This is a mis-matched pair of socks.
Duh.
I originally owned a white pair and a black pair. They were lovely and cushy and I got them for free after a rebate back in the day when I managed to make it out to Rite-Aid to score deals.
One of the white socks sprung a hole, though, and so did one of the black ones.
So, I started wearing the non-holey socks as a mis-matched pair. Unfortunately, the remaining socks began to wear holes this past winter.
They’re still cushy socks, though, and they’re one of the few pairs I happen to own that aren’t ankle socks, so they are nice and warm.
Enter a pair of ankle socks from Aldi.
To keep myself toasty warm in the colder months, I put on the Aldi socks first and then layer the mismatched cushy pair on top.
This is the sort of nitty-gritty frugality that simultaneously makes Amy Dacyzyn smile and the rest of the population groan and roll their eyes.
The interesting thing about this is that the person that’s wearing these uber-frugal socks is also the person who plunked down $1600 for a camera.
I make my own bread, I refashion old clothes, I shop at Goodwill, I live (mostly) without a cell phone, and I use broken things until Mr. FG insists I stop.
But I also go on vacation every year.
What gives?
Well, I think that frugality is not so much about savingeverysinglepossiblepenny and more about saving money on things that don’t matter so that you can spend it on things that do matter.
(assuming that a person isn’t in a poverty state…in that case, frugality is about surviving)
If I spent big bucks on groceries, clothing, a cell phone bill, and I bought new items all the time, I wouldn’t have enough money to buy a camera or to go on vacation.
I personally would rather have a vacation once or twice a year instead of a cell phone and regular takeout meals.
And I’d rather cobble together a pair of socks than go without a camera.
That’s what mindful spending looks like for me. If you spend your money mindfully, your budget will probably look different than mine. Maybe you’d prefer to buy clothes instead of a camera. Or maybe you’d rather get takeout frequently than go on a yearly vacation.
So, I’m not going to encourage you to save up for a camera unless you want one. And I’m not going to insist that your mental health requires a vacation. What I do want is to urge you to take stock of your spending and make sure that your money is going where you really want it to go.
If you’re wanting to use your money for something but haven’t managed it yet, see if there’s a place in your budget that could stand some trimming. If you can cut your spending in a place where it doesn’t much hurt (apparently for me that’s my sock budget), maybe you can free up some cash for something you really, really do want.
______________________________
Do you scrimp and pinch in one area and splurge in another? Inquiring minds (mine!) want to know.
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Today’s 365 post: Tackling the mending pile
Joshua’s 365 post: A Funny Flyer
Kimberly says
Great, practical post! I can totally relate. For example, I would never wear in public what I wear while exercising on my stairmaster (an industrial one that was given to me!). I usually wear old, cruddy tops and funky shorts. But, I do wear $100 New Balance shoes… That’s because, as a physical therapist, shoe fit is very important…
8)
WilliamB says
Well-fitting shoes are *not* a splurge. They are as necessary and smart as eating healthy food.
I exercise in my $85 running shoes with $35 SmartFoot inserts, with a foot encased in $2/pair cotton socks that I mend – yes, folks, MEND – when they get holes.
Sarah G. says
This post rings absolutely true with us. Sometimes I wonder what people think of our lopsided spending. We don’t have a TV, we have super-cheap cellular plans, we shop at Goodwill, we buy just about everything used, we drive small, fuel-efficient cars, we bought a cute, bank-owned house because of the low price.
BUT on the flip side, I am an animal lover, so we proudly own two housecats and feed them top of the line food (this also helps us avoid vet bills from health problems in their later years). We spent $1000 on my armoire so that it would last for generations, and to support a local Amish furniture maker. And we take a vacation every single year, because we can’t imagine never going any place far away. And our budget loves us!! And we are happy and content! I try to explain to people that we give up what we don’t care about in order to afford the things that are important to us. They still just look at us like we’re aliens. ;-P
Kristen says
That reminds me of how Amy Dacyzyn had dogs even though she obsessed over a $0.10 price change in the price of tuna cans. Everyone’s priorities are different and it sounds like you’ve done an excellent job of identifying the things that matter and that don’t matter to you.
April says
Love this post, Kristen!
laurie says
oh a woman after my own heart.We are a rare breed you and I,, I feel the very same way and its the way I live my life,,We have our priorities and they just are a little different from others.Put your money where it counts the most and spending big bucks on a camera is such a great thing to do,, the hours of enjoyment far surpass the enjoyment one would get from a outfit that wears out or goes out of date, or the next big fashion statement in home furnishings.I’m with you!
Kristen says
If someone really, really loves that thing that makes the next big fashion statement in home furnishings, though, I have no problem with them scrimping on a camera or going without a vacation in order to afford it.
It’s all about making sure your money is going into things that are really meaningful and important to you, you know? For someone who hates taking pictures, a $1600 camera would be a colossal waste of money, just like a $1600 piece of fancy modern art would be a waste for me.
It’s sort of like what I was saying about managing time in a previous post…it’s good to make sure we’re not wasting it on stuff that’s not important to us and to make sure we ARE spending it on stuff that is important to us.
