We all remember Wimpy in the old Popeye cartoons saying this famous expression, “I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a Hamburger today.” The reason this expression came to mind to me tonight is that in spite of all my frugal pursuits which are many. I am still wanting instant gratification as I know many of us do. So whats a person to do when faced with so much commercialism on a daily basis, tired, disorganized, frustrated, pulled in many, many different directions. I have thought about this for the past couple of weeks and reflected on some of these various issues and I have decided that I even though I have been a member of Frugal Families since 2001(I used to be under a different name) I have accomplished more than I give myself credit for. I who am sitting under a pile of debt at the moment probably would be under even more debt if it were not for Frugal Families. So here is my plan of action:
1. Touch base at Frugal Families as much as possible.
2. Take time to organize my life and plan ahead even if it means I have to say No to some activities.
3. Set up a budget and follow it as closely as we can.
4. Start a separate savings account that is not currently attached to my checking so that I can start saving my emergency fund.
5. Consolidate some of my debt and cut up the cards again!
6. Air dry my laundry
7. Give up renting movies out or going to the movies
8. Eat out only once a week (Don’t laugh some of us have to take baby steps!)
9. Continue to cut coupons as I need to stick to a grocery goal of $600 amonth, I know many people can go lower but this seems to be our threshold.
10. Do not renew any subscriptions except for Mother Earth magazine which I just cannot seem to give up at the moment.
11. Think about giving up my cable. (Yes I am still mulling it over!)
I will check back in soon and let you know how its going. Even though I have been a Frugal Family member for so long there is always something new to learn!