https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 20 May 2026 13:10:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal/page/2#post-460798 Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:06:41 +0000 Boogs 460798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The biggest change I've personally made since my younger years is having a needs vs wants conversation with myself whenever I shop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal/page/2#post-460684 Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:53:39 +0000 sunny 460684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: ok I know this isn't exactly what you asked but this is what we do to make our money go further (after already doing things like cutting back):</p> <p>We responsibly use a points earning credit card (we don't carry a balance month to month)<br /> 1. helps us track ALL expenses -- we tend to lose track of cash.<br /> 2. It gets us free stuff</p> <p>We are currently visiting my parents across the country for the holidays. The cheapest plane tickets were $700+ for each of us. Using my Chase Sapphire card, I transferred over points to my United mileage account and got 2 tickets for ~$120 (taxes which were not covered). We even got to sit in business class for one way, which was fantastic with an infant because we skipped every line (checkin, security, boarding).</p> <p>Since I know your parents live in LA, this could help you save in airfare which would be a big win. </p> <p>For me, saving $1400 on the plane tickets beats couponing. I am a total failure with the coupons and it would probably take me years to save $1400. I also have other cards which earn me 1.5%-5% cash back on things I buy anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal/page/2#post-460594 Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:57:50 +0000 jedeve 460594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: That would be fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal/page/2#post-457463 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:15:55 +0000 Mrs. Bee 457463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: your reply would be great as a guest post! interested in expanding it a little bit for the blog? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal/page/2#post-457434 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:06:13 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 457434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with lots of the advice already posted, especially about going out and limiting tv/phone expenses. Another thing that helps me a lot is keeping a running list of things we need, then every few months (with budget in mind) going on a shopping binge for a few days to get everything (best when timed with sales). That way I get all shopped out, and lose the desire for a while and I don't feel like I'm depriving myself because I just got all these things. Another good one for online purchases is just putting things in your cart and never checking out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal/page/2#post-457386 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:56:55 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 457386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: Wow! I really like your conceptual advice :)</p> <p>We also don't have cable and are ditching Netflix because we don't use it that much anyway! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal/page/2#post-456528 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:32:49 +0000 Bao 456528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DigAPony: Yes, cutting out cable is a good one! Luckily we live on the 3rd floor in an apartment so we rarely need to turn the heat on, that saves a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal/page/2#post-456507 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:16:33 +0000 DigAPony 456507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are extremely frugal because we have to be. Some things we do:</p> <p>--meal plan carefully before grocery shopping<br /> --buy the generic/cheapest brand of everything<br /> --only go out to eat once a week or less, and don't buy cocktails/beer while we're out<br /> --don't buy absolutely anything unless we actually need it (no clothes, Starbucks, fun makeup, etc.)<br /> --no TV (we have Netflix instant which is only $8/month)<br /> --don't run the heat (we bundle up instead)</p> <p>That's all I can think of for now. Once you get into the habit of being more frugal, I'm sure it will become second nature! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal/page/2#post-456491 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:05:09 +0000 skibobrown 456491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For a while DH was unemployed, and we lived in a very expensive part of the country, so we were frugal b/c we had to be. I took a vanpool to work, which was cheaper than driving. We rarely went out to eat. We did one big grocery shopping each week where we bought all of our food for the week. We planned our meals carefully. The place where we did splurge was on certain higher-quality foods and alcohols. We figured we weren't eating out really at all, so making nice cocktails for ourselves and cooking some good food made us still feel like our life was fun... and eating in is almost always more cost effective than eating out. We would do fancy martinis and have date nights in watching Mad Men. It was a somewhat different lifestyle, but it wasn't half bad! