I have been raised non-frugal and now I am converting.
I have the tendency of fixing problems by buying stuff or services.
Why? That is the way I was raised and until now, I never had the need to look for a different way. It just never occurred to me there was a different way.
Scary thing is that I am the most pragmatic, less shopaholic and most anti-consumerism of all my friends.
Some frugal things I've always done, because I grew up with them:
- I am 39 and I am driving my third car, and the only reason it is not the second is because a crane truck destroyed the previous one while I was at a red light. I am currently driving the most expensive car I even bought, my $20,000 Honda Civic 2006. I had a baby and got a lot of grievance "you have to get a van now" Why? I had a human baby, not an elephant, he fits just fine on my civic, I would reply.
- I own 8 pairs of shoes average price of $12 and I think it is plenty
- I am not into jewelry, I think I own 10-12 items, all gifts
- I don't buy clothing unless something I own has broken or needs to be retired. I have clothing that is more than 10 years old and still going. I never spend more than $60 on a piece of clothing and my average price is $25 for a good pair of pants, $40.
- I don't tint my hair, and I don't think I will until I grow grays. I cut my hair 2-3 times a year.
All that is natural to me, unfortunately, the following is not, therefore the need to change:
- I had not been to tracking my expenses until now; It took a few months to get used to it. I know I don't spend much on clothing, for example, but I still don't know how much it is.
- I never looked into how much I spend in food; I bought all I wanted and then more and ate out all I wanted too. Mainly lunches though. I am not into fine dining unless there is a big occasion.
- I never looked into how much I spent on household, I bought all I wanted to organize or beautify my home
- I had always solved problems by spending; Buy a how to book, pay for coaching, buy a "solution" be it software, a kit, etc.
- I had never allocated money for upcoming expenses that are not monthly; car maintenance, car registration, aaa memberships, taxes, etc
There are different ways and I am learning
The non-frugal mind
July 6th, 2009 at 05:59 pm
July 6th, 2009 at 07:05 pm 1246903549
July 6th, 2009 at 07:43 pm 1246905782
July 6th, 2009 at 09:05 pm 1246910757
I believe it will allow me to make the strategic changes I need to be less tight each month, more freedom.
When I get where I want to go, I might track less closely.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:14 pm 1246918451
July 7th, 2009 at 06:09 am 1246943363
I also track food, which has been helpful in losing weight.
Like whitestripe, I love the idea that I can go back in time and relive - to May 2007 and tell you what Paris cafe I ate at. That way you spend the money once but enjoy it multiple times!
July 7th, 2009 at 09:19 am 1246954789
July 7th, 2009 at 05:32 pm 1246984323
July 14th, 2009 at 03:16 am 1247537777
July 14th, 2009 at 10:32 pm 1247607125