Penny-pinching

I guess I have learned to make penny-pinching a part of my life. I really look at as a contest/game between the world (retailer) and me. How much less than they want me to spend can I spend and still be happy?

Since I'm very competitive, the contest works for me. I also look at the high prices that goods I want are priced at regular prices rather than when they are on sale as helping the CEO buy a new mansion or a new servant.

There are some things I really like to do and some that are just a "so what". I don't buy the "So Whats" and spend my money on the WOW items. Getting my hair cut at Fantastic Sams is a So What. Going on a cruise is a WOW. My wife cuts my hair and we put the money in our cruise jar.

You can afford just about anything you want. You just cannot afford everything you want (Unless you are Bill Gates.).

Good luck to you and yours.

Totally hear you! How about looking for a groupon to get a great deal on a massage, wax or a pedi or something for yourself. You deserve it! You can get an hour massage for around $30 with a groupon. Sign up for the notices and when one pops up, just go for it!

I was in your exact same position about a year ago.

I am now an extreme couponer and I love it.

I am able to afford MORE items, of BETTER quality, and it gives me somethign FUN to do with my daughter.

The money I save doing this has allowed me to live comfortably as a SAHM and I still feel like I am contributing financially so its a win-win.

It is so easy to do and you can start it gradually. If you want more info message me and I can share with you some basics.

We penny pinch too!

I have found that by Super Couponing you can get free stuff! Every week I get something free with coupons.

I also found you can get things like waxing or mani/pedis done at local beauty schools for very cheap or sometimes free. I have also discovered that students who are being supervised by teachers for grades are even more careful and often do a better job than the "professionals!"

I figure, if I'm getting "free" deodorant by using coupons, I can spend $5 on something for myself now and then. And I also get treats from the dollar section for my daughter when I can.

You gotta MAKE penny pinching fun! Good luck with work!

Do the mani/pedi!

Get out all the little toe seperater thingys, your favorite color and a towel and have husband do them tonight. :)

I'm in the same situation.
While it was hard to get used to at first, now I view it as a game.

-I check books out from the library.
-Paint my own toenails now (no more pedis) :(
-no more massages
-I go places w/my child where I am not tempted to spend any $: park, library w/child for reading time
-my big splurge is to rent a movie for $1 from Redbox
-my indulgence: the internet for email, mamapedia etc
-I do not buy clothes for myself unless it is absolutely imperative. Then it's the clearance rack @ Wal-mart for shorts, tees or capris. Thrift stores if necessary.
-we walk around the outdoor mall for entertainment or the indoor mall when it rains
-we frequent all the diff parks in the area
-hv no cost get togethers w/girlfriends & their kids at their house or mine
-beach whenever we can
-pack a lunch to have in the park
-hv picnics in the backyard
-play games indoors or out (get creative. play ball, hide & go seek, "fishing", board games, play w/toys, ride bikes/scooters, get together w/another mom & take our kids for a walk (they scoot or bike so we can talk)
-visit grandparents
-make your treat for yourself smthg less expensie than waxing/mani/pedi right now
-clip coupons or I have found just buying the cheapest off-brand generic is better
Hang in there & congrats on your online study completion!

If you can afford to set a little a side to treat yourself go for it. I have always wanted to get a mani/pedi but anytime we have a little extra something comes up. I know you are penny pinching but maybe there are a couple areas that you can cut back on that you don't even relize then you can use the money you saved to get yourself that treat. I know alot of people considered things basics that really aren't. Maybe there is a way you can cut back on groceries? You can get basics at the grocery store like bags of rice, dried beans, frozen family size bags of fish and not spend a whole lot.

We've gone through some financial adjustments too and I have to say, it really makes you get creative on how you spend your time but after the initial pain, it becomes the new normal and life seems a lot more fulfilling.

As a consumer society, we are surrounding by activities that encourage spending. It makes things tough. But with some time you start to get enjoyment from how much you save vs. how much you spend.

There are a lot of family things to do (library, parks, beaches etc) but it's when you're on your own, like you mentioned, is when it's harder. Maybe grab a girlfriend/relative who can support you and so you can just go excercise, grab a cheap coffee or bring some trashy magazines to the beach or local pool. Like someone else mentioned, hit up the beauty schools for cheap "spa" treatments.

Maybe this will be an experiment for you to "indulge" in something more fulfilling to do with your alone time besides spend. Maybe even yoga (buy/rent a dvd), meditation, journaling, gardening, drawing/painting, swimming, mentoring, charity work etc.

If nothing else, just saw a study showing that 100% of the time people feel HAPPIER when they spend money on someone else vs. themselves... so maybe spend on others instead of yourself to see if it can help you feel better about being frugal. :)

It's mind over matter, baby - you can do it!

Now that it is nice, try being outside as much as possible in places that you can't spend any money. Try to treat yourself to something small once or twice a week like an iced cofffee from Dunkin or a gourmet cupcake or anything that makes you feel a little special. Lucky for me, I think manis and pedis are a waste of money and I just wax at home. Come bikini season, there is no choice on that one!!

You are trying to pay just the basics and I have definately been there. But, just like dieting, it can lead to a binge. You deprive yourself for so long that you might just hit a breaking point and go spend crazy.

Or worse, negatively affect your health with so much stress! You're looking so hard at the price of things. Don't forget to put a price on your time, well being, physical and mental health. It's ok to budget for stress busters. Get the mani-pedi. It will make you a more productive, serene mom. You know what they say about all work and no play. It makes for a stressed out, colorless existance.