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal/page/2#post-456489 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:00:42 +0000 cranberryapple 456489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use Mint.com, and aside from the recurrent monthly expenses, 95% of our other expenses are on FOOD!!! I have a category that I call "Fast Food" which is separate from the groceries, and it's mostly from DH and his eating out during lunch at work, which is fine once a week for social purposes. What he needs to work on is the impulse buys - ice cream, cakes, cookies, etc.! </p> <p>We buy high quality meats and organic produce, but I'm hoping that will pay off in the long run with better health. </p> <p>I thrift all my clothing as well as LO's clothes. We cloth diaper. I avoid turning on the heat in the house even though it's cold as heck, I cook all of our meals, and.......we never really go out and spend money too often. We're homebodies! I also don't really buy much anymore, though I will admit, I used to be a hoarder! Since we are living in a small place, I've had to get rid of a lot of stuff and from doing that, I feel more at ease. It's stressful finding storage for all that stuff! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal/page/2#post-455442 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:01:16 +0000 sooz 455442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think all the advice is great. I also bring lunch everyday and luckily, DH gets lunch provided to him at work. We don't have cable. We don't have a landline at home just our cell phones which we have the cheapest plan (I make all my calls either at work or during "night mins"). We also buy everything we can from either craigslist or eBay, and if we can't find it on either of these two sites, we always buy on sale or using coupons. I can't remember the last time I've bought anything (except groceries) full price.</p> <p>Oh, and we use the CC for everything (including monthly bills) and pay the balance off every month. That way we get points that we use for vacations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-455289 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:20:38 +0000 PurplePumps 455289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: I'm exactly the same way!<br /> I have always been super frugal cause that's how I was raised. My mom took me shopping and we always shopped clearance rack and out of the weekly circulars. Why pay more when you dont have to! We're natural savers and just dont like to spend ("waste") money on misc items.</p> <p>I don't pay extra for convenience, or impulse buy. Well, I do impulse buy sometimes to think about it at home, but I always return if I don't want it. We rarely eat out and don't spend a lot on personal maintenance (I cut his hair, do my own nails, don't get massages, or gym memberships). No daily coffees. Buy in bulk, stock up on non perishables when it's a good price. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-455272 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:15:46 +0000 jedeve 455272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Four years in college, two years in a volunteer corps, two years in grad school (while supporting my husband on a TA-ship), and now a baby on the way has made us very frugal!</p> <p>It depends on how you tend to conceptualize thing. If you are a detail person and do well with rules, then things like budgeting or cutting out certain areas will help a lot. There are tons of blogs on this. </p> <p>If you are a big picture person (which is how I tend to be), then it would be more about changing a philosophy. For me it's two things:</p> <p>1) Separate wants from needs. </p> <p>It's totally OK to purchase wants. But every time you buy something, ask if it's a want or a need. You'll start to realize how often you indulge. </p> <p>2) Really, really enjoy indulgences. It's the same with dieting - don't mindlessly snack. Don't buy the skirt that's only kinda cute or buy a latte from the coffee shop you only kind of like. Learn to savor. Research what wine you want ahead of time or ask the wine guy (isn't there a word for that vin- something?) to recommend a three buck chuck. Or my favorite - pick the prettiest label under $10! Basically make the fun part about something other than it being a good bottle.</p> <p>3) Spend less time in shops. I'm sure this is much harder in NYC than in Montana (where I live!) but don't go shopping recreationally. Don't window shop. Don't use shopping for entertainment - only go when you need something or intentionally mean to purchase something.</p> <p>4) When all else fails - When I was unemployed this summer and my husband was studying for the bar, our motto was basically, "Don't buy anything ever." Frugality at it's simplest, lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-455248 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:04:49 +0000 Modern Daisy 455248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A good start is to set a daily budget for yourself. That will make you think twice before buying things that aren't necessities! </p> <p>Also, when you have to buy something - shop around first. Make sure you're getting the best deal. It takes more time, but you end up saving a lot of $! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-455179 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:41:47 +0000 Mrs.M57 455179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are frugal by necessity. I coupon, and weekly menu plan to cut down on groceries. We consignment shop and Craigslist most baby items and really never buy extra clothes or fun stuff for ourselves, unless necessary(ie new jeans when old ones are worn out). We budget our dining out, sometimes we can stretch it so that we can have 1 cheap meal per week, other months we save it for 1 nice meal. Or, we let my parents take us to dinner haha they offer, so why turn it down! I'm trying to be more conservative with utilities since I'm home more now, ie water usage and electricity usage, these are something I've never thought a lot about but try hard to now, just making sure to turn off lights I'm not using and unplug appliances not in use etc. As for cable/Internet that is our big splurge since we don't spend money to go out much. Still I try to keep an eye out for package deal promotions, and since we do not have a contract with cable, the plan can be switched at anytime to a better promotional package. I call almost monthly to check for deals! