SUPERMARKET
- I shop sales at the supermarket.
- I also comparison shopped and discovered there’s a much cheaper supermarket just down the block. The produce isn’t very good, but I go there to stock up on grains and dry goods.
- I make a list before going and try to stick to it (unless there’s something on sale that I use often and can store, such as dishwasher detergent or pasta)

TRANSPORTATION & TRAVEL
- I live in NY, so I don’t have a car. I stopped taking taxis to the airport (I travel often) and instead pack lightly and take the subway. Saves me around $40 each way every time I travel.
- Instead of buying snacks and reading materials at the airport, I try to always pack my own — granola bars, box of crackers and editions of the New Yorker that have piled up because I don’t have enough time to read them thoroughly

FOOD
- I stopped buying expensive cheeses, except for a weekly dose of crumbled blue cheese for salads, and cut down on buying wine
- With very rare exceptions, I stopped buying breakfast at the bagel store and tea & snack in the afternoon. Instead I buy my own tea bags and use the hot water at the office. For breakfast I keep bread in the freezer and toast a piece or two in the morning with light cream cheese. I probably save over $4 daily on the “latte effect” alone — that’s $120/month, or around $1400/year.
- I’m trying to be better about eating at home more often (I have a full-time job but can also work from home). I still have lunch out about twice a week, dinner twice a week, and brunch once or twice. That’s not too bad for New York City, I think.

VANITY
- I found a hairdresser in my new, immigrant-heavy neighborhood who cuts my hair for $12 (including tip). That’s a far cry from the $45 I used to pay each time. I only go about 3-4 times a year and have never dyed my hair/
- I stopped buying fancy products (Aveda shampoo, Clinique makeup) and found substitutes at the local CVS. I’ll break the rule for essentials, such as mascara, but otherwise I’ve found that there are adequate substitutes for a third of the price.
- I’m trying (not so successfully) to buy fewer clothes, and to buy higher-quality items rather than quantity. I had a mixed experience buying on ebay so will probably not do much more of that.

CASH
- I sold a few items on eBay and put many of my books for sale on Half-com — I get a little pocket change every month and open up space on my shelves
- I increased the amount that I save monthly to $600 and have become much more systematic about transferring the amount from my checking account

* Vocational beauty colleges are a great way to get a professional cut/dye job at really low price. The downside is that it’s slow b/c it’s somebody who’s doing it under the guidance of a teacher. But we’re talking usually $15 for a haircut or $35 for dye job.

* Same for massage training programs. Again, slower b/c it’s a student and you won’t be in a fancy spa setting. But the basic service (minus fancy candles and bathrobes) is the same and costs a lot less.

* I don’t buy a book unless it’s something I’ll get a lot of use out of, like a travel guide. Otherwise you can find almost anything you need through your public library. If they don’t have it, ask if they have an interlibrary loan department. I think I’ve probably bought 5 books tops in the past year.

* Consignment/thrift store for all clothes. Unfortunately with the economy going into the toliet, you’re getting a lot more competition for good scores at your local thrift store. But you’ll also be surprised as the items people give away w/out ever really wearing them. Probably 80% of my wardrobe is thrifted and my jewelry is from estate sales. I always get compliments on my outfits and it feels great knowing that I did it w/out blowing a lot of money.

* This tip may not work anymore because of the cost of petroleum and the sad state of the airline industry, but frequent flier miles. My credit card is linked up to AAdvantage, so between that and travel on AA and Alaska, I had a nice line of miles for the past 5 years. It managed to get me two free RT tickets to Mexico and a free ticket to Brazil. These days I have about 10,000 miles left, so it’s paying for my subscription to the Economist.

* Eating out. Some people have called me a food snob, but I have no appetite for spending a lot of money for some overpriced/boring chain. My big love is Vietnamese food, which is cheap, healthy, and totally yummy. Probably the only places I ever eat out are small mom & pop ethic joints, like noodle houses or taquerias (sometimes taco trucks if there’s one in the neighborhood). I even got my afraid to try anything new mother hooked on pho and bun cha. Which taste is more yummy when you realize it’s never more than $8 for a take out order.

