sforever or whatever is hip these days. I start buying next year's Christmas presents as soon as Christmas ends (hint-hint, everyone is getting Dream Foam slippers this year, because they were 95% off in February at Big Lots, meanings that they were $0.75-$2.50 each). I always have a nice stockpile of used (but I always make sure that they are in mint condition) books as gifts. Having a baby? Oh! Here is a copy of "Llama Llama Red Pajama" and "Love You Forever" I got brand new from Goodwill last week! I also have no quarrelsome about buying "used" toys from Goodwill or the thrift store as long they look very new and still have the tags. My boyfriend and I also will frugal shop for each other and then will joke about how much we paid for things. Oh hey! I got you a new Stephen King book for (checks price tag on back of the book) $14.99 today! (only paid $0.75 and no one needs to know, best girlfriend ever? I think so!)

We try to live very frugal in every way we can. I guess these are just the basics. I do a lot more than just this to live on a very tight budget (and even after that, I still have no money). Being only 18 years old, I have been frugally living since I was 15 and trying to force my frugal lifestyle onto my parents and their unneeded spending habits. So, I still have a lot to learn, but I figure that I should probably get used to this lifestyle now. I do not plan to get rich any time soon.

 

[LindaB220]

I'm not sure if this thread is still a "frugal living" thread or not, but I guess here is my two cents (no pun intended).

I guess I will start out with my clothes. I buy exclusively Goodwill (not very often because they are getting a bit ridiculous in prices) and Thriftstore. I also received a lot of hand-me-downs. While shopping at my usual stores (Wal-Mart, Big Lots, K-Mart, etc.), I will look through their discount items. Never will I pay more than $5 for a single piece of clothing. I think the most expensive clothing I have recently bought was a very nice pair of leather shoes, from Wal-Mart, for my boyfriend. I believe I paid just under $4 with tax. We will stock up when there are sales like this. Shoes are on sale? Buy as many as you think will fit and are your style! Shirts on sale for a dollar? Get as many that are in your size as you can and I don't care if they are your style or not! So, that is my basic buying guide for clothing. When you also get a new shirt, that means that your worst shirt can now be used as a barn shirt, or if it too terribly beat up, used for the animals.

Now, on to how I fund my animals. I get rebagged dog food. The last 100lbs of dog food I bought was a mixture of Iams, Beneful, Kibbles and Bits and Science Diet and I paid $14 with tax. I mi my own rabbit and poultry feed and it is currently costing me $0.31 per pound. I am currently working on getting it down a bit more so I am not spending $100 per three months on feed (which I think is a lot, but whatever). I will also not spend a lot on my animals. For my rabbits, when going to look at potential stock to use for my exhibition herd, I will tell the owners that I will spend $1 per pound, live weight. Either they take my deal or 9 out of 10 times, I will get a call a month later asking me if I am still interested. Sorry, but that is the way it is. I would love to be able to pay more for animals, but it just isn't happening right now. I also am always wanting to make a deal on my poultry. The last poultry I got was full grown chickens and Muscovies and I paid $2 each head because the extremely nice, helpful gentleman had to get rid of them. So, always looking for good deals is always a good idea as well.

I only buy my food from food salvage stores and often they have free medications (like the very common thing like for motion sickness, aspirin, tylenol, tums, etc.) there (often it will expire soon, but is not quite expired yet, and yes, I have asked my doctor about this) and I will stock up on those as well. We have well water, so no water bill there (which also funds my love for my fish, which require a lot of water). I get so frustrated that the rest of my family spends money on stupid things (such as meat and eggs), that I am willing to have my animals butchered to teach them that there are cheaper routes (and that is coming from a vegetarian of 5 or 6 years) and they still refuse to eat my animals.