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-455177 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:41:39 +0000 daniellemybelle 455177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: I am definitely guilty of the same thing! I've found that naturally frugal people don't need a budget as much because they self-correct. I have been using Mint.com on the recommendation of some people here, and it's been really eye-opening to track our spending. We are completely out of control when it comes to our restaurant budget, or lack thereof I should say! I think you should try just tracking your spending with Mint for a month and I bet it will help you curb your spending. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-455001 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:47:15 +0000 yoursilverlining 455001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are not especially frugal, but we also live well within our means. One tip I try to live by regarding finances is that “you can’t have it all”. You can splurge in some categories, but not all of them – so you have to pick where you are going to splurge and where you are not and stick to that plan. </p> <p>We splurge on food and drinks. We still try to be reasonably frugal there, so we spent several months trying new wines under $8 to find the ones we liked best. We then only buy wine by the case because there is one liquor store that gives a 10% discount if you buy by the case. </p> <p>Clothing is a category I did not splurge on. I love to shop at thrift and consignment shops; which should be easy to do in NYC! </p> <p>Call your cell phone provider and see if they are any new plans which are comparable to you current plan but cheaper. Verizon just switched us to a new plan which is actually better than the old one we had and $30 cheaper a month.</p> <p>If you can cable shop, do so – we just switched providers because we moved and the new provider is almost $40 cheaper a month for the exact same cable/internet package. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454978 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:36:55 +0000 Mrsbells 454978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No more starbucks<br /> Cut out data plan from phone<br /> No netflix<br /> basic cable only<br /> No eating out<br /> No alcohol</p> <p>You would save a lot by doing this </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454976 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:35:21 +0000 honeybear 454976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to live way below my means. We still do, but the margin isn't nearly as great because of one thing: Time. We don't have as much of it to devote to money-saving tasks as we used to. I'm willing to pay more for some conveniences than I used to be, because my time is worth more (both economically because I'm more skilled and personally because I've got a LO) now. </p> <p>I'm not at all opposed to the idea of frugality, but I think it's easy to look at someone else's situation and feel bad about one's own choices, when the two situations are not really comparable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454903 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:49:37 +0000 Happygal 454903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think being frugal really is a mind set and a way of living. One of my most frugal friends was raised this way, so the idea of buying things full price, not using coupons, etc., is truly foreign to her. So as cheesy as it may sound, I think there needs to be a true mental commitment to frugality first before anything else. And defining exactly what it means to be frugal for you and your family, what that looks like, and so on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454902 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:49:23 +0000 heartonastring 454902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't consider myself overly frugal, but DH and I are very good at living within our means, putting money into our savings and aggressively paying off our mortgage....so I guess we have some part of the equation figured out?? I certainly don't feel especially frugal, particularly the week before Christmas!</p> <p>Anyhow, probably the single biggest money-saver for me, and I know some PPs have mentioned it as well, is meal-planning. On Saturday or Sunday of every week I plan all our meals for the week: breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. I do one big grocery shop for everything (and if there's one thing we don't skimp on it's food quality) and I only purchase what's on my list. I used to go to the store multiple times a week, and the little impulse purchases here and there definitely added up. </p> <p>I also eat all three meals/day at home, which definitely helps keeps costs down. We usually get take-out on Friday nights, but otherwise eat out very rarely. We're both foodies and prefer to cook for ourselves :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454892 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:39:12 +0000 blackbird 454892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, you are not alone. I am seriously bad about this, too. I don't consider myself frugal, either, for the most part. We don't eat out a lot (although we spend a ton at the grocery store on fresh produce and quality products), we take our lunches to work frequently, etc. I feel like as long as all the financial obligations are met, money goes into the savings, things are taken care of, etc, the rest can be spent and enjoyed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454884 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:30:20 +0000 Anagram 454884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not frugal at all (anymore), part as a reflex of being so poor when I was putting myself through college--haha. </p> <p>But seriously, I spend *so* much money at the Grocery store and at Target, and we're only two people. On WB once, I read a thread where people were talking about their monthly grocery budget, and many people were saying theirs was $200 or $400 or a high humber was $600 for a family of four. So I looked up OUR grocery bills for a month (my online banking page seperated everything I buy into categories for me) and ours was....