One thing I find as the owner of Frugal-Families is that the newest members of our forums generally want to know how we manage to spend so little on things. Well, like any skill (and saving money and stretching the dollars until the eagles scream is just that-a SKILL) time and practice make perfect. We didn’t come to this point in our frugal lives overnight.
Like anything else, change in our lives didn’t come easy. I can remember trying to implement too many frugal tactics and getting frustrated and feeling overwhelmed. Once I cut back and focused on just one new thing it was much easier. I had to think about each frugal tactic when I first implemented it-it was a chore. Within two weeks, it wasn’t a chore and just part of my routine,that is when I would implement another frugal tactic.
Soon frugality was just part of my life. I had woven it into every aspect and I was enjoying the benefits of my labor-using our saved money to pay off credit cards, feeling more secure about me staying home with the boys (I didn’t have to work as much to make ends meet), and using our “found” money to do more things with our family like camping.
So, while you read through the blogs and the articles on frugality, don’t think you have to do it all NOW. Pick one thing and focus on it. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Frugality can be fun and rewarding (nothing like getting 17 tubes of toothpaste for FREE at the local drug store!).
Set a goal for your frugality and write it down. Maybe your goal is to go from $800/month in groceries to $400. What are you going to do with your extra money as you slash away at the grocery budget? $400 will do alot in a budget! Perhaps payoff that credit card that’s been saddled on you for the past seven years? Build an emergency fund so you don’t have to use that credit card when Murphy knocks on your door (he always does you know!). This can be a big motivator as well.
Whatever you do-have fun! Challenge yourself! Take baby steps and soon you’ll be on the path to hardcore, money-saving frugality!