[erinellakal]

Here is a list of great ways to cut back with out sacrificing.

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-bud...ut-Sacrificing

[Lannom]

Learnining to agreesivly coupon helps too !

[MamaWrites]

I think a big part of cutting back is not worrying about keeping up with the neighbors and needing the latest stuff to live. I feel so blessed by what we have and the choices we have made.

[azgirl]

Originally Posted by MamaWrites

I think a big part of cutting back is not worrying about keeping up with the neighbors and needing the latest stuff to live. I feel so blessed by what we have and the choices we have made.

This is so true. My neighbors and friends think I'm crazy that I only have a couple of good pairs of jeans, a couple of pairs of shoes, and very basic T's. I thrift shop all the time, coupon like crazy (usually save on average 60% on my grocery bill). My husband and I only own one car and we carpool. I could care less about the material things and they just think I'm crazy or poor and feel sorry for me. We could easily afford all these things but I just choose not to waste my money. Not having the stress of debt is priceless to me, couldn't be happier! Sometimes I seriously think that if I won the lottery, I would still live frugally and probably donate the majority of it.

[etali]

Nice tips. I think the most important 'frugal' thing is to, as someone else said, not want to keep up with everyone. Many of my friends spend fortunes on stuff they don't care about - just because all their other friends have that thing - be it sports gear, a new car, or whatever. I just by what I want, for ME, and ignore the other stuff.

They ask 'So how could you afford XYZ (usually something that costs about $40)?' - and I explain 'Well, I don't have to pay off a catalogue like you do for those new trainers....'