#andthenwesaved

[lareinabroka]

What does being frugal mean to you? How do you determine whether something is worth buying? Do you base it on your needs or your wants? I’m trying to be more thoughtful about what I buy and why. I ask myself do I need this? Do I need it now? Do I want this? Can I live without it? Will it add value to my life or my circumstances?

http://andthenwesaved.com/frugal-doesnt-mean-cheap/

[thirtydaysofsomething]

-image via rapidmoviez-

30 Days of Frugal.

Day 7

Officially one week in to living the frugal life, definitely harder than going vegan that's for sure. With this month's topic, I am doing a bit more research and hunting for inspiration on how to live simply. I need to change my habits and going cold turkey is making me really realize how much I used money as a way too smooth things over or make them easier. Below are two great blog posts that have been super motivating and making me totally go "mmmmhmmm, that's totally right".

One great resource for almost everything I do is Pinterest, as I was browsing cheap recipes and cheap things to do I came across this AWESOME BLOG: And Then We Saved. It is a great resource and full of information and how-to's when deciding to go on a "spending diet" or in my case a "spending fast". 

I particularly love this blog post about the 5 very good reasons to become a cheap skate. These are all the points I hope to take with me after these 30 days are over. Here is post below or you can check it out for yourself here:

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The term ‘Cheapskate’ is not always thought of in a good light. However, in light of the economy and the need to consider your future financial situation, becoming a cheapskate is not an unreasonable goal to set. Whether you call yourself cheap, thrifty, frugal, budget-conscious, money-wise, or financially smart it doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that you are pro-actively saving cash you will need down the road.

I tell ya what, I for one, am proud to be a Cheapskate. (Errr… remember that one time?)

There are plenty of reasons to become a Cheapskate today but here are 5 for you to consider upfront in case you have doubts about the benefits of living frugally.

5 Very Good Reasons To Become An Extreme Cheapskate This Very Moment…

1. You’ll Save Money

Clearly, this is the main reason many people strive to live frugally. Many people complain they don’t have enough money to make ends meet let alone put cash away for the future. Think again! By finding the cheaper route to want you need (and sometimes what you want), you will have more accessible cash to dump into your savings. A few dollars saved can add up to a huge sum over a few years’ time. Don’t discount a dollar saved whenever possible. It can have a lot of power throughout your lifetime.

2. You’ll Eliminate Debts for Good

The more cash you save buying things or not buying things, the more cash you’ll have to allocate towards your debts. The more efficient you are at eliminating debts for good and incorporating frugality into your life, the less you’ll have to worry about new debts arising in the future.

3. You’ll Learn Financial Lessons Daily

There are a plethora of tips and tricks available these days to help you become a Cheapskate. The subject of frugality has really gone mainstream in the last few years as more and more people are looking for ways to save. You’ll learn that you are not alone and that living a frugal, cheap lifestyle can be a fun adventure and not a journey of torture.

4. You’re Stress Will Decrease Exponentially

By saving more, eliminating your debts, and having cash in the bank to fall back on, you can decrease your levels of stress on a day-to-day basis. No more collection calls. No more fear of overdrawing your bank account. No worries about having your stuff repossessed. You can live more relaxed now and likely suffer fewer health problems as a result of extended stress. Living without the stress of debt opens you up to a whole new life of freedom. Seriously,autonomy is where it’s at.

5. You’ll Learn to Love Your New Life

Change is not always easy but adapting to a cheapskate lifestyle can be enjoyable. You’ll learn so much more about yourself, your abilities, and the benefits of financial stability than you would continuing on as you have been. You can connect with other Mr./Mrs. Krabs in the world and continue to improve your frugal skills. Best of all, you can enjoy a life free of financial burdens and suffocating debts.

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Additionally, I started following Budgets are Sexy. Although I could do without the blog name, this site is chock-full o' good stuff. I particularly resonated with the post Being Cheap vs. Being Frugal (aka Smart). 

A couple of parts that really stuck out for me:

 "Because since no one ever wants to feel as though they are being judged as “cheap”, they spend money they don’t have on things they don’t need all because they simply weren’t being referred to as “smart” instead."

"More than worrying about what other people are thinking, it is especially important to be mindful of how you’ve defined money-saving habits in your own mind. "

Check it out on your own! Till next time piggy banks!

[conscientiouskitchen]

Stumbled across this website the other day, and what a wonderful website it is! For anyone on a budget, this site is a top-notch resource when it comes to saving without scrimping, and making do without depriving yourself. The "98 Cheap and Easy Foods to Make for Under $5" was a particularly useful assemblage of recipe ideas, from the common sense (peanut-butter and jelly) to the unexpected (goulash, anyone?). Some of the recipes do seem a little out there and not especially budget conscious. The Pear, Walnut, and Goat Cheese Salad, the Pesto, Pear, and Swiss Sandwich on Wheat Toast, and the Grilled Salmon with Lemon and Asparagus Spears all seem like items on a bistro menu more than money saving recipes, but if you can make it work on your budget, why not?  If nothing else, this blog offers some good ideas and inspiration pieces for your own money saving endeavors.