Sarah says
This is an excellent reminder. And I needed the reminder. Thank you, Frugal Girl.
Splurges: good running shoes and socks, skin care (I do get a discount on my Mary Kay products, but it’s still expensive), fresh fruit and veggies no matter the season, cheeses (my husband dearly loves to try new cheeses), fixing up the house (we bought a fixer-upper 6 years ago and enjoy fixing it up when we can).
Scrimps: clothes and haircuts (until I start to go gray, than coloring my hiar may move to the splurge category), meats (no expensive meats like $7.99+ lb steaks), most any other type of food (we just don’t buy convenience type foods).
WilliamB says
Sarah – a vote from me against good shoes as a splurge. To me a “splurge” is an indulgence, something we want but could do without. Assuming good = well-fitting and suited to your foot and gait, good shoes are no more a splurge than getting an annual physical.
Lori says
I too love this post. I have 3 pair of toasty warm knee high socks. I bought them at Wal Mart about 3 years ago. I think I paid 5 dollars for all 3 pair. I wear them every day in the colder months and they have started springing leaks this past winter. I got my light bulb and darning thread and needle out and repaired them. They are actually very cute and country looking. I have even had questions about where did I order them from. LOL I am so thankful that my mother taught me this and that I actually paid attention =P I do things like this so we can become debt free much sooner then planned and also be of help to anyone who needs it.
The Mrs says
This is it EXACTLY. Well said, Kristen – as usual.
Frugality (or cheapskatery. Heh, heh.) looks different depending on who’s wearing it. I might look completely crazy to people because I moan about my grocery bill, but eating really well is important to our family – so yes, we could spend less money very easily, but that doesn’t fit with our goals.
Now a vacation…that’s a someday that I eagerly await.
The Mrs says
Urgh. My comment deleted itself. Maybe the comment issues Blogger is having has spread to the whole interweb.
Or maybe it’s just me.
Regardless – you’ve hit the nail on the head, as usual. Frugality (or cheapskatery – heh, heh) looks different depending on who’s wearing it. I moan about my grocery bill all the time, but eating good food is really important to our family. We could easily eat more cheaply, but that doesn’t fit with our goals.
Now a vacation…someday.
The Mrs says
Uh. Oops. Obviously, it IS just me.
I’m off to insert my head in a bucket of coffee.
adventuresindinner says
It’s not just you. I’ve been having the same trouble.
Kristen says
I’m sorry about that! My blog server has been hiccuping today and yesterday and that’s probably what caused the problem.
adventuresindinner says
No. No. It’s not you. Blogger is having a mild “episode”.
Kristen says
But I’m not on Blogger. lol I’m a WordPress girl, through and through, and I’ve got my own server. So when it goes down, it’s my problem…that has its advantages and disadvantages!
Katfish says
I double layer my holey socks, too! But we also just bought our first SLR camera this week, because my husband loves taking pictures of our two young kids.
Reese says
I hate to be the first one who says this, but I guess I’m a tad disappointed in this approach! I hate to think that while you are wearing holes in a sock, you’re just layering with another pair of socks.
Couldn’t you find a different use for the socks rather than still wear them?
I think back to the cute post of Zoe’s hole-ridden socks and think, You’d never make her wear a pair of socks under those. Would you? So why wouldn’t you just treat yourself to a pair of socks?
I get that every penny counts… but why not just go with one less pair of socks (because we all probably own too many), and cut the sock open to use it as a dishrag instead?…
Kristen says
Just to clarify, are you disappointed because I seem to be lacking in creativity? Or because you feel bad that I’m wearing a holey sock?
I have no shortage of worn-out clothing to repurpose, which is why whenever possible, I try to keep wearing clothing items until they really cannot be used as clothing!
And I really, honestly don’t mind layering my socks. It doesn’t make me feel deprived at all. =P
Ban Clothing says
My husband and I wear the same socks… the champion athletic ones from costco. I used to wear normal girl socks but they would always end up with holes. I wear work boots at work and since switching to athletic socks my feet are so much happier with the extra cushion. It is also frugal because we have drastically cut down on our socks, plus it’s easier to do laundry. I still keep some ankle socks around for non-work boot days.
No Debt MBA says
I wish I could wear work boots to work. Dress shoes are not nearly as comfortable
Shana says
We DEFINITELY scrimp on food, entertainment and clothing. We make do on a grocery budget of $100/week (for 5 people – that includes 3 teenagers), very very verrrry rarely do anything outside of the house, and buy new stuff only when we need it. I will admit that I was/used to be somewhat of a clothes horse – and becauase of this, I have lots and lots and lots of clothes. I really don’t NEED one thing, and have pretty much all I could want. Any clothing “Splurges” are completely unnecessary.
ANYhow, we do this all so that we can take a pretty nice vacation every year. Last year we went to Mexico. This year it is North Carolina with the kids and NYC by ourselves later in the summer. Next summer we are taking our oldest daughter scuba diving in the Turks/Caicos islands for her H.S. graduation gift.