I am also saving up to, one day, buy a house. So, for now I am slowly buying t one piece at a time. I have a dinnerware set for 12, mugs, rugs, fake plants, picture frames, pans, cooking utensils, you name it I got it and it was all bought preowned and for very cheap. I am also making sure to buy very good brands and brands with lifetime warranties such as Calphalon (which I think I paid $1-$2 per pan). My most recent find was a Rival Crockpot big enough for about 3-4 cans of soup that I figured would be wonderful for me and my boyfriend or a roommate (then chip dips when I was to have company over). Even though I do not have a house, when I do, I guarantee it will be wonderful.

I guess here are some odd quirks about me now as well on funny ways I save money. I still have cassette tapes and I love vinyl. When it costs me $0.10-$0.25 to buy a vinyl or cassette versus a single song on the computer for $1 or a CD for $10+, I do not see myself switching anytime soon. Hence why I do not own a CD player or MP3/iPod player. #livinginthe50's60'sand7'sforever or whatever is hip these days. I start buying next year's Christmas presents as soon as Christmas ends (hint-hint, everyone is getting Dream Foam slippers this year, because they were 95% off in February at Big Lots, meanings that they were $0.75-$2.50 each). I always have a nice stockpile of used (but I always make sure that they are in mint condition) books as gifts. Having a baby? Oh! Here is a copy of "Llama Llama Red Pajama" and "Love You Forever" I got brand new from Goodwill last week! I also have no quarrelsome about buying "used" toys from Goodwill or the thrift store as long they look very new and still have the tags. My boyfriend and I also will frugal shop for each other and then will joke about how much we paid for things. Oh hey! I got you a new Stephen King book for (checks price tag on back of the book) $14.99 today! (only paid $0.75 and no one needs to know, best girlfriend ever? I think so!)

We try to live very frugal in every way we can. I guess these are just the basics. I do a lot more than just this to live on a very tight budget (and even after that, I still have no money). Being only 18 years old, I have been frugally living since I was 15 and trying to force my frugal lifestyle onto my parents and their unneeded spending habits. So, I still have a lot to learn, but I figure that I should probably get used to this lifestyle now. I do not plan to get rich any time soon.

Hey PalmRoyal, I'm in the same boat. However, I'm old and live with my DD and her family. I save and conserve and they order in pizza. Different but the same.

 

[perchie.girl]

I'm not sure if this thread is still a "frugal living" thread or not, but I guess here is my two cents (no pun intended).

I guess I will start out with my clothes. I buy exclusively Goodwill (not very often because they are getting a bit ridiculous in prices) and Thriftstore. I also received a lot of hand-me-downs. While shopping at my usual stores (Wal-Mart, Big Lots, K-Mart, etc.), I will look through their discount items. Never will I pay more than $5 for a single piece of clothing. I think the most expensive clothing I have recently bought was a very nice pair of leather shoes, from Wal-Mart, for my boyfriend. I believe I paid just under $4 with tax. We will stock up when there are sales like this. Shoes are on sale? Buy as many as you think will fit and are your style! Shirts on sale for a dollar? Get as many that are in your size as you can and I don't care if they are your style or not! So, that is my basic buying guide for clothing. When you also get a new shirt, that means that your worst shirt can now be used as a barn shirt, or if it too terribly beat up, used for the animals.

Now, on to how I fund my animals. I get rebagged dog food. The last 100lbs of dog food I bought was a mixture of Iams, Beneful, Kibbles and Bits and Science Diet and I paid $14 with tax. I mi my own rabbit and poultry feed and it is currently costing me $0.31 per pound. I am currently working on getting it down a bit more so I am not spending $100 per three months on feed (which I think is a lot, but whatever). I will also not spend a lot on my animals. For my rabbits, when going to look at potential stock to use for my exhibition herd, I will tell the owners that I will spend $1 per pound, live weight. Either they take my deal or 9 out of 10 times, I will get a call a month later asking me if I am still interested. Sorry, but that is the way it is. I would love to be able to pay more for animals, but it just isn't happening right now. I also am always wanting to make a deal on my poultry. The last poultry I got was full grown chickens and Muscovies and I paid $2 each head because the extremely nice, helpful gentleman had to get rid of them. So, always looking for good deals is always a good idea as well.

