Ask:
I'm sure many of us do frugal, cost-cutting activities everyday. Example: using up leftovers, shopping discount stores etc.
What activity or trait gives you the most satisfaction, or bang for your buck?
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cooking from scratch and not eating out. It was our biggest downfall-eating out every day, twice a day. Now, I cook a lot and it is saving us hundreds of dollars. I am loving it.
Answer:
I think grocery shopping frugally is my favorite. I am able to get a lot of food for much less than we used to spend. It makes me feel good because it is something I am going to have to purchase but I am doing it frugally.
I also love being able to find gifts for friends and family at a great price. I have a gift basket I put together for my FIL for his birtday and I can't wait to see him get it. I used a large styrofoam ice chest as the basket and filled it with snacks, fishing gear and even a fishing pole and dvd. All for $20! I did my bargain hunting and came up with a great deal. It will be much more than I could have gotten him for that price otherwise. Its nice to still be able to do great things for people and not break the bank!
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MandeeRenee I think your FIL will be thrilled! Sounds like you got a heck of a deal
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Everything I do gives me satisfaction! It takes all the little savings here and there to make the difference, so any time I find a good deal, or come out of the grocery store under my budget, I'm thrilled. Saving money for my family, and having money to give to my church or other charities makes me happier than any mall shopping spree ever could!
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I love all the freebies I get a cvs and Im proud of how much I have saved my buying used when I can. I like gargage sales, I never use to go to them but I have found some awsome deals and really once its in my house nobody knows where I bought it.
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I think the ones that give me the biggest thrill are the aha moments, when I do something different than I would normally have done in my more spend thrift days.
Like for instance last night both kids had activities and in order to feed DD I told DH, just run thru McD's after dance so she has something to eat and then bring her to the swim meet, and then I was like uh DUH! I'll pack her a lunch in her lunch box with special treats and she won't care about McD's...she came to the swim meet, and was so proud of her little lunch. Doesn't take much to impress a 7 year old.
I also keep a calendar on my computer that is just for recording what I spend each day, one of my biggest thrills is when I can go in and type on a day NO $$$ SPENT TODAY!!!
It really gives me the strength to try to get as many of those days as possible each month.
Answer:
Originally Posted by savin'mommy
I think the ones that give me the biggest thrill are the aha moments, when I do something different than I would normally have done in my more spend thrift days.
I agree 100%. I was once a spender and it's these aha moments that spur me on to more savings.
I think my biggest thrill is my switch to no fee banking. When so many other people are paying monthly fees and getting no interest every month, I get a little thrill every time I see my bank statement. No fees. Lots of interest.
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Grocery shopping! I get so excited to find a deal and LOVE to brag about it later. I've been keeping track and my dh is so proud of me that we are SO well fed with money left in the bank after!! Its almost like a game to go through the coupons, the flyers and find the best deal and the most for my $$.
Also, saving the energy. I get a 'high' when the energy bill arrives and its a few $$s lower every month. I pat myself on the back for that one!!
Answer:
Going without. Anytime I can use something I have instead of buying new, use up my stockpile instead of shopping, or wear something out I feel great. I'm trying to live by the "less is more" philosophy.