I’m sure that there are people out there who’d think that I was cheap or wearing gross clothes/eating gross food w/these habits. But I’ve managed to have a pretty good (note, not lavish) lifestyle because my goal is always figuring out how to get X without having to pay a (usually overinflated) price. The biggest thing I’m proud of is paying for almost all of my (prestigious) grad school through scholarships and multiple jobs. I had one small student loan and have it open at this point just so there’s an open line of credit on my account. Second biggest is that thanks to these habits, I have a very nice emergency fund set aside in a HSBC online account, accruing interest, and an equally large Roth IRA. So again, not a lavish lifestyle, but I’m not really missing out on anything and have managed to get a great education (and several nice trips abroad) within my means.

I buy nonperishables in bulk on sale;

reuse/recycle/redo…you get it;

thrift shops;

ebay/half.com;

cook and put leftovers in ziplock bags, flattened, for the freeezer;

keep a price book so I know who has the best prices at grocery stores;

shop yearround for holidays;

make appointments for doctor, dentist for yearly/maintanance visits so things don’t get out of hand;

rent books/cds/dvds from the library;

dye my own hair;

no haircuts, trim because it’s long;

cook at home and bring out when I’m working;

do all personal maintenance;

buy reading glasses at the drug store;

clean/maintain/repair all housewares;

write on used envelopes for notes and shopping lists;

I also am broke because of several operations and bouts of unemployment. I have a reprieve healthwise now and am grateful for my health and my marriage.
I couldn’t have done so much without my husband.

Best to you, M. Keep on keeping on.

I use our public library.
I don’t have cable or internet access at home, although I can tether to my Blackberry for access.
I carpool to work.
I use the bus as often as possible.
I ride my bicycle.
I walk.
I keep my 1985 Mercedes well tuned and in nearly perfect condition and only drive when necessary.
I have no debt other than my rapidly decreasing mortgage.
I fund my 401(k) to the maximum allowed.
I fund a Roth IRA.
I take well-planned vacations.
I spend many weekends at our family’s mountain house (a mini-vacation!)and am an avid hiker.
I also reuse baggies (much to my sweetheart’s chagrin…LOL!)
I Freecycle, passing good useable items onto others and often receive things I need.
I got my address removed from direct marketing lists, so I’m not tempted by mail-order catalogues.
I recycle as much as possible, and have cut my trash removal costs to the bare minimum.
I buy good quality clothing that lasts.
I care for my health by eating well, exercising, and getting a monthly massage. As a result, I haven’t had a cold or flu in over 8 years.
I buy quality furniture and appliances that last.
I successfully encouraged my neighbors to share gardening equipment and tools rather than everyone buying their own.
I carry high deductibles on my home and car insurance.
I am grateful for the abundance in my life; I have everything I need and am exceedingly happy.

All days are good days…some are better than others!

[...] I’m doing [...]

This has helped us a lot…. We haven’t perfected it yet but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

For those who choose “have” (believe me, I am guilty) the rule of thumb is the length of satisfaction and an improved focus on things important. If that $100 pen increases the amount of writing you do, GO FOR IT

What if you took some of the time and energy you put into saving money and cleverly documenting your efforts here, into MAKING money?

I’m afraid your frugality mindset is sending the wrong message to your subconscious and setting up a scarcity loop in your life.

There is so much money available it’s a shame to live in a country with such opportunities and spend so much time and effort on defense instead of offense.

My Aunt and Uncle had made their first million 30 years ago. I can’t say they deny themselves any basic necessities, but they suffer serious stress if they find out they just spent $1.84 per bottle of Gatorade when they could have gotten it for $1.69 at a different retailer or wholesaler.

They were questioned and warned by police a few years back while dumpster-diving. They were loading up the utility trailer with crap my Aunt figured she could profit on by having a yard sale.

Over the years they’ve lost friends because of their obsession with money, and their only daughter hasn’t spoken to them in nearly ten years because of it.

