Tuesday, May 26, 2009

LEARNING TO BE FRUGAL

I am trying to be frugal now. A few job losses will teach you that. I have seen why my Grandfather was frugal until he died. He owned a Studebaker car dealership until Studebaker went out of business. He was in the town part of the mountains. I guess we are all learning what out Grandparents taught us, for a reason.

Today I went to get a new cell phone. I started analyzing how much I use the phone, which is not often. I decided for now, not to sign a two year contract. I am still relieved about that decision. I had a new phone temptation and passed.

I am trying to become debt free for many reasons. This lesson has given me more compassion for struggling families. We are so blessed, we need to help others, that is my goal.

17 comments:

Khris Cantrell said...

This is a sign of wisdom on your part. You have learned from the situations life has thrown at you. There is a lot of wisdom that we can learn from our parents and grand parents if we will just take the time to listen and pay attention. I wish you well on living debt free and pray the Lord will bless you in this.

Anonymous said...

Good for you! I've cut back so much over the last couple of years and I'm just as happy, if not more so. I have more time too with less "stuff" to dust and take care of.

blessedmom said...

Frugality is what I've learned from my parents. I'm just blessed that my family have food to eat, house to live, clothes to wear, good friends,... I am grateful each day to God that I'm alive and my children are safe and healthy. Thank you for sharing this post. You are a blessing. :)

Margaret said...

Thanks for highlighting an important issue. We waste so much and it has been getting worse. With the new "Green" revolution, perhaps we will see less waste of all kinds.
Thank you also for your uplifting words and positive nature.

sally said...

yes I agree..there are more important things than a new cellphone...

by saying no to desires make us stronger person...

awb said...

We are working for the same goal, debt is no fun at all, and I hope to be free of it very soon. Ah, to dream!

Andy

Living Day to Day with Multiple Sclerosis said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Living Day to Day with Multiple Sclerosis said...

Good for you!! Our family has been doing the "frugal" way for a long time... Not that we wanted to but do to the MS and the kids medical problems in the past it has made us that way. Now we are "trying" to be frugal and working on paying bills along with past debts. I Know what our checks are supposed to be each time. Anything over that amount I take that money out and put towards my "Goals" like the kids tuition, Christmas, past debts, etc... When I get the amount I need then I move on to the next goal. I also have gone to clipping coupons and it really does work... I don't get the newspaper so I go to www.coupons.com and print them off.

desperateblogger said...

hear! hear! i totally agree with you. re the furniture, their totally out of my range too. it's just nice to imagine at times.

Anonymous said...

It's always a good day when the "temptation" passes!

Together We Save said...

wow that is awesome.

windi said...

I love this! Thanks for sharing. I'm doing the very same thing. And I'm trying to get into the habit of giving. Hard to do at first, but it does feel good!

Pilar said...

Good for you staying away from things you don´t need! Yeah, we understand more and more why our grandparents were able to make it until they were old, they kept away from things they didn´t need to be able to pay for things you need. I can see a positive side to not having credit cards back then, if they didn´t have the money, they didn´t get it.

RA said...

I'm so with you on this. Being frugal is one of the life values I think we should maintain, even though if we had the privilege of economic fortunes.

LisaG said...

Yes, these times call for spending wisely. I myself am trying to clear off my debts. I spend only when necessary and have made some sacrifices.

Keep up the good work of maintaining your finances.

Jennifer-A Quest for Cents said...

I couldn't agree more. I have been so blessed with evrything in my life and truely appriciate what I have and can mostly live without the stuff I don't have. I've never really been a "stuff" kinda girl. I suppose it is being a good steward of what you have. Great blog!

Boondock Ma (Kim's Mom) said...

Thank you for stopping by and for the great comments!

Good for you for taking the frugal steps towards financial freedom! I didn't have much of a choice back in the 80's, and quickly learned to appreciate the challenges and the lessons learned. I also really appreciated the wisdom I was able to fall back on from my Grandparents who met and conquered all those challenges from the depression era.

One thing I learned was not to judge myself or others by another's (or my) ideas of frugality. We all do what's best for us and our families when the time and circumstances are right for us.

You have a great blog, and I'm looking forward to visiting again soon! (BTW,don't worry, I'm not always this long winded..LOL)

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