frugal living ideas

**wareagle69** · 02-14-2010, 12:52 PM

so the wife and i have decided to put away the credit cards and live wholly off of cash for a year(kind of like all the folks who want to live in the bush for a year) we are curious of the results, so i am looking for money saving ideas, like cheap recipies and other fixes, personally i would like to see a "frugal" subsection but i guess we will have to see how this thread goes.

**Pal334** · 02-14-2010, 01:01 PM

If I am reading your intent correctly, you mean just cash, no credit for household expenses. we have been essentially been doing that for 10 years, with the exception things that require a Credit card, air plane tickets, rental cars and the odd internet purchase. Then pay the balance immediately.Just cash and carry, big purchases have a seperate envelope in the drawer until it is saved up. We did not really change any of our lifestyle, just do it with cash.

**wareagle69** · 02-14-2010, 01:07 PM

exactly our intent

**Pal334** · 02-14-2010, 01:18 PM

Many of the people I know here in NJ were living the big life off credit for so many years, always a new car , big house out to dinner 4 plus times a week, all on "the card", they are all in trouble now, strangling in debt. Most have had to suspend their plans for any type of retirement indefinitely. I rub their noses in it, I have retired twice and now work just for something to do (well honestly use it to bump up savings) until I am 59 and 1/2 or until someone ticks me off.

One thing you may find in a year or so of that life style change is that your credit score actually goes down!!!! Almost a penalty for doing the right thing. But in the long run it relieves alot of stress and strain.

**Ted** · 02-14-2010, 01:22 PM

Just get in the mind set of what you "need"! Then buy what you "need" in bulk.(as cash allows)
Now food, any meat makes great chilli ,spaghetti,BBQ and what not. Hell just a couple of weeks ago I ate italian fox (italian beef seasoning) for breakfest, lunch and dinner!
I also eat alot of rice ,throw in a can of mushroom soup or oinion soup mix with whatever,it's all good!
Bean soup too,white beans,carrots(peeled), onions,(maybe celery)
Let it go in the slow cooker till it starts to thinken (this may be awile)then add some ketchup and garlic powder.(every body loves me bean soup,swears I got it from a can)

**hunter63** · 02-14-2010, 02:11 PM

We have been in cash mode for a while now, still use the card, actually 2, one in DW name, but always pay off at the end of the month.
The others were slowly closed down over a period of time, particularly the "Store cards".

This has caused us some problems as well, as some cards add on a "fee" for non use, or no balance.
Being as pro-active as possible, I call regularly to complain about these, and increased interest rates.
It does help, and a lot of fees have been canceled or lowered, with bottom line being closed down if they persisted.

Good way to live, I still get a kick out of paying cash, and counting out the change.
Good luck on your quest.

**canid** · 02-14-2010, 03:14 PM

i put away the credit cards after an unfortunate situation that arose with my last one [namely, my automatic bill pay malfunctioning and trying to pay a bill i no longer had from a card which was already close to it's limit, and then my hours being cut back without notice to a level that didn't allow me to repay my balance in time].

since then, while i would certainly love to improve my credit, on general principle, i don't actually want to use a card again in my life.

what does this rant have to do with the topic you ask? well, i live pretty frugally on cash, and for the most part i have for several years now. aside from all the times when i can't make enough of it, it's not bad. i don't think i've ever in my life actually needed anything cash couldn't buy [apart from the intangibles].

i just made two or three days worth of caribean beans and rice for two, for about a dollar and a half. it's cheap, with the liberal addition of some cheap or garden grown produce it's got everything you need in it, and tastes great. the way most of the wold eats when they can.

**Rick** · 02-14-2010, 03:15 PM

There is nothing wrong with some level of debt as long as it's reasonable and something you can handle. That debt, rightly maintained, establishes your ability to handle debt and results in lower interest rates when you make the big purchases like homes and vehicles. Credit cards can assist in that effort as long as you pay them off each month. If you want to purchase something that has to be charged simply put the cash aside to pay for the card when it comes in. You are essentially operating on the credit card company's money while yours draws interest (all be it dang little these days).

I try to pay for as much with cash as possible but if there is something I need or want that requires a credit card (internet purchase) then I buy it and pay the card in full.

WE, the first thing I would do is keep a 30 day journal of everything you spend money on. If it's a cup of coffee, write it down. A pack of gum, write it down. At the end of the month you'll have a true picture of where you are spending your money and where you have opportunities to save.

Aside from that, Crash posted an excellent way to save. It's called the dollar plan. You can never spend your change or your one dollar bills. Put all change and all ones in a bank of some type each night. It's off limits. You'll be surprised what you won't buy when you realize you have to break a 5 or 10 just to purchase and knowing that all the change is going in the bank that night. You'll also be surprised how much you will save at the end of the month.

The very first thing in being frugal is knowing where you money REALLY goes and the diary will tell you that.

The second thing is to pay yourself first and the dollar plan will help you with that.

**Winnie** · 02-14-2010, 03:19 PM

I'm the same as the others, been debt free for a while now. I also use a credit card but again pay off the balance as soon as the bill arrives. The credit card company must hate me!

To give you some food for thought here's a few recipes for Homemade cleaners I've tried and regularly used.

dishwashing liquid.
2 ltrs boiling water
2/3 drops tea tree oil
1 tablespoon unscented soap, grated
1 tablespoon of soda crystals
tsp white vinegar
2-3 drops Teatree oil

Mix and put in soap dispenser.

Tea tree and Lavender toilet cleaner

2 cups bicarbonate of soda
1/2 cup washing up liquid (Ecover is my choice)
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp distilled white vinegar
15 drops tea tree essential oil
15 drops lavender essential oil

Mix bicarb, washing up liquid and water together in a large bowl. A balloon whisk works best. Add vinegar and mix well again. Stir in essential oils if using (not absolutely necessary but makes the product smell lovely!)
Store in a plastic lidded container - the empty Ecover washing up bottles work brilliantly as the squirty hole is just the right size). Use as you would any other toilet cleaner and flush away - good for scrubbing stains! SHAKE WELL BEFORE USE AS THE BICARB DOES TEND TO SINK TO THE BOTTOM . If this happens, it's easy to stir with a skewer end or chopstick and a good shake will get it all back together again in no time

Antibacterial Surface Spray

Fill a garden spray with water almost to the top. Add 3 tbsp washing up liquid (Ecover to be eco-friendly) and 15 drops tea tree essential oil. Put on top and shake well. Use anywhere - spills, toilet rims, floors, sinks, marks on walls - brilliant anywhere. Lavender or lemon oil would work equally well as they all have antibacterial properties.

Bathroom Cleaner

1 and 2/3 cups bicarbonate of soda
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup washing up liquid
2 tbsp distilled white vinegar
20 drops essential oil - grapefruit, lemon or mandarin are my favourites

Make in the same way as the toilet cleaner and store in the same type of bottle. Suitable for most baths as it's not terribly abrasive but will remove soap scum and leave the bath nice and shiny. Again, shake really well before use in case the bicarb has settled at the bottom.

YCC also posted this recipe for laundry powder.
2 cups grated soap
2 cups washing soda
2 cups borax powder
Thats it, it works well.

**Rick** · 02-14-2010, 03:28 PM

Good stuff, Winnie. Baking soda is the berries for getting stains out of counter tops and sinks. Just a dab on the end of a wet cloth then scrub. It's acts like a mild abrasive (think sandpaper) to remove the stain.

**crashdive123** · 02-14-2010, 04:47 PM

WE - I don't know what your monthly bills are, but there are two keys IMO. Not using credit cards (or paying them off completely each month) and paying off all of your bills. Get your mortgage and vehicles payed off. The freedom of not having bills is very liberating.

**cowgirlup** · 02-14-2010, 05:39 PM

We have been working on paying off DH's Cards for a while. It is a slow process but I love the cash plan.

For any cards athat have a non use fee I would make the minimum charge and pay it right off.

Anyway, Cost saving tips. Most items in the store have some kind of sale cycle. Here some of the basics like toilet paper are on sale every 6 weeks. I stock up then and only buy it when it is on sale again. Most of the time that food coupons come out the item is also on sale. I try to buy items then so I get the sale price plus the coupon.

I love home made soup. I can also mak a meal out of risotto. We usually have a few inexpensive meals each week and always make sure we eat the leftovers so nothing goes to waste.

Lately I have been keeping the thermostat as low as I can. I sneak it lower whenever possible. This year we had our oil prepaid but in July we will go on the budget again. Since it's based on this years use I want that budget to be set as low as possible. Trying to do the same with the propane.

Also, for those trying to pay off credit cards, in addition to paying more then the minimum try to pay it as early as possible. It helps with accrued interest.

**Camp10** · 02-14-2010, 05:58 PM

I have been credit card free for several years now. I use the debit card for what I would have had to use a credit card for before. I havnt had a car payment in almost 10 years! I pay cash or I dont buy. It's a great goal WE! Like Crash said, it is very liberating.
Reading this thread made me think of something I heard a co-worker say..He was talking about someone who is quite frugal and said " he can squeeze a nickle until the buffalo $hits!" I thought it was funny.

**LowKey** · 02-14-2010, 09:33 PM

I just recently went debt free, except for my truck, I still owe on that, but without the credit card overhead those payments are a breeze. I dumped two credit cards when the interest rates went up last year. A third I keep only for internet purchases. The fourth I use for gas only. Both are paid off each month. I keep the cards active for credit rating because I am looking for that piece of property to retire on. Got pre-approved at the bank last week so hopefully in the next year or so... Trying for a 15 year mortgage so when I actually do hit retirement age it will be paid off.

As far as frugality, I go with friends who have a BJs card to do bulk purchases. You really have to watch their pricing though and scan their coupon flyers or you might not make out any better than a grocery store purchase.

**Sarge47** · 02-14-2010, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by Camp10

I have been credit card free for several years now. I use the debit card for what I would have had to use a credit card for before. I havnt had a car payment in almost 10 years! I pay cash or I dont buy. It's a great goal WE! Like Crash said, it is very liberating.

Same here!

**flop-n-jerk** · 02-15-2010, 09:59 PM

You have go the right idea! Our country would be soo much better off if everyone thought like you do, or at least tried to do what you are doing.

Some of the things my family has been doing to help save are: Vinegar is used for all liquid cleaners, it works good and if you dont like the smell put some lemon in it; Baking soda for scouring powder, and mixed half and half with borax for laundry and dish detergent. We spend about $125 - $150 every two weeks on food, for a family of 6. I use alot of rice and noodles, get whole cuts of meat at discounted prices per pound and portion them into meal sized containers. Only cook enough for eadch meal if you dont like eating leftovers.

**doug1980** · 02-15-2010, 11:17 PM

Umm that is how I have lived my whole life. It's kinda nice. Last year was the first year I bought a vehicle on credit. I bought my house on credit of course but no credit cards. Now my wife on the other hand used CC like nobodies business. But I fixed that real quick.