Debt Free and still saving...

Scott and I have worked for years to become debt free, and when we finally reached our goal, it was such a good feeling, so satisfying that our hard work had paid off. When we began reading The Simple Dollar blog, there were all sorts of ideas to help us on our road to financial freedom.
Recently, the blog had a post called: The Big Trade Off. Reading how they sacrificed so many things to have what they really wanted, made me feel encouraged to keep budgeting, spending less, and making good financial choices. Yes, we are debt free, but you can't just stop there and think everything is going to be fine. We still have a mortgage, and we know how important it is to have an emergency fund, so we are still saving. We are going to keep saving until complete all 7 baby steps in the Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. We are almost done with Step 3. It takes some work, and lots of reminders that, "We don't really need that" or "What is a higher priority?" Thinking ahead to where our money does go, and being frugal. It is tough, but it will be worth it. It is even more tough because we have a family of 5 living on one income. Will talk more about that one later...

Being Frugal

Frugality is the quality of being frugal, sparing, thrifty, prudent or economical in the use of consumable resources such as food, time or money, and avoiding waste, lavishness or extravagance
Frugal living is practiced by those who aim to cut expenses, have more money, and get the most they possibly can from their money..from Wikipedia.

The women of the Great Depression in the 1930's knew frugality. 

One of their battle cries was: 

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"

We have much to learn in our society about being frugal. 

Scott says... " I am not cheap, I am frugal", 

and often will make a game out of how much we can save. 

Because of this wonderful trait, we are able to stay debt free (minus the mortgage).

If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.

Dave Ramsey

Here are a few things we do to stay frugal:

• Use the library. We rarely buy books. The library has everything.
• Eat Out Less. We only eat out on special occasions.
• Pay bills online. No stamps and no late fees.
• Make your own cleaners. We made our own laundry detergent for a year. It was fun!
• Use a monthly spending plan. We discuss our budget together, and Scott emails me an ongoing report of how much we are spending during the month.
• Use public transportation or carpool. We are a one van family.
• Make your own snacks. 
• Review your cell phone, telephone, cable and internet plans. We use a pay as you go plan for our cell phones, since we only use them for emergencies. We do not have cable.
• Cut your own hair. Scott cuts his (and the boys) hair.
• Meal plan. We save so much by planning out what we will eat each week.
• Bring your own bags when grocery shopping. I made a few cloth bags for this purpose.Not only are you saving a few cents each time, but you are helping the environment.

Need more ideas: 168 tips to make your dollar stretch

Now a lot of individuals may look at this list, and think ....whoa, they never have any fun.
Who wants to be frugal, when you can't do anything, or go anywhere?

Actually, we can afford to do the things we want, because we are frugal.

When you are not strapped with debt, it is much easier to save.

Check out frugalfun.com for some interesting insights to frugality.