I only buy my food from food salvage stores and often they have free medications (like the very common thing like for motion sickness, aspirin, tylenol, tums, etc.) there (often it will expire soon, but is not quite expired yet, and yes, I have asked my doctor about this) and I will stock up on those as well. We have well water, so no water bill there (which also funds my love for my fish, which require a lot of water). I get so frustrated that the rest of my family spends money on stupid things (such as meat and eggs), that I am willing to have my animals butchered to teach them that there are cheaper routes (and that is coming from a vegetarian of 5 or 6 years) and they still refuse to eat my animals.

I am also saving up to, one day, buy a house. So, for now I am slowly buying t one piece at a time. I have a dinnerware set for 12, mugs, rugs, fake plants, picture frames, pans, cooking utensils, you name it I got it and it was all bought preowned and for very cheap. I am also making sure to buy very good brands and brands with lifetime warranties such as Calphalon (which I think I paid $1-$2 per pan). My most recent find was a Rival Crockpot big enough for about 3-4 cans of soup that I figured would be wonderful for me and my boyfriend or a roommate (then chip dips when I was to have company over). Even though I do not have a house, when I do, I guarantee it will be wonderful.

I guess here are some odd quirks about me now as well on funny ways I save money. I still have cassette tapes and I love vinyl. When it costs me $0.10-$0.25 to buy a vinyl or cassette versus a single song on the computer for $1 or a CD for $10+, I do not see myself switching anytime soon. Hence why I do not own a CD player or MP3/iPod player. #livinginthe50's60'sand7'sforever or whatever is hip these days. I start buying next year's Christmas presents as soon as Christmas ends (hint-hint, everyone is getting Dream Foam slippers this year, because they were 95% off in February at Big Lots, meanings that they were $0.75-$2.50 each). I always have a nice stockpile of used (but I always make sure that they are in mint condition) books as gifts. Having a baby? Oh! Here is a copy of "Llama Llama Red Pajama" and "Love You Forever" I got brand new from Goodwill last week! I also have no quarrelsome about buying "used" toys from Goodwill or the thrift store as long they look very new and still have the tags. My boyfriend and I also will frugal shop for each other and then will joke about how much we paid for things. Oh hey! I got you a new Stephen King book for (checks price tag on back of the book) $14.99 today! (only paid $0.75 and no one needs to know, best girlfriend ever? I think so!)

We try to live very frugal in every way we can. I guess these are just the basics. I do a lot more than just this to live on a very tight budget (and even after that, I still have no money). Being only 18 years old, I have been frugally living since I was 15 and trying to force my frugal lifestyle onto my parents and their unneeded spending habits. So, I still have a lot to learn, but I figure that I should probably get used to this lifestyle now. I do not plan to get rich any time soon.

Well... I am 59...

We each approach frugality in different ways... Sorry to say not a single item in any thrift store will fit me. Not even shoes. Though I will buy sheets there and turn them into curtains. Or table cloth.

I also believe in buying something that is going to last and paying a little bit more because I wont have to replace it when it breaks down. For instance I buy brand new Roper Riding shoes on sale they are about 70 dollars.... I just retired a pair that I have worn for almost six years. They are not worn out Just realllllly ikky looking and smelling so I will save them for rainy days or working in the chicken coop. I have to wear Riding shoes for two reasons. they fit and support my weight comfortably, and I have a horse that weighs 2000 lbs and they are robust to take that punishment long enough to get her to step off of my foot....

Last time I bought shoes I bought three pair.... At this rate I will have shoes for eighteen years total.

I dont buy music at all. of any kind. I listen to the radio on occasion and I love all of it. From Old time Country and western to Heavy metal. Classical and Bluegrass Zidego and Celtic... Drum music from all native peoples too. Ooh Didgeridoo music too I had a roommate who played one.... Talk about goosebumps.

I make my own leather parts for repairing harness. I once turned a plowing harness into a cart harness buy making the missing parts out of an old western back cinch a couple of reins and some lazy straps out of an old belt. I never throw out leather.... It has soo many uses beyond horse equipment.