Frugality? Fine. Obsession? I sure as hell wouldn’t want to lose my kid over it.

Being frugal, for me, is freedom from financial burden as opposed to a restrictive life. And it also allows me to make occasional splurges totally guilt free because I know I don’t spend that much elsewhere.

My top list:

1. buy used cars and/or drive your car for as long as possible.
2. Use the library! Request stuff online and pick up when ready. Books, movies, books on tapes. It’s amazing!
3.Don’t go shopping for leisure. If you don’t see it you can’t desire it.
4. Don’t read catalogs, turn commercials to mute if watching TV (or don’t watch TV).
5. Shopping should only be done when you actually need something…and then try online to avoid being tempted by other things in the store.

Glad to have discovered your blog, M.

And of course I love the GRS blog here too!

Never ask a barber whether you need a shave.

Also, acupuncture isn’t scientifically proven. I’ve tried it myself and found it useless. I’d suggest people save their money for much-needed medical treatments, rather than blowing it on “altie” mumbo-jumbo. Oh, dear, was I “rude” again? Oh, well.

I’m debt free. I don’t have the things my friends have. Instead what I have is joy. Life is for living, one poster wrote. Yes, how true. And we American’s somehow have come to believe that living only occurs when money is passed over a counter.

When I was a wee one, I remember tingling with happiness as I watched clouds laying on my back, playing in streams with my arms stuck in mud as my fingers looked for crawdads. I remember spending hours raising butterflies from cocoons, drinking water from a hose and riding my bike as fast as I could. None of those things cost money and every one of them made me laugh and feel good.

If adults are having such a good time getting manicures, why do I never see happy people inside manicure shops?

I could go on. But, my point is that living an exciting happy life has nothing at all to do with spending money.

One of my most depressed friends lives on a trust fund. Every few weeks, he’ll fly to Australia, New Zealand, Italy. And every few weeks, he’ll tell me how life just isn’t what he thought it would be. Then he heads out to get a drink.

Smelling roses actually can be quite intoxicating.

Also look into acupuncture schools. Especially helpful, if you are without health insurance. Or would you like a little more attention than the usual 15 minutes at your GPs.

Rae

I am not offended by your comment. I do not agree with all of it and explained why in my previous response to you. Take care.

Commenters–

This post is old enough that I am canceling my subscription to this thread at this point and won’t be updated on any future comments (if there are any). I tried to respond to as many of you as possible and appreciate all who who added to the discussion and shared their lists and ideas.

Best,

M

One’s choice of food, like anything else one purchases, is a class marker. I used to live in Boston, which is easily the most class-obsessed city in the U.S. I can tell you that there are any number of people who buy only organics and shop only at pricey yuppeterias like Whole Paycheck, but who aren’t as particular about their health as they would like everyone else to think. There are plenty of organic foods that are high in sodium, fat, and sugar (desserts, snacks, cheeses, pickles, sodas, etc.).

These same people will also buy non-organic foods at stores with a certain social cachet, like Trader Joe’s. They will also eat in (certain) restaurants without a clue as to where the food might come from. Yet they will turn up their noses at mainstream brands.

Such people derive at least part of their identities from buying items whose marketers stroke their egos into believing they are “progressive,” “socially conscious” consumers. In reality, they would be doing more for both their health and the environment if they bought staples in bulk and cooked most of their meals at home.

I appreciate the first point in your comment because for some, moving somewhere cheaper is a very good solution to saving more and being more frugal.

I also want to add to your point, as there are some cases where I feel that approach may not be feasible or even beneficial.

First of all, affordable is a relative not absolute term. Each person must determine for himself or herself what is affordable.

Second, I’m sure you’re aware that many people are tied to certain parts of the country due to their careers. Moving to a new region can often mean switching to a new (and possibly much lower paying) field.

Switching to a new field can mean wasting one’s former education and experience. It can cost one much of their future income, since any seniority in position will usually be lost when starting in a new field. The cost in potential new training required for the new field as well as years potentially needed to gain experience for the new field, can be very costly and take years.