$1000 for one month!</p> <p>That did not count eating out, btw. um...oops? And that wasn't a one-off. The month before we were $930 and the month after $1040. So we just suck.</p> <p>Now granted...at Target, we might be buying shampoo, wrinkle cream, the odd shirt, an electronic here or there. But definitely not every month!</p> <p>So we just suck in that department. I'd say my husband is more frugal that I am. He always checks online for coupons before making I purchase (I forget to do that a lot), and he's much happier using older, worn stuff for a long time, wheras I always want to buy a new one of whatever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454855 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 07:46:04 +0000 Andrea 454855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that once you stop spending it's easy to keep that up. I find that once I buy one thing it leads to another and then another. You can't break the seal! It's just like dieting. Cheat once and then it could all go downhill so just don't cheat that very first time. </p> <p>That's is my biggest tip as I'm not particularly frugal either but I can go a long time without buying anything unnecessary by doing this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454783 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 02:44:53 +0000 SugarplumsMom 454783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kinda. A few years ago when we first bought our house, we were extraordinarily frugal. I'm still frugal now, but LO is my excuse to spend a little on things like crafts and projects. Having said that, I don't impulse buy when we're out in town. All her toys, regardless of how cheap they were, were considered for length of usefulness, same with clothes.</p> <p>I think it's good to be able to spend a little on things you enjoy, but there should be a limit to it. It could be as simple as making a mental note of things you want and choosing one instead of another, or a few little things as opposed to one big thing or vice versa. The act of delaying a purchase will automatically trigger this 'balance' and in effect will eventually get you to be more choosy before buying something. You'll train yourself to eventually be even more choosy about the things you end up buying and you'd be surprised by how much you save.</p> <p>This is how I changed. But living in small town where no one flaunts name brand anything helps. It's also a little cultural here -- "lagom". It's a term without a English equivalent, it roughly means "in the middle" or "just right". But their "lagom" really means closer to what many cultures mean by "ample". It's their ideal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454748 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:12:23 +0000 HLK208 454748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't done this in awhile, but when I am trying to save money, I try day by day to not spend a dime other than bills. Once I went 13 days without spending anything--I really do want to be more frugal, at least for a month so we can save more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454745 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:05:20 +0000 StbHisMrs 454745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBee We just started using you need a budget, I haven't used it long enough to see a different but the reviews are fantastic!</p> <p>I can't bring myself to pay full price for clothing, that comes from working in retail for a few years! I 'm more frugal than my husband in some ways. YNAB is going to require both of us to account for each dollar spent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454737 Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:54:11 +0000 808love 454737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Make the most of free things I get or enjoy the things I already have. Make my life purposeful with activities, ideas, plans, goals and projects so I 'don't have time' to shop. Ignore the twinge of guilt when I say no to buy presents for others...booo. That's the worst part. I try to write them letters or tell them how I feel or spend quality time with them. Write nice thank you cards when I get things. Going out to eat once a week is our special event. Go to the library for books. LO has tons of handmedown but I put her in the same awesome outfits again and again...so wear the same thing often? As for me, I bought a bunch of leggings so I'm hoping to save money by mixing and matching with different looks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454730 Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:49:24 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 454730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: we also thrift a lot! It's my DH's and mine's idea for a date to go thrifting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-be-more-frugal#post-454728 Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:47:54 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 454728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably by moving! Haha I kid but really I would find it impossible to not overspend living in such an expensive place with so many options for shopping, etc. I say, figure out what is on sale first, then buy based on that. This works great with grocery shopping, gift buying, etc. Set a budget for all large-scale purchases. And try not to shop for fun! I usually only shop when I need something specific. Also eat all the groceries you buy. I waste a lot of money buying food I crave while other food goes to waste in my pantry. We usually eat in every night except Fridays. Recently we have been eating in on Fridays too, we just make a big pot of soup and have casual dinner on the couch. That makes it feel like less work! Plus leftovers! </p>