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

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.

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.

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

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