Again I feel feed is very important for your animals weather its livestock or pets... Good calorie conversion=less waste.... means decent food. Believe it or not I fed straight Iams Or Nutra Max to my dog.... Free choice. Meaning I filled up the bowl with about three pounds of feed and didnt fill it back up till it was gone. She would not eat till I sat down... I never taught her this. She was in excellent condition and I never saw her eat more than a quarter cup in one sitting. It would take her a week to consume her whole bowl. She never had an itchy day nor any digestive issues.... she lived till she was seventeen. By the way not all dogs adapt to a free feeding program... certain ones like Labs... are going to gorge themselves.



I am a tinkerer and a Mechnical designer.... and shh dont tell anyone an occasional artist. I rarely buy my building materials... I used to be a pretty good dumpster diver till my knees went bad. I built my own cat trees out of found wood and dumpster dived carpet... That would be new carpet leftovers from a home install.

Being frugal is also something you can do... By being friendly to people and open to talk about your needs often times stuff just appears out of the blue.... for instance I had made friends with a fellow who was running a local thrift shop. Mom was in buying books and i was chatting with him about "stuff" I mentioned that I needed to replace the booster pump on my water tank... Yep well water. It had stopped completly. Come to find out this fellow David was his name was a certified journeyman plumber and understood my problem just from me talking about it. He was retired from it due to back issues. All of the sudden he asked if he could do the work if I bought the materials. Deal.

I bought the right sized booster pump from grainger. When it comes to water for your house or livestock... best to go new with something like that. I had to wire the pump up according to my Electical supply I have 110 not 220 at the water tank. Believe me I was scared to do that... If I did it wrong I would destroy 600 dollars worth of pump. Whew. I got it right the first time. We used pex to hook it all up he used his muscle to detach the Galvanized pipe and re fit it to the pump. After all that work.... I could do it myself again in a heart beat.

I do it myself for the simple stuff like wiring in an electrical outlet replacement... Changing out a leaking pipe... which reminds me I need to replace a pipe on the big tank...

So my basic philosopy... Dont buy it if you can build it or sew it.... If its something that will take you a long learning curve to do get help or hire a professional. Your time is worth money as well there is a trade off between that and hiring a pro. Quality isnt necessarily expensive but not cheap.


deb "who wrote a book again"

 

[LindaB220]

Well... I am 59...

We each approach frugality in different ways... Sorry to say not a single item in any thrift store will fit me. Not even shoes. Though I will buy sheets there and turn them into curtains. Or table cloth.

I also believe in buying something that is going to last and paying a little bit more because I wont have to replace it when it breaks down. For instance I buy brand new Roper Riding shoes on sale they are about 70 dollars.... I just retired a pair that I have worn for almost six years. They are not worn out Just realllllly ikky looking and smelling so I will save them for rainy days or working in the chicken coop. I have to wear Riding shoes for two reasons. they fit and support my weight comfortably, and I have a horse that weighs 2000 lbs and they are robust to take that punishment long enough to get her to step off of my foot....

Last time I bought shoes I bought three pair.... At this rate I will have shoes for eighteen years total.

I dont buy music at all. of any kind. I listen to the radio on occasion and I love all of it. From Old time Country and western to Heavy metal. Classical and Bluegrass Zidego and Celtic... Drum music from all native peoples too. Ooh Didgeridoo music too I had a roommate who played one.... Talk about goosebumps.

I make my own leather parts for repairing harness. I once turned a plowing harness into a cart harness buy making the missing parts out of an old western back cinch a couple of reins and some lazy straps out of an old belt. I never throw out leather.... It has soo many uses beyond horse equipment.

