Just curious who else is living super frugal

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
Amen sister!! (or brother). And don't forget cable television! My grandpa is 100 (has a better mind and memory than I do), so of course lived through the great depression and has seen the highs and lows of our economy over the last century. He says people these days don't know what true poverty is - todays "poverty" seems quite luxerious in comparison.
Heck, I know folks "in poverty" who drive nicer cars than we do, have cable television (something we've chosen not to have in our budget), and wear the most up-to-date clothing and shoes - much nicer clothes than I own. Something's not right with that...

 

[ECBW]

I can definitely resonate with this thread. Having spent my formative years in developing countries. It was astonishing to see the over-indulgence of our citizens in general. We do not need a lot of the things the commercial world is trying sell us. I have been trying to change the mindset of my US raised wife and kids. After paying off the mortgage, feeling the lifting of the burden, she finally got on board, slowly.

We may still get that 2-seat roadster.

After all, you only live once.

 

[PineappleMama]

New furniture? DH's folks gave him a recliner was that two years ago? for his b-day And us all a dining room set for Christmas... both purchased from the discount place but still NEW, which was huge.

The bunkbeds in DD's room were new when we bought them... that was back in 2002 shortly before she was born.

And that is the extent of new furniture in our house. Everything else is handmedown, yard sale, side of the road, thrift store, etc and does just fine for us.

Clothes... about the only time I buy is Christmas and B-days... DH's mom is a clothes horse and can't stop herself from buying everything in sight so that's just not much of an issue... been trying for years to convert her to thrift storing but so far no dice.

I use the Kroger & Tom Thumb Cards to get better prices, watch the sale ads and love the coupons Kroger sends because they aren't only Name Brand (which even after the coupon are still more than the store brand) but instead are what I've actually bought there... even store brands! AND they'll give me ones for flat out free items... latest was a free bag of Lays and a free bag of frozen veggies. So pretty cool. They also have markdowns at Kroger that I jump on. Over in produce, in meats, in dairy... plus a general clearance area too. I find really great deals in those at least once a week.

But that's the way I was raised... Mom's uber thrifty and passed it on so it wasn't like I had to teach myself. Definitely one thing I'm grateful to her for. Donno how we'd have survived supporting a family of four on less than 30k a year if I hadn't had that knowledge base.

 

[GiddyMoon]

Quote:
Amen sister!! (or brother). And don't forget cable television! My grandpa is 100 (has a better mind and memory than I do), so of course lived through the great depression and has seen the highs and lows of our economy over the last century. He says people these days don't know what true poverty is - todays "poverty" seems quite luxerious in comparison.
Heck, I know folks "in poverty" who drive nicer cars than we do, have cable television (something we've chosen not to have in our budget), and wear the most up-to-date clothing and shoes - much nicer clothes than I own. Something's not right with that...

I will never forget about 5 years ago my 83 yo grandmother was watching tv around christmas time and said.." I will never forget our best christmas ever. Each one of us kids got our own orange and a walnut. That was a great christmas. "

What do we think would happen if every kid at christmas got an orange and one walnut? They would throw stinkin fits..that"s what.

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
Been doing it for many years. If you visit Sufficientself.com, a sister site, you will find many kindred spirits who are living very frugally and have it down to a science...and LOVE doing it. It all comes down to changing your attitude about "things" and their place in your life. Some folks declare they "could never live without _______" but there are many who are living without whatever gadget or thingy and live quite happily.

I can't even wrap my mind around anyone "never shopping used"....I'm sure those folks are out there and outnumber us frugalists greatly but it is beyond my imagination as to how anyone could live that way or even afford to live that way. I'm surprised when I buy something new!

Before you know it you will discover the joys of dumpster divin'!!!

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
Amen sister!! (or brother). And don't forget cable television! My grandpa is 100 (has a better mind and memory than I do), so of course lived through the great depression and has seen the highs and lows of our economy over the last century. He says people these days don't know what true poverty is - todays "poverty" seems quite luxerious in comparison.
Heck, I know folks "in poverty" who drive nicer cars than we do, have cable television (something we've chosen not to have in our budget), and wear the most up-to-date clothing and shoes - much nicer clothes than I own. Something's not right with that...

I will never forget about 5 years ago my 83 yo grandmother was watching tv around christmas time and said.." I will never forget our best christmas ever. Each one of us kids got our own orange and a walnut. That was a great christmas. "

What do we think would happen if every kid at christmas got an orange and one walnut? They would throw stinkin fits..that"s what.

Gosh yeah!! I remember Grandma (who's been gone almost 20 yrs. now) telling us about getting an orange and nuts. But they'd get some hard candy too. Times sure have changed... Wonder why oranges were (evidently) so scarce back then to be considered a luxury???

 

[Alabama ee]

Quote:
I will never forget about 5 years ago my 83 yo grandmother was watching tv around christmas time and said.." I will never forget our best christmas ever. Each one of us kids got our own orange and a walnut. That was a great christmas. "

What do we think would happen if every kid at christmas got an orange and one walnut? They would throw stinkin fits..that"s what.

Gosh yeah!! I remember Grandma (who's been gone almost 20 yrs. now) telling us about getting an orange and nuts. But they'd get some hard candy too. Times sure have changed... Wonder why oranges were (evidently) so scarce back then to be considered a luxury???

Not as much scarce, just more costly than a family could afford. People ate a lot of beans(cheap) and "greens" from their garden. Meat was only eaten once a week.
Come to think of it..less folks were fat. Maybe eating that way again is not a bad idea.

 

[Beekissed]

Because food didn't travel like it does now. If one lived where oranges were not a local produce, they were considered a treat and a luxury to obtain...fresh citrus fruit in the winter? You bet it was scarce!

 

[GiddyMoon]

They also usually went barefoot and when they had extra newspaper they weren't using in the outhouse, they would layer it in their shoes...the coonhounds also ate better than the kids because that was how her dad made money and caught meat. We are sooo spoiled beyond realization.

 

[heathersboers]

Our life is very frugal....we raise 2 bulls a year to slaughter. ..and our chickens.and eggs. We have a garden. I haven't been clothes shopping in 2 years....nor has my husband....we haven't watched TV in over 5 years. We work everyday...I am commercial parts pro at advance auto and he runs a menekie garage ...I come home after picking up our son and feed and water the animals...cook.supper...shower then bed.....weekends I cut grass...clean the yard...and care for animals. We have NO leisure time. We may eat out once a week if we are lucky....the only time we go grocery shopping is just to get a few things here and there. I drive a 81 Chevy pickup which Gets about. 10 mpg. ..not so good...but better than a car payment.he drives our Tahoe 60 miles to work per day.....by the time you figure gas....house payment....feed..insurance...and phone bill...we are tapped out....we have rid ourselves of TV due to the fact That we don't have time.....and when we did watch it...that's all he wanted to do....we do have internet on our phones and it is a luxery but we sell on eBay And here to help feed the critters. We did that when our internet service wasn't cutting it on our home computer. It has gotten to the point where I don't even like to go to town. I feel so out of place....no one around us does anything for themselves. I have even been called stupid at work for having animals....LeT alone telling them I have an extra bedroom just for baby chicks....they think it is so hilarious when I bring eggs to work for my boss...he understands....they are city folks....so. ...what I told them was.....when food prices get so high you can't afford your fancy stuff.....ill be at home eating a steak and a nice fresh salad. Well see who has it better then....farm animals and all...