10 Frugal Living Tips To Happiness On A Tight Budget

[Little Star]

Last edited Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:14 PM - Edit history (1)

Cando Finance
By Matthew Cenzon

~snip
Whether you're dealing with a mountain of debt or trying to save money for your retirement, there are numerous circumstances that can force someone to change his or her spending habits. Frugal living is typically viewed in a negative light, where the word "sacrifice" becomes synonymous with "suffering." However, this does not have to be the case. Here are 10 frugal living tips to achieve happiness on a tight budget.
snip~

http://www.candofinance.com/debt-management/frugal-living-tips/

I like the idea of #5 give yourself an allowance and don't spend any more until the next allowance day.

[MADem]

1. Play it like a game--the less you spend, the more you win.

That's how I do it when I'm belt-tightening! I can feel quite happily smug when I've managed to not spend a damn thing!

[Curmudgeoness]

2. I always find these articles trite.

Same advice in all of them, and people still are not listening to it. The me, this is second nature and only makes sense.

But my favorite is #8----Never walk into a store and purchase something without thinking about it first. Frugal living requires you to consider all purchases with at least a 24-hour timeframe. If you still feel compelled to have the item in question after 24-hours, then it might be worth buying.

I always do this, but 99 out of 100 times, I don't go back. And that is the point, isn't it? The only problem with it is that it goes against MY #1 advice----Don't go shopping. I find that if I am bored and go shopping to get rid of the boredom, I always buy SOMETHING that I would not buy if I had not known it was there. When I am bored, I go to a friend's house (or get on DU). I am rarely in any stores anymore.

And that is my two cents. Now take that two cents and put it in my coin jar! And when you have a full jar, count it and wrap it yourself and deposit it in your bank account----and save the fees they charge you to count it at a coin counter!

[Sherman A1]

3. I am a fan of the comparison shopping method

some of that involves store visits and now of course much can be done online.

I simply want the best deal I can get on something. If that included coupons fine, if it includes doing a bit of research that is fine as well.

[OranicManic]

4. Stay Indoors!

Used to be all you had to do to save money was stay home, that was before the internet.

I buy pre-paid cards for monthly internet use only (safe) , and will not use another card until the next month. So yes, I have a backlog of 'stuff' I want/need, but I can control the spending by staying on the one month one card rule.

[Fumesucker]

5. I like the sound of that..

Have you found a specific card issuer you particularly like?