Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Frugality Can Be Fun!

I, Sally Anne, am a frugal frog.


 Chase always makes fun of my extreme bargain-seeking ways and desire to sell anything and everything of value. After the Eliot Spitzer debacle of 2008, I called my mom cursing her for instilling values and a stalwart moral compass within me because boy, do those high-priced escorts make bank. Of course, I was kidding...for the most part ;) 


This morning Chase and I began our Labor Day by playing one of our favorite games: “House Hunters.” It is completely based off the fantastic HGTV show. {Word of caution: If you do not like this show, we probably cannot be friends...IT IS THE BEST} If you have not seen it, please click HERE right now. 



The way the game works is that Chase finds a dozen of listings that include in-depth pictures of each home and we narrow down the decision to three specific houses. Then we each select our favorite to see if we have the same taste. Sometimes we choose utterly random locations and completely extravagant price ranges. However, this morning we played House Hunters: Real World Edition, where we “stopped being polite... and start getting real.” We selected three homes in Bethesda, MD (where we will most likely be living in 9 months) and we searched in our price range.

I am completely and utterly terrified by home-ownership. We have lived in three cities and three apartments in our four years of marriage. I appreciate the glorious fact that when something breaks, it is not my problem. I love not having to mow a lawn. But it would be nice to have painted walls and non-generic lighting and fixtures. 

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This morning was a real eye-opener for me. I realized that it is time to put on my big-girl panties and face my fear. While we initially thought of renting for 6-12 months and then buying, today we came to the conclusion that Chase’s first year as a resident is not going to be the ideal time to search for and buy a house, since he will have ZERO time. I also have no interest in buying our first house without him with me. This is kinda a big deal. Not to mention that I have always been a big believer in the “Go big, or go home” philosophy. 


In light of this new turn of events, we have decided to get serious about socking away more $crilla for our “house fund.” Enter a new series of PaleoRunnerGirl which will be “Frugal Frog Friday’s.” Our goal is to cut back on discretionary spending, such as going out to dinner, going to see movies or concerts, and fluff shopping (i.e. my addiction to shoes and everything in Banana Republic). To keep me accountable, and have a little fun with this, I plan to share our weekend plans with the blogosphere. Hopefully, this will encourage us to think outside the box for weekend entertainment. I will also let you know any other little tips/tricks or changes we have made to increase cash flow. (I may or may not have signed up to by a mystery shopper...I. Am. So. Stoked.) 

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I figure that anyone and everyone likes to find out ways to save money, so I hope you all will enjoy reading along as we embark upon this adventure to find the fun in frugality.

Are you a bargain-shopping, frugal frog like myself? What are ways you like to save money?

12 comments:

  1. I love the Frugal Friday idea! Coming from one full-time employee/part-time student, I could definitely use some tips. Can't wait :)

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  2. Yay! I am glad you are excited! I am strangely thrilled about finding creative ways to save money and still have fun!

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  3. I bet I can beat just about anybody in this country in frugality by normal standards:) My husband, who thought he is oh, so good, doesn't stop complaining - or feeling guilty while buying a cup of tea. I do have to behave since I married him...and try to meet in the middle:) As for House Hunters - the most favorite show, indeed!
    p.s. read GetRichSlowly and TheSimpleDollar (and about a dozen other PF blogs) for ideas.

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  4. I tend to be a frugal frog as well (love that saying by the way) and am super excited for this!!

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  5. What's a mystery shopper?! Sounds interesting.
    Lately my spending has been out of control (unfortunately a lot of it was car issues) but I also just booked a vacation that was quite expensive. So I could definetely use all the pointers you have!

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  6. A mystery shopper is some one who secretly evaluates a store. It is like a food critic of shopping. I am always willing to get paid to shop! :)

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  7. I am mega cheap, lol. Since I don't work (stay home with kiddos) we have gotten very creative with our budget and finances.

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  8. I can't wait to follow along and see the ideas you come up with! :o)

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  9. I'm so cheap as well! But I have such an OCD personality I get a real kick out of it... unlike my husband who does thinks like buy super expensive ale at the pub and then -as we are passing through Kings Cross station - try to suggest we hop on the eurostar to paris. Sounds romantic but jeez!! Cant wait to hear about yoru plans!xx

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  10. Kudos on the Frugal Frog idea and saving for a house! One of my all time favorite shows is House Hunters on HGTV and I must be a voyeur at heart because I go online real estate sites for decorating ideas in very expensive homes for sale with photos. I love to bargain shop in consignment stores for clothes and furniture and rarely buy anything before checking to see if I can find it on Overstock.com first. New light fixtures, and faucet for kitchen remodeling project came from there. Also, I am so happy to mix one or two expensive items in an outfit (shoes or bag, leather gloves, etc.) with very inexpensive basics (t-shirts, pants, sweaters) from the big box stores. Another idea I learned from a smart woman was to purchase a ream or half-ream of white shelf or wrapping paper and make it a signature wrap for all gifts for all occasions, adding different kinds/color of ribbons or natural elements to dress up a package, saving lots in fancy gift bags and wrapping paper. One of the grocery chains here offers 18 roses for $10; for that, I splurge with fresh roses weekly. Choose one thing that adds quality to your life and do not compromise to give yourself that feeling of luxury while practicing frugality.

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  11. Given the amount of down time I have at work (and subscriptions to two local papers), I've become a bit of a couponer. I'm not TV show crazy about it, but on an average day I save a few bucks, on a good day I save more than I spend, and on one particularly great day I spent about $20 on $120 worth of stuff (mostly toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc since the food coupons are usually for junk).

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