Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Why Be Frugal?


Why are you frugal?
I'm assuming that if you are reading this blog, you are the type that likes to save money or wants to learn more tips on being frugal. It seems like being frugal is the "cool" thing to do nowadays. I remember growing up in the 80's when being frugal was something to be ashamed of.....the more you spent on something, the cooler it was. (That's how it was in my neck of the woods, anyway). But now, being frugal and saving money seem to be very socially acceptable.

So, why are you frugal?
Is it to get out of debt? Is it because you have extremely limited income? Is it because you are working toward a goal? Is it because it's the cool thing to do? Is it because you get a kick out of getting the best deal?

I am frugal partly because that's how I was raised. My parents worked hard but we had very little money. So, we were frugal out of necessity. My parents had a large garden and mom froze and canned everything so that we would have food through the winter. My brothers and I wore clothes that my mom made and hand-me-downs from our cousins. Going out to eat and shopping at department stores was something that only the "rich kids" got to do. LOL. Needless to say, it is very ingrained in me to squeeze every dollar that passes through my hands.

Another reason I am frugal, is because we are climbing out of debt. We have a small mountain of business debt that we are chipping away at from a failed business. Just FYI: never start a livestock farm right before the corn prices decide to skyrocket. You won't be able to afford to feed the animals and you'll lose everything and end up with a big business debt. *sigh*

We also have an end goal in mind which keeps up pinching pennies. We live in a small town, right next to the business district, but our hearts are in the country. Once our stupid debt is gone, we will be saving up to get a place in the country where I can have a big garden, chickens, goats, etc. Yup, I'm going to be THAT funny country lady that everyone gossips about.

Once again, I ask, why are you frugal?

10 comments:

  1. I'm your newest follower from FMBT! Stop by my blog as well if you'd like... There is nothing wrong with the funny country lady... lol... where i come from everyones a funny country lady :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. For me, it's partly a game. I do get a kick out of finding incredible deals. It's partly the end goal, very similar to yours. We can be funny ladies together. ;) Mostly though, it's a stewardship issue. It doesn't set well with me blowing what little money God has entrusted us with on poor choices. I don't think that good stewardship means that God expects us to eat rice, beans, and water every day. I do, however, think that we are expected to invest our pennies wisely and make informed purchasing decisions and THAT is why I'm frugal.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am frugal for a mixture of all of those reasons that you just listed!

    I just found your blog through Follow me Back Tuesday! Have a great night!

    Amanda @ www.nutritionistreviews.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am a new follower. I hope you will follow me back.
    Nancy
    www.findingblessingsineverydaylife.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Be encouraged my friend. After $15,000 of debt, we are 100% debt free. You can do this!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Be encouraged my friend. After $15,000 in debt; we are 100% debt free. PTL! You can do this.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well, you are my favorite frugal funny friend. Keep up the good work. We are frugal because my hubby says we must be...and I love him for it. Thank God for frugal hubbies and frugal friends to keep you on the right track.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I don't really enjoy being frugal. I don't shop at thrift stores. I don't can my veggies. I don't even have a veggie garden (and if I did, it most certainly would die). Heck, I don't even have a real plant in my house. We don't own chickens. We live in suburbia. In fact, I'm not even sure why I read this blog. Oh yeah, because you are my friend :). With all of that said, I am all for saving money, paying off debt, and living within our means. Our biggest debt is our home, but we do not have credit card debt. It took us a long time to realize that though. Thankfully I married a guy that is with me on the charging up debt thing. We both hate credit cards. We only have them to up our credit rating and we pay them off before they are due. That wasn't always so, but now that is how we roll. I wish I was more frugal. I wish I could sew clothes, shop the thrift stores, and grow my own garden. But God didn't make me that way. I have a hard enough time just making dinner. I didn't grow up like that (my mom never cooked and we didn't have a garden or chickens in our yard). I just gotta live with what I am. that doesn't mean I don't like bargains. I'm just not as evolved as everyone else here..LOL. But I'm glad you are. I get to learn from the pro.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Michelle, you are one step ahead of most people by not having any credit card debt. I know too many who are "forced" to be frugal because of the amount of bad debt they have. And you don't have to have chickens and a garden to be frugal. Those are hobbies that just happen to help with frugality (and are a little more difficult to do in suburbia)......I can't quite picture your hubby doing chicken chores.....LOL. It's almost as funny as trying to picture my husband doing pretty much anything in a metro area. He's like a fish out of water there.

    ReplyDelete
  10. HI. New follower!! from blog hop! You can find me at www.bouffeebambini.blogspot.com I have some great giveaways. please check them out

    ReplyDelete