Frugalistas

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dotnmarty

New member
I came across this article in today's paper and it got me wondering what others are doing to "cut back".
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/11/busin ... tas&st=cse
Since we already own a 16 footer, we are by definition among the frugalista elite. Frankly, we haven't changed our life style that much, but we did make a few changes. Those that come to mind immediately are:

1. Changed lawn service from monthly to every other month
2. Cut out all premium cable except for HBO
3. Booked an inside stateroom on our annual Alaska cruise
4. Cancelled yard waste weekly pickup
5. Deferred 401K distribution to next year
6. Purchase clothing, except undies and socks, from Value Village.
7. Eat out only at lunch.

Admittedly there is no great sacrifice in doing the above, but there is an appreciable aggregate savings compared to before.
 
Hi Marty,

We made most of the changes three years ago when we retired. We didn't realize we were being "frugalistas". :wink: We considered it part of the downsizing we wanted to do. We eat lunch out instead of supper... besides saving money, it's better on our digestion. :mrgreen: We don't buy stuff just to buy... I buy shirts and shorts at Sam's Club, but just don't need the wardrobe we had when we were working. Joan has no need to wear suits. We are all about the shorts and t-shirts. I saw in that article the piece about "clothing swaps"... want to swap t-shirts? :mrgreen: I used to buy $75 jeans; now when long pants are necessary, $12 jeans are just as comfortable.

We have definitely slowed our travel pace... well, at least the speed. When land traveling, we rarely stayed more than a couple nights in one place, and frequently drove 500 miles a day. Not anymore. Unless we are "just passing through", we try to go by the 2/2/2 rule: don't drive more than 200 miles per day, get off the road by 2:00, and spend a couple nights so you can really see an area. When traveling with Wild Blue, we again have slowed our pace... at first it was because of the ridiculous price of fuel, but now we enjoy being where we can cruise at a more comfortable pace (part of my reasoning for looking at the Erie Canal this summer).

When grocery shopping, we compare brands to see what is the best buy. We eat in more these days because we can... when we were working, we ate out almost every lunch and most suppers. Joan says she likes to cook... I know I like to eat her cooking. :D It's nice to have the time to do that.

As Dan (our cartooning son-in-law) has penned, we can now order off the "55+ menu". :thup

We eliminated our land line and DSL at home (seems they were on "vacation" most of the time anyway) and use just our cell phones and the wireless broadband.

Just a few years ago, blatant consumption was "in"; now it's hip to be frugal. We're just ahead of the curve. :wink:

Sunsets are free, as is good conversation. The "water therapy" and traveling I crave is less expensive than paying a shrink.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
1. Changed lawn service from monthly to every other month
2. Cut out all premium cable except for HBO
3. Booked an inside stateroom on our annual Alaska cruise
4. Cancelled yard waste weekly pickup
5. Deferred 401K distribution to next year
6. Purchase clothing, except undies and socks, from Value Village.
7. Eat out only at lunch.
Click to expand...


1. never had anyone cut my lawn but me and the kid.
2. never had more then HBO
3. never cruised any where but on my boat
4. Dont have a choice in this . they charge you anyhow
5. a what???
6. Susan buys my cloths. if I knew what they cost I would go naked and no body wants that.
7. only eat out once a week.

Does not look like I have room to cut.

We have cut out a few things. No more house phone at all. cheaper to just have a cell. Got rid of the kid, saved thousands in food bills.
 
starcrafttom":s28ko49k said:
1. never had anyone cut my lawn but me and the kid.
2. never had more then HBO
3. never cruised any where but on my boat
4. Dont have a choice in this . they charge you anyhow
5. a what???
6. Susan buys my cloths. if I knew what they cost I would go naked and no body wants that.
7. only eat out once a week.

Does not look like I have room to cut.

We have cut out a few things. No more house phone at all. cheaper to just have a cell. Got rid of the kid, saved thousands in food bills.
Click to expand...

Hey Tom- I never had anyone cut my lawn either. Besides cutting mine, I cut my elderly neighbor's each week for free. (After all, I'm only 73). The lawn service is Scotts. It turns out it's cheaper for them to come and spread their stuff than it is for me to buy it and do it.

About the yard waste, Waste Management does charge quite a bit for supplying and emptying that optional yard waste can every week.

Dot won't let me take the 16 footer up the inside passage. Believe it or not, my May 30 seven day cruise on NCLis $379. per person. Actually, with the taxes it comes to $1100. for both of us (about $550 apiece)..

You may want to ask someone what a 401K is..

We do eat out too much. I'll work on that.

We too got rid of the kids, long ago. Of course, money spent of grandchildren doesn't count.

MartyP
 
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