How do you remain frugal? Offer advice here

[Mike41793]

-Pay for stuff in cash
-Barter for stuff. Im not sure if youre a tradesman or something but advertise any service you can do on things like craigslist.
-Buy stuff in bulk. Shop at stores like Sams Club, Costco, Super Walmart, BJ's. And get the members cards for all these stores which are free. My mom has been a member at Rite Aid for a few years so now she gets like a 30% discount when she shops there.
-Use coupons. Set aside a few hours every week to cut coupons that youve collected throughout the week. Also try and use the coupons in conjunction with sales. Its been like a few years since weve actually had to buy stuff like toothpaste since we usually get it for free.
-Dont buy all name brand stuff. There isnt a huge difference in taste btwn Heinz Ketchup and generic brand.
-Grow a garden if you can. Vegetables are really expensive at the store and if you grow your owm youll save a ton of
Money.
-Sell your gas guzzler for a fuel efficient car. Im currently trying to do this now. (Anyone wanna buy a nice blazer lol? jkjk, but no really....) haha
-Sell stuff around your house that you dont need or use any more. This doesnt save you money but can make you some extra money. Anything thats just sitting there that isnt making you money can go. Like: old instruments, atvs, boats, guns, motorcycles, any electronics, sports memorbilia etc.
- If you have 2 vehicles sell one. You dont need an extra one.
-Premake your own meals if you find yourself short on time usually. If you have premade meals then youll be less likely to order take out or go out to eat.

And most importantly dont get a girlfriend and dont have kids. Thats the fastest way to drain your wallet! Hahaha

[DooLittle]

You're funny- no spouse, no kids... I love mine to death, wouldn't trade them for anything. There are things that money can't buy!

Seriously though, plan a grocery list ahead. Stick to your list. Cook and freeze ground beef mixed with sausage and onion and vacuum seal, pre- cook taco meat, vacuum seal, and freeze. Helps with week night dinners, and the "I don't feel like cooking after a long day at work", or wasting gas and money going to store for a fast dinner. We have a garden with veggies and berry plants, which we use like crazy. Better for you and way cheaper. I also will trade garden items with friends in the summer- ie I grew this but not that, they grew this, but not that so we trade. I can tomatoes, and pickles in the summer, so we have good stuff all year. I also make alot of homemade jam in the summer. Cheaper, better, plus I know what's in it. My daughter loves pb&j. We have chickens, so fresh eggs. Again, I know what's in them since I feed them lots of veggie table scraps, . We have been known to walk to the store from time to time, to save gas. Coupons are a great idea, but I don't sit and go through all of them. (Sucks up too much time). I will get gas after I grocery shop, so I can get my Safeway fuel discount. I do buy off brand name stuff for some stuff. There are a few things that I have to have brand name. Best foods mayo, tillamook cheese, and md toilet paper. The dollar store has tons of things, too. Oh, and breed my own snake food! Cuts down on gas for trips to get rodents. Again, I know what they are eating...lol.

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[Mike41793]

You're funny- no spouse, no kids... I love mine to death, wouldn't trade them for anything. There are things that money can't buy!

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All of my friends with gf's only complain about them 99% of the time. In a fun/loving way of course, but still complaining nonetheless haha. They really dont have anything that i dont have (or cant get when i want to haha). Except for a relationship. But you can have friendships almost equal to that which dont cost you nearly as much lol.

And kids... Oh god dont even get me started on them...

(As my virtual bp.net e-mommy im sure youll still disagree though haha)

[DooLittle]

All of my friends with gf's only complain about them 99% of the time. In a fun/loving way of course, but still complaining nonetheless haha. They really dont have anything that i dont have (or cant get when i want to haha). Except for a relationship. But you can have friendships almost equal to that which dont cost you nearly as much lol.

And kids... Oh god dont even get me started on them...

(As my virtual bp.net e-mommy im sure youll still disagree though haha)

Lol! ^^ Yes, and no. My daughter is my greatest accomplishment, and I am very proud of her, and love her more than anything. But kids aren't for everyone. And they are very expensive.

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[Mike41793]

And they are very expensive.

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Check. Mate.

[Wapadi]

Well from a girls point of view

- I pluck my own eyebrows instead of getting them done at a salon every month at $25-$35
- Paint my own toes instead of the french pedicure I use to get all the time!
- I trim my own hair as well!! Hair cuts are expensive! I still go once or twice a year for a big cute but I do all the little trims at home now
- We make our own favorite coffee from starbucks instead of buying one cup every am! Even with buying their beans and whip cream its still way cheaper!!
- We try to trade for those new balls we have to have instead of outright purchasing!
- We use Redbox now instead of buying ALL the new movies!

[DooLittle]

Red box is awesome!

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[Mike41793]

Whats redbox?
Like netflix?

[RobNJ]

There isnt a huge difference in taste btwn Heinz Ketchup and generic brand.

Yes there is...it's immediately noticeable...looks different, smells different, tastes different. After working 17 years in kitchens, cooking for 13, ketchup is one thing I would never skimp on.

Anyhow, this year I changed jobs. I made a little more at my last job, but it was also 27 miles further from my home. Now, instead of driving 64 miles a day just for work, I drive 10. Been saving a good bit despite the lesser income.

[Mike41793]

Yes there is...it's immediately noticeable...looks different, smells different, tastes different. After working 17 years in kitchens, cooking for 13, ketchup is one thing I would never skimp on.

Anyhow, this year I changed jobs. I made a little more at my last job, but it was also 27 miles further from my home. Now, instead of driving 64 miles a day just for work, I drive 10. Been saving a good bit despite the lesser income.

Not to me but my pallete is far from refined haha