Frugality or lack there of.......

One of the things I wanted to do when I started this blog was help everyone save money by telling them what I do to save money. However for one reason or another that seems to have fallen by the wayside. Not sure why could be lack of time, or even lack of interest on my part? I was just reading a post over at Notes from the Frugal Trenches and a lot of what she said hit home.

I have all these ideas about wanting to live simply, but actually getting around to doing it is another thing. We have got used to our comfort zone. We live in a new house with our attached double garage, our walk in closets and large ensuite. All new windows and doors all the modern comforts but honestly we use only half the house. So what is stopping us from down sizing and living more simply? If I knew the answer I suppose we would have done it by now.

I have become accustomed also to handing over my credit card at every opportunity, that too has to stop. We're lucky we can afford to pay the balance off every month. But when I think back to what we bought, were they all needs or just plain wants. I think 75% of them are the wants. Its got to stop, I just have been lax in my way of thinking. All that money would be better put into our savings account......

I have to start living the frugal life style. I know I can do it, people are always making fun of me about my use of coupons. I do try and scope good deals out on things I buy, but I know I can do better.

There are still things I do automatically without thinking, like hanging my laundry out to dry. I very rarely put it in the dryer. We still have the heating turned off, mind you a lot of that has to do with the weather being a lot warmer than normal and me being permanently hot (remember I am a woman of a certain age!!) I use the toaster oven rather than the main oven when ever possible. I reuse my grocery bags as garbage bags (we're allowed to do that). I have a veggie garden albeit not that big, but every bit helps.

I always check the flyers for the sale items and stock up on them. I bought 8 tubs of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter last week. The woman in front of me remarked at how many I was buying. As I said to her, they go on sale every couple of months or so. We use one tub a week, so these eight tubs should in theory last me until the next time they come on sale. And I would rather pay 99 cents a tub than $1.99, she agreed with my way of thinking.

I always wash out my ziploc baggies and reuse my aluminum foil. I even add water to what I think is my empty shower gel, to get a few more washes out of it, but am I doing enough? I don't think so.

I know there is so much more I could do, and I know you all probably do a lot more than me, so any tips on what you do to save a dollar or two would be greatly appreciated. Now to go and read my Tightwad Tips books again to get me motivated.