Frugal Living

One of the things we are trying to work on this year is frugal living.  You know, because like my mom always said money doesn't grow on trees. (ie. spending less money)  I used to be really good at this.  When we were first married and for probably the first 5 years we were married I did really good at this.  I would be really careful with my spending and made tons of stuff from scratch, but gradually over time as it became less of a necessity it seemed more of a hassle and so we gradually began spending more.  So, we are reigning ourselves in...and can I say that it really isn't much fun at all?  It isn't.  I don't mind making things from scratch because it's usually simple, tastes better, is much healthier and costs less.  But the actuality of spending less money has me thinking much more carefully about what I buy.  

Now, I'm not a big spender in the first place and usually end up talking myself out of things in the end anyway, but somehow there's a difference between talking myself out of buying something because it isn't exactly what I want or I don't love it, and not buying it because I feel I can't or shouldn't.  Now, before anyone gets the wrong idea my husband has nothing to do with my feeling that way.  It is all ME.  I really do agree that we need to be more careful with our spending, but the reality is just never as I envision it.  I think it's like when you decide to go on a diet or even just eat better.  For me, the minute I decide that I'm going to limit something in my diet is the minute that I crave it terribly.  I think it's the same way with my money diet somehow the thought that I've made this commitment makes me want to go on a buying spree. 

So far we are doing really well.  We have kept our spending within the limits we set for ourselves for the whole month of January so far.  I am honestly surprised how easy it is.  The key for me is not going places that make me want to spend money.  I am also trying to only buy food and household items that are on sale and use a coupon on top of it if possible.  Maybe someday I'll have a pile o' money like this and then I won't have to think about what I'm buying.

The good part is that our kids (hopefully) can see how to be responsible with their money too.  I'm afraid that my kids are a bit spoiled being the only two for so long we've been able to do a lot of stuff that never or rarely happened for me when I was their age.  Hopefully our money diet will help them appreciate more what they have.  (I promise I don't complain about our money diet in front of them.)  I guess I should try counting my blessings to chase away the gimmies. 

Any of you trying to cut back on your spending?  How are you doing it?  Do you have a secret to your success?  Do you love being frugal or are you like me and the thought makes you wanna go buy something? 

PS.  I realize the irony of this post coming directly after my announcement that we are going to Disneyland, but please pretend you don't notice that, or if that won't work for you go ahead and make a joke about it.  ;)