When Chuck asked his question about debt there were so many good answers that I thought I would ask another quesion. We are already on a plan to have our mortgage paid off as quickly as possible. But, somewhere in another posting someone mentioned money burning a hole in their pockets. I've done really well with this but every now and then........!!!! What do some of you do for inspiration to keep from falling off of the frugal wagon? I liked the comment about waiting three days to purchase anything...any other good ones? I'm not talking about ways to BE frugal , just ways to REMAIN frugal! Consumerism is a difficult habit to break when you haven't been at it very long...so what do you think?

-- Jennifer (KY) (acornfork@hotmail.com), April 21, 2000

Answers

1. try to keep busy with free and productive things (gardening, a picnic, etc.) 2. stay away from places where you will be tempted. 3. set aside a little bit of money to spend -- but even then, follow the three-day rule. 4. don't keep company with people who will lead you astray!! 5. when you DO spend money, spend it on things you will need when you get out of town (a garden cart is a big purchase, but an example of what I mean) 6. make a list of things you will need to purchase for country living, and scour yard sales looking for them. You get a shopping fix, don't spend much money, and get durable goods that you will soon be needing (down-side is you will also need storage space -- and don't be tempted by all those cute but unnecessary knick-knacks!!) 7. Keep in mind the ultimate goal, to be free of servitude to your debtors. And keep in mind that this is a permanent lifestyle change, just like a diet ought to be -- both require the development of self-control, and the ability to forgo instant gratification in view of the longer-term good to be gained.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), April 21, 2000.

Some folks just like to spend money..it's not that you need whatever it is, but just the spending part is cool...one of my sons is like that and here's what helped him...I advised him to spend money on himself, literally....Now when he sees something he wants to buy, he finds a picture of it, glues the picture in a scrapbook and takes the money for the item, including tax, and puts it in a jar.If he does not have the cash, he makes out a piece of paper marked "credit card" and sticks that in the jar..He has no ready cash in his wallet because it has gone into the jar..but in HIS mind, he has "spent" it...When he has $1000 in real money, he puts it into a CD..so far, he is 27 years old and has no debts anymore...on the very rare occasion when he actually needs something, he has his friends go with him to make the purchase. This works for him because he was almost 15K in debt four years ago...just because he loves to spend money...try it...you'd be surprised at how big a jar you'll need.

-- lesley Chasko (martchas@gateway.net), April 21, 2000.

Another thing that helps is DON'T EVEN OPEN those credit card offers we all get by the dozens. You know the ones that say "You've been preapproved for $XXXX credit limit". In fact, just cut up any credit cards you have or do as one young lady I know did: she took her credit card or cards, I don't recall, and froze them in a block of ice in her freezer. That kept her from running to Walmart, etc. on a whim, but they were there if some desparate need, like new battery for her car when she was broke, etc. came up. She paid off her debt, and didn't buy a lot of frivolous stuff. Jan

-- Jan B (Janice12@aol.com), April 21, 2000.

Jennifer, put a photo of what your goal is on the fridge, or where ever you frequent, my milk machine for instance. I also keep hidden envelopes with names of goals written on them, I stash money in them when I have the extra, even if its a couple of dollars. I am picking up a buck in Louisiana and want to stay at a casino hotel and gamble, its amazing how much money I have been able to stash! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 22, 2000.

There is one lovely thing about impulsive spenders--they buy it than they don't want it ! I usually can find those items at half price or better.If I don't need it than the search for the item becomes more effort than I have to spend.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), April 22, 2000.

We have a large cider jar that we put all of our change in for vacation. Whatever is in there is our spending money when we get ready to go. It is amazing how it is adding up. I also keep a running list of purchases I'd like to make and always pay cash. I don't shop at Walmart any more unless it's absolutely necessary. It is amazing how much stuff I was buying that I was convinced were necessities that really weren't! I leave the checkbook at home too! I don't even go near clothing stores unless they're consignment shops. I throw away any catalog that comes in the mail without opening it (except Lehman's). I like to shop on ebay although I have found it's also addictive. I have found some great clothing bargains there and books for our children to read. Any time I really feel like I have to buy something I try to make it something that will be useful for canning or gardening or making myself more self sufficient. ( I recently got a victorio strainer on ebay for 10$)

-- Jennifer (KY) (acornfork@hotmail.com), April 22, 2000.

Well the coffee hasn't kicked in yet because I wasn't finished when I hit something! My last comment was going to be that lately I'm most successful when I really want to purchase something (usually that I don't need) I look around my house and see that I still have to get rid of stuff. I fill a box and put it in the garage for our upcoming garage sale. It is SOOO satisfying to get rid of stuff instead of purchasing. When I feel the urge to buy again, I fill up another one! My house is getting cleaner than it has in years! (However, I am still missing that one shoe!!!!) LOL!

-- Jennifer (KY) (acornfork@hotmail.com), April 22, 2000.

I have a large list of things I'd like to get someday, another list of family & friends likes, and a third of pantry items. Sometimes when I need to get out and do some shopping, I take my time (and my lists) and shop around. I make a day of it and don't really get anything until I've visited several stores. Usually I can get what I need at a good savings by buying in advance when I can get a good (often great) deal. I can spend the day out and about while saving money. Most people would agree that it's kind of hard to save money by spending it, but I buy "stuff" I'm going to anyway. So basically I get in a shopping fix and save a buck or two in the proccess. After reviewing some of my grocery bills from the last few months, I've saved about 45%, and that's including my convienence stops for perishables.

-- Chris Stogdill (cstogdill@rmci.net), April 22, 2000.

My kids are 6 and 8. They don't get an allowance but have each saved nearly $100 dollars in the last year and a half on their own (with little guidance) just from little extras from Grammas and Aunts birthday/Christmas cards etc.

When they first get the money they sometimes spend a few $'s onn clothes or something not to frivalous. That's were the guidance comes in, but I'm not pushy, I just ask if they are sure that's more important than their long term goal. They usally think hard before they decide to spend their own money on something so when they do it's those odd green pants on the clearance rack I couldn't stand even at $4 but she loved or a book, game,puzzle or art supplies that will be useful not forgotten. They have the satisfaction of knowing that when their rooms are finally done (being remodeled) they will be able to decorate the way THEY want with murals and nice comforters etc., then comes the tree house (mostly scrounged and cheap), then my son wants to raise his own animal.

I guess the point is, know your goal (and what is important in your life), then decide if what you want right now is worth cutting into that goal.

We are so happy just living that we don't think of it as "doing without" or wanting every little thing.

-- Novina West (lamb@stellarnet.com), April 24, 2000.