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My Frugal Life: If In Doubt, Don't!

November 23, 2011

I have been working since I was 15 years old and I am now 51. Knowing how to stretch a dollar is a lesson I learned early. My older sister was a seamstress and she taught me how to sew. For years, I made my own clothes because I could not justify spending money on an outfit I knew I could make for a fraction of the cost. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case, but it served me well for most of my life.

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My mother taught me the advantages of buying in bulk well before the big box super-saver stores came into existence. My Dad taught me to earn my way and not ask for handouts. These lessons I pass onto my children.

I try never to make an impulse purchase, even if the salesperson tells me that the deal will "go away" if I don't make a decision. Believe me, the deal will not "go away" if it is truly a deal. My mantra is: "If in doubt, don't". Weighing the pros and cons is not doubt, it is just common sense. Money and emotions are not good bed partners. Give yourself at least 24 hours before committing to a decision involving money.

Cars are a means to get from point A to point B. Except for 1 major brain fart in which my hubby and I purchased a brand new Camaro when we first married, we always have bought program cars from a dealer or used cars from a friend-small car lot dealer. Image based on a vehicle was not our priority. Our oldest daughter begged to differ. Her first car was bought by us and it was a Dodge K car (a very boxy, non-descript mid size vehicle). You would have thought she would have been happier driving a Ford Pinto with a big plastic chicken on top of it rather than the K-car.

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I have no problem buying clothes from Goodwill, yard sales, or accepting hand-me-downs. I shop at department stores and get great deals on off-season clothing. My shoes come from Payless or K-Mart. I dye my own hair, make my own gift cards, cook meals at home, and thank the Lord every day for a husband who can fix virtually anything.

My kids think I am cheap. That is o.k. Someday, when they have children of their own, they will remember the lessons of how they were brought up and I am willing to bet that they will incorporate "thrift" into their lives, too.

By Scout from Tennessee

Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml

Comment Was this helpful? 6

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March 26, 20130 found this helpful

Having a husband who can fix almost anything is a HUGE gift! You are a lucky gal. Cooking meals at home is also so much better for your health.

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Sounds like you are doing all the right things -- don't let anyone call you cheap!

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