Again I feel feed is very important for your animals weather its livestock or pets... Good calorie conversion=less waste.... means decent food. Believe it or not I fed straight Iams Or Nutra Max to my dog.... Free choice. Meaning I filled up the bowl with about three pounds of feed and didnt fill it back up till it was gone. She would not eat till I sat down... I never taught her this. She was in excellent condition and I never saw her eat more than a quarter cup in one sitting. It would take her a week to consume her whole bowl. She never had an itchy day nor any digestive issues.... she lived till she was seventeen. By the way not all dogs adapt to a free feeding program... certain ones like Labs... are going to gorge themselves.



I am a tinkerer and a Mechnical designer.... and shh dont tell anyone an occasional artist. I rarely buy my building materials... I used to be a pretty good dumpster diver till my knees went bad. I built my own cat trees out of found wood and dumpster dived carpet... That would be new carpet leftovers from a home install.

Being frugal is also something you can do... By being friendly to people and open to talk about your needs often times stuff just appears out of the blue.... for instance I had made friends with a fellow who was running a local thrift shop. Mom was in buying books and i was chatting with him about "stuff" I mentioned that I needed to replace the booster pump on my water tank... Yep well water. It had stopped completly. Come to find out this fellow David was his name was a certified journeyman plumber and understood my problem just from me talking about it. He was retired from it due to back issues. All of the sudden he asked if he could do the work if I bought the materials. Deal.

I bought the right sized booster pump from grainger. When it comes to water for your house or livestock... best to go new with something like that. I had to wire the pump up according to my Electical supply I have 110 not 220 at the water tank. Believe me I was scared to do that... If I did it wrong I would destroy 600 dollars worth of pump. Whew. I got it right the first time. We used pex to hook it all up he used his muscle to detach the Galvanized pipe and re fit it to the pump. After all that work.... I could do it myself again in a heart beat.

I do it myself for the simple stuff like wiring in an electrical outlet replacement... Changing out a leaking pipe... which reminds me I need to replace a pipe on the big tank...

So my basic philosopy... Dont buy it if you can build it or sew it.... If its something that will take you a long learning curve to do get help or hire a professional. Your time is worth money as well there is a trade off between that and hiring a pro. Quality isnt necessarily expensive but not cheap.


deb "who wrote a book again"

Deb, you wrote your book? Yea!!!! So happy for you. This is the one that was in your car when it was stolen?

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
I was only referring to my post.... LOL. Though I am on the fast track for replacing the latest chapters I wrote. I now have everything transcribed. Also I am not worrying about the last bit i lost now. As I tighten down the characters and back stories and time line. Right now the rough draft is running about 300 pages in Word. Those pages are probably going to create a three book set.

deb

 

[lazy gardener]

Palm Royal: It's awesome to hear younger folks embracing the frugal life style. I'm guessing that's very atypical of your generation. You'll be buying that house before you know it. And I'm sure you know how to maximize your dollar when that time comes as well. Look for fore-closures and fixer-uppers. The most important thing is location, and quality of the land. By buying the one house that needs a lot of work, or even just some TLC in a great neighborhood, you'll maximize your property value as well as cause all of your neighbors to welcome you with open arms when you bring that house up to the neighborhood standard. An other great option, if you have the personality for it is to buy a house with renter potential. Your tenants end up paying your mortgage, you basically get to live in a house of your own without a monthly mortgage payment. Of course the down side is... tenants. Some can be great, some can be a horror show.

 

[PalmRoyal]

An other great option, if you have the personality for it is to buy a house with renter potential. Your tenants end up paying your mortgage, you basically get to live in a house of your own without a monthly mortgage payment. Of course the down side is... tenants. Some can be great, some can be a horror show.

That is a very good idea! My friend does this as well, but he says he gets more bad renters than good. I may look into this though because it is an excellent idea.

 

[lazy gardener]

You might be able to weed out a lot of trash tenants by going strictly by word of mouth.

 

[PalmRoyal]

You might be able to weed out a lot of trash tenants by going strictly by word of mouth.

Thank-you! I will definably be adding this idea as something to possibly want to do for my house when I get one. I've been "window shopping" for houses to see what certain budgets get me and where. This is a very good idea and I am very interested in it.