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My Frugal Life: Pay As You Go


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Competition is a good thing and has its place, but not when it affects the family budget. My Frugal LifeIt seems that so many young people living in this fast paced world are getting in debt way over their heads because they want it right now or just because they feel they have to keep up appearances for their friends. The "keeping up with the Joneses" syndrome is a one way path to the poor house.

Credit cards are free for the asking, one doesn't even have to have a good credit history anymore. If you can sign your name, you can have as many credit cards as you want. Not to worry when they get filled up, there will be another one in the mail just waiting for a signature. Creditors are tickled if you don't pay them off, in fact they like it better if you don't they love getting that outrageous interest.

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When this way of thinking came about, it was a sad day. I, for one, am glad it wasn't the norm when my husband and I got married. If it was, we were fortunate enough not to have been sucked into it. If we wanted something, we saved until we could pay cash for it. Obviously we did not live in a brand new home, drive a new car, or even have two used cars.

My husband had been riding to work with a fellow worker and split the gas before we married and planned to continue that plan so I would have our car. I was not working but stocking our cupboards and putting our 8 x 35 foot trailer together. As soon as I got things under control, I planned on looking for work so I would need a car. As fate would have it our car broke down on the way home from our wedding; we couldn't afford to buy another one right away, but luckily my parents could loan us one.

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Not being used to being alone all day, my dear husband took pity on me and decided we could look into putting a TV on payments. This was a huge decision to us. A Sears TV that cost $150. We went to the store and looked at them, thinking the whole time "Is this smart thing to do?" We decided to see if we would qualify for their payment plan, filled out the papers, and were told to come back. I was so nervous I couldn't go in the store with him the next day. He went in, came back out in just a short time looking very downtrodden. He got in and pulled out, no TV! The tears were threatening as I said, "They wouldn't let us get it, would they?" Then he took a turn into the alley behind the store, turned to me, and asked if I want to go in and tell them we are ready to pick it up!

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That and a $60 recliner were the only new large ticket items we had for the first 20 years of our married life. I recovered used furniture, we lived in older trailer houses with built-in dressers, and were as happy as "the Joneses".

We have always been rich in all the ways that count. We had each other to count on and we laughed when we had to live on peanut butter and eggs for two weeks. Now 43 years later we are still married and live comfortably. We are not rich monetarily, but have countless riches in memories and don't owe money to anyone.

If only the "Joneses" knew about the "pay as you go" plan our country wouldn't be living in debt.

By latrtatr from Loup City, NE

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 519 Posts
February 17, 20110 found this helpful

My husband & I have lovely used furniture & that allows us to buy musical instruments!

 

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February 20, 20110 found this helpful

So generous of you to share your heartwarming saga.

 

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February 20, 20110 found this helpful

I love to read that there are others out here that are like my self and Glenn - we do not have alot either and pay as we go or save up for the item wanted - we still have each other and that is what counts the most in our book!

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Thanks for sharing!

 
February 21, 20110 found this helpful

What a great story latrtatr! If only people would listen and young people would start out this way, this country wouldn't be in the financial mess it's in!

 
February 21, 20110 found this helpful

I am the same way my husband and I had credit cards and a lot of debt for a long time when we first got married but after finally managing to clear that all out we decided we were only paying cash. That's it. No cash, no get! we have been doing this for the last 15 yrs and it works. I also am very creative and make things paint furniture and treasure hunt my home is decorated beautifully and I don't really care if anyone knows it is all from the thrift store or a curb shop and repurposed.

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I think I am the smart one. Someone will say to me, I got this or that for like x amount and I will say wanna really be impressed gimmie that money and see what I can do with it! You will be blown away same with my kids they wear all the brand name clothing but I don't pay brand name prices. I shop those stores when it is on sale before Christmas and stock up and most of it I find in the thrift stores. You would be amazed at the Aero and Hollister clothing and Abercrombie you find in there for under 4 bucks. I am very thrifty. Many times I head to the thrift store before anywhere else. People are so busy trying to keep up with the Jonses, for what? Not worth the stress and living up to your eye balls in debt!

 

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February 23, 20110 found this helpful

Love the pay as you go motto. If only we could all live by this.

 

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