Works for us
Rachel says
I’m new to your fantastic site (linked here from Pioneer Woman) and just wanted to say I ESPECIALLY love this wise, wise post. It’s such an encouraging reminder, that I can scrimp on things that don’t matter to my husband and me and splurge on the things that do, and not worry about what is or is not important to other people. Thanks for the reminder!
Kristen says
Welcome!! I’m so glad to have you here.
No Debt MBA says
I think this kind of saving to splurge is super common. Why else do you save and scrimp in some areas when you could afford to pay more unless there is something more important or valuable you want to spend your pennies on?
We’re currently on a $25/week grocery budget, live in a very small home, and pinch our pennies. But I’m going to blow all of these savings and more on my very pricey MBA degree. We also regularly indulge by going out to get fancy pants desserts as our semi regular date night.
Denise says
Save–no paid TV, cheap cell, one car+bus pass, clothing, furnishings… these are all areas where we really try to go as low as possible.
Splurge–Vacation (a common theme among us I see), and here we usually save too, to maximize days instead of farther away locations. Also speedy internet is important.
adventuresindinner says
Thanks for the lovely post (once again). It seems as I journey farther away from my wastral overspending days that frugality is more about deciding on priorites instead of going without.
I think your examples did a great job in illustrating the difference.
Tina (Tightwad Mom) says
Love this post!!! Frugality is all about maintaining the needs in life on the money you earn. I have a friend who is a tightwad to the point that her family suffers. They have tons of money in the bank, but her children go without clothes, shoes, and any luxuries. I see that their lifestyle has affected her children’s self esteem. It also causes contention in her marriage. That to me is not what frugality is about. It is about cutting back in one area to provide the funds to meet goals and stay out of debt. We need our little “luxuries” every now and then. Luxuries give us something to look forward to; a bright spot in our everyday drudgery. I bake and cook from scratch, hang laundry to dry, run our household appliances and cars until they are completely unsalvageable, refurbish and slipcover used furniture, cut my children’s hair, grow a garden, reuse and recycle household items and clothes ( I have several pairs of mismatched socks, too), shop thrift stores, use cloth napkins, and in the winter I am the heat Nazi. However, I will pay for a top of the line Kitchen Aid mixer and kitchen appliances, higher quality household appliances, contribute generously to my Church’s welfare fund, pay for my children to participate in school activities, and I must confess, I will buy cookbooks (they are my weak link!
I am currently into Cook’s Illustrated, America’s Test Kitchen, and Taste of Home).
Danielle@ sixtasteschef.com says
Ha, I am glad others think the same way as me. Great post, it puts into words exactly my philosophy about money.
I like to eat well, and (for me) that means purchasing good ingredients and making it myself. I also like to dress well, but (for me) that means having fewer articles of clothing that I really like. One way I make my wardrobe last is to hang up every single article of clothing to dry. I only use the dryer for towels and sheets. I know this would probably drive other people nuts, but I don’t mind it as I find it makes my clothes last so long, they go out of and back into fashion and they don’t even look old! My bf hung up a shower curtain over our washer and dryer, so we hang our clothes all year round.
Tanya says
I had a very similar conversation just this morning with a credit counselor in my office who felt guilty about buying a good, but expensive, pair of shoes. Some things are just worth the money, especially if they last and will give you more wear than buying something cheap. Frugal means being fruitful with your resources. And yes, I agree with Tina – life without little luxuries is not much of a life at all. Frugality is about making choices that help you make the most of your money and use it wisely WHILE still having some pleasure and satisfaction in life.
Pam G says
The first thing most money-saving people will tell you is to stop eating at restaurants. But my husband I really love to…so we are super-frugal in other places so that we can eat out at a restaurant once in awhile. We buy no processed foods…only fresh, I drive a scooter around town and only use our van if I have to give some a ride and when we do drive the van we combine trips and do everything possible to save on gas, we gave o\up our cable TV, and lots of other stuff. I agree with you that it’s not about saving money on EVERYTHING, it’s about being frugal so you can afford to do the things you really love.
Shannon says
Yes, you’ve got it! I love to read about each person’s scrimps and luxuries, I love that we all have priorities. If everything was important, nothing would be, right? For me, I love to travel and camp, so I’m equally happy to splurge on plain tickets, camp gear and good boots. I hope to be able to take our boys to Europe someday. I also like my annual spa-day with my girlfriends. The husband likes the occasional gadget—I think his Kindle was a great investment, esp now that our local library is going Kindle-compatible! Yet I’m all about baking, growing vegetables, couponing (when it makes sense) cooking at home, making gifts, using the library for books and movies, clothes from Goodwill, and having good simple fun with the kids. I think it’s good for the kids too, to see that every day can’t be “deluxe.” That way when we do splurge and let them buy a book from the bookstore, they are in awe with our generosity
(Though our older son will now say “Mom, we don’t need to go to Barnes and Noble…I’m sure they have that title at Half Price Books, lol)
Jennifer Lissette says
It’s funny, because my family is the opposite, we scrimp and save on vacations and spend more on food! We tend to only vacation off-season and travel only to places where we have a local who can provide us free or super cheap lodging. On the