All of this is costly and the move, even if housing is ends up cheaper, may very often end up losing one money rather than the other way around.

Of course, besides just the cost of living with salary taken into account, there are many other factors that go into deciding where to live. Moving somewhere with cheap housing as the only reason for it tends to overlook all factors aside from current real estate prices.

For many people staying where they are, even if it’s in what’s considered a pricey area, pays off due to the many jobs in their field and higher salaries and other factors.

Additionally, many factors (such as access to certain medical care, nearness of family, one’s mobility issues, availability of top universities, good schools in the area, and much more), besides just housing costs, go into the decision of where to live. Money is not the only issue.

For those for whom housing costs are the only factor, choosing a home based on money alone (taking jobs, salaries, and other cost of living issues into account, of course) makes sense. But for me and I’d guess many, many others, many factors, including job availability, salary, quality of life and other issues go into these types of life decisions.

Since for me, living at the cheapest price possible no matter what the other costs is not a priority–and was never stated as such–I don’t have to worry about moving to Alabama or about changing my diet.

It would be absurd to only expect those in areas considered “affordable” to practice any degree of frugality and to expect that those in pricier cities might as well just spend, spend, spend! We can all benefit by being frugal in the areas where we are able to be and choose to be, no matter where we live. There is no all or nothing requirement on frugality, that says we must practice it in every area of our lives or no area at all.

We all make choices with our money and most of us spend on the things we value and spend less or not at all on the things we value least. If we value where we live, then we may save in other areas to be able to live there. Or, we simply may be able to live where we wish without having to sacrifice in other areas.

That doesn’t mean we can’t still make frugal decisions in the areas we want, just because we may not have to be frugal or just because we may spend more freely in some areas of our choosing.

Additionally, I’d venture to say unless someone has specifically told you their housing costs, you can’t have any idea how much they pay for housing. Many in the Bay Area live frugally, including when it comes to housing. That’s exactly what makes frugality so wonderful; it can often allow us to live comfortably even in some of the world’s most expensive areas.

In the Bay Area, there are plenty of people who don’t pay much for housing–for example perhaps because they bought small condos and saved a decent down payment, or because they bought more than a few years ago, or because they obtained their home through inheritance, or because they have several roommates, because they rent out part of their home to tenants, and because of many other reasons.

Just because someone lives here does not tell you one thing about how much they pay for housing. And even if some do pay a lot for housing and less on other things to compensate for the housing, that is a legitimate choice and valid trade-off, and only they have to live with the consequences of that decision.

In general there are many factors that go into people’s financial decisions. And many of the terms used here, such as frugal and affordable, are relative terms that one person cannot define for others anyway.

There is no one way that works or should work for all, but your suggestion is a good one for people who are looking to cut housing costs and have a lot of flexibility about where they live. Though I am not looking for help in that area, I’m sure many readers may be. So thanks for sharing.

As for your final point where you state: “If you can afford high-priced wilted greens and foo-foo frozen dinners at Whole Foods (a/k/a Whole Paycheck), you can look down your nose at those of us who aren’t too good to go to the local Market Basket or whatever and get Bird’s Eye frozen veggies” . . .

I’d venture to say that the one who calls other people’s food “foo-foo,” and “overrated;” who creates derogatory nicknames for where others shop; who depicts people he/she doesn’t know as paying high prices for “wilted” food and as thinking of themselves as “too good” compared to others is, in this case, the one turning their nose down at others, and not the other way around.

***And thanks to the many who shared productive, thoughtful comments to the discussion!***

It’s not always easy to pick up and move house, as moving costs money. But I would tend to agree with Annie that if you want to cut your costs, you move somewhere affordable.

Oh, and I also agree with Annie that organics are overrated. They’re a class marker; if you can afford high-priced wilted greens and foo-foo frozen dinners at Whole Foods (a/k/a Whole Paycheck), you can look down your nose at those of us who aren’t too good to go to the local Market Basket or whatever and get Bird’s Eye frozen veggies.