Becoming Frugal
A few years ago I was fresh out of college, living at home, good job, a few bills, and PLENTY of cash. My girlfriend at the time, now my wife, and I were living the good life. We would go out to eat 3-5 times a week, I would buy lunch everyday at work, I bought a nice new car, would buy video games and other “toys” that I wanted when I wanted (within reason), and did not worry too much about money.
That has all changed now.
We have a new house, a new baby, LOTS of bills, and everything that comes with being independent (you all know this). Granted we are not living paycheck to paycheck, but with the purchase of our new house we have ZERO extra dollars. We might eat out 1 time every two weeks at places like Subway rather then the nice dinners at Outback like we used to have. I pack lunch and have not bought a “toy” for almost 6 months, and we are always thinking about money.
Am I complaining about this new lifestyle? Not at all. It’s what has to be done and it really is not that bad. There are other new things to fill in the time of “toys” and dinners, like spending time with my daughter.
If any of you knew me pre-kid, pre-marriage you will know this is a big change for me, but I’m working on it everyday.
Consider me a reformed spender.
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paul(mytwodaddies) Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:44 am
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Kevin W. Grossman Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:53 am
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PJ Mullen Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:02 am
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Daddy Files Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:09 am
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Jason Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:17 am
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Mocha Dad Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:41 am
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MileHighDad Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:00 am
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BellaDaddy Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:16 am
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Isabella Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:43 am
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New-Dad-Blog Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
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ciara Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
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Lauren Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
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Otter Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
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weaselmomma Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
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21stCenturyMan Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:23 pm
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ShankRabbit Says:
April 4th, 2009 at 9:23 am
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Rob Says:
April 10th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
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Out-Numbered Says:
April 12th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Times are tough and we have to change our spending habits…
Way to go for hanging in there and adjusting to the hard hit economy.
We may not be able to spend like we did when we were younger…but it will get better.
Take care
You don’t have to tell me twice! The taqueria is where it’s at for us now. We have started date night again now that Bea’s six months old, so we’re splurging a little bit.
I feel your pain. I was addicted to itunes, but that is no longer an option. My discretionary money is now spoken for, it is absolutely crazy. However, like you, I’m sure you wouldn’t trade what you have now for anything else in the world. It was a big change for me, but the trade off is totally worth it.
I hear ya. I was an IDIOT with my money when I was single and I thought nothing of eating out all the time and taking a redeye trip to the casino. With a wife and a 1-year-old, all that’s changed and now I’m a coupon-clipping ninny.
But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
We made our adjustments 7 years ago so by now these things are the norm. We had a small adjustment 2 years ago when I started staying at home but it wasn’t too hard as most of our expenses were due to childcare and other things that my being at home eliminated. It gets easier I promise. It’s rough but in time you’ll adjust.
Living within your means makes it much easier to sleep at night.
Toys still happen you just regress!
Time is the one thing we can never get back….you are right on the mark here…time with your child is worth more than anything…regardless of our adult situations…;-)
Kudos!
I can totally relate to this post!
Before our daughter was born, we were the same way - dining out a lot, buying expensive toys, etc. Now that she’s here (and I stay home to take care of her), we’ve forgotten what it’s like to eat in a restaurant. LOL
However, this change in lifestyle has made me appreciate what we have so much more…and I love it!
Happy FF!
Dude, I was the same way! I would spend like $200 at best buy and not even blink. I was livingin an apartment and getting huge commisson checks from work.
Now the checks aren’t so big, I own a house and I spend money on diapers.
Funny how it all changes so fast!
i don’t know what it’s like to be able to buy whatever you want. i’ve always had to live on the cheap side. hehe we are a one income house and here in california, you know that’s hard! lol i am trying to be as frugal as i can get. our tax is going up a whole percent from 8.75 to 9.75. like we aren’t broke enough already *sigh*
I think the one thing I miss the most isn’t so much the going out - it’s the time to myself without worrying if one of the kids is going to wake up.
My husband and I realized the other day we haven’t seen a movie in a theatre in over three years. Sad, huh?
I wrote a post very similar to this on FF a month or so ago. It is better to live like you are with a family then to spend freely alone.
Parenthood and all that comes with it changes everything.
Happy FF! I have noticed that my kids are happy as long as I spend time with them. They love renting a movie, eating dinner in and hanging out with Dad.
It’s funny how easily having a child can change you. Imaging adapting to this lifestyle without the kid? (Wouldn’t happen. lol)
I remember those days of being single with lots of money… and I also remember times where I would just go spend money to try and make myself happy. It worked for about a day and then the happiness was over.
Now when I come home, I may be broke, but I have the most beautiful 11 month old smiling and freaking out when she sees me walking through that door.
And that’s happiness that no money and no toy could ever bring.
It is tough time. We do not eat out like we use to but that is ok we have nice family dinners. If you get a chance check me out at http://www.pbandsmellysdad.com/
Happy FF!!!
You hit the nail on the head. It seems the more money I make, the less I have to spend. Having two Daughters certainly doesn’t help either. It all works out though. Sounds like you’re being smart about it all…