Best and Worst

[Jenni]

So what are your best and worst areas in living frugally? Where do you succeed and where do you struggle?

My best area is just shopping in general. I rarely go shopping. I only food shop every 6 weeks so that helps cut way back on the extra trips and impulse buying. I almost never stop at stores just because simply because unbuckling 4 carseats in such a pain in the butt. My kids have definitely helped us stay on target!

My worst area is quick meals. Life has become much busier lately with the addition of Tee-Ball and Gymnastics. Add worship practice one night a week and bible study one day a week and we are on the road 1 day and 3 evenings each work week. I try to schedule any other stops that are needed (library, bank, etc) at the same times to save gas. The problem is it makes for long car trips and hungry whining kids. If ind myself stopping for fast food far more often than I used to. Even though I never buy the kids meals and almost always give them water to drink, it still adds up (not to mention unhealthy!) I'm going to try keeping some ready made healthy snacks in the fridge to grab and waters in the fridge. I don't usually buy bottled water, but if it means saving fast food trips, it will be worth it.

So where are your best and worst areas?

[Candace]

Hi there!
I do pretty well shopping as well.
I spend too much on kitchen gadgets. I love them. I always think that if items make it easier for me to prepare healthy meals at home they will eventually pay for themselves. Although this is true, I need to take a step back sometimes and wait on getting new things.
I am also a sucker for used books!

[songbirdtiff]

I'm really not much of a shopper either. I don't even enjoy it, although I used to buy tons of clothes! My best area is using what I already have instead of buying something new. My worst area is food. I work outside the home during the day and after work I just don't feel like cooking. It's just the lazy woman in me that decides just to go out to eat.

[SAHMmy Says]

I usually spend too much when we go to parties/bbq's/events because Mom raised me to never show up empty handed and I either space on the upcoming event or accept a last minute invite. So I end up paying the going price at the store on the way to the party for beer/sodas, a deli or bakery dish, and snacks for the kids. Sometimes I think I spend more to grab these items than I would if I was hosting the party and had time to frugally and thoughtfully plan.
I've started noting sales on flowers, party platters, beer, and snacks as I go through the grocery ads each week. These are things that aren't in our regular grocery plan, but if I need something to take to a party, at least I know which grocery store to hit.

[M3]

Outlook's reminder feature helps me with this. Whenever we get an invitation, I log it in and set the alarm to remind me x number of days in advance to help me avoid the last minute purchases. (I do this with mailing cards, too! For cards, I keep in mind where in the country the card must go and plan accordingly.)

[Mindi]

My best area is in grocery/household shopping. I have become quite the Coupon Queen (to the chagrin of customers behind me) and have managed to cut back to feeding a family of 5 for about $50/week (and yes, they ARE healthy meals)

My worst area is that I am still WAY to indulgent of myself and want to say "well - I only spent $50 on groceries this week...why CAN'T I buy the $90 eye cream"? But I'm working on that!

[M3]

Wow! $50/week is fantastic!

[Monica Martin]

How do you manage to do grocery shopping every 6 weeks? I am amazed by that and very curious!

My husband and I make it a point to go out on dates. We alternate between going to get yogurt some weeks, and others we go out to dinner. Getting a bite to eat together is definitely a weak spot, but sitting in a nice dinner with dim lighting is romantic and good for a marriage I figure!

[Jenni]

I get my dairy products/eggs delivered and I get most of my produce locally (or home grown). Also, I make all my own bread products (bread, rolls, tortillas). I also buy flour, sugar, spices and a few other odds and ends in bulk. And we buy a half-cow at a time. I also try to can/freeze as much as I am able. So when I do actually go to the food store, it's only to buy the filler items.

I do stop at CVS every week, however, for ECB items.

[Marla]

Grocery shopping is my worst habit. My oldest works at a grocery and I have to take her and pick her up. If I'm out of something, I'll run in, but end up buying other stuff! I try not to go in! My family also has very different tastes in foods and they refuse to all eat the same thing. One child is a junk food junkie and will starve before eating anything good for him! We've tried - for example, I'll sneak pureed carrots in spaghetti sauce - but he is difficult! The other two have different school schedules and lunch times, so they want to eat at different times - can't blame them - they are hungry. They like to fix their own stuff. One doesnt eat beef. The other doesnt eat much meat at all. I'm also light on meats, but my husband is a meat and potato person- that's all he wants. It causes me to shop for a lot of different things. On a personal level, I am a lotion junkie! I didnt realize how much lotion I bought! I've started to give it away and try to use one or two bottles before I open another one - it's going to take a while to use it all and I have to watch or I'll buy another bottle if I see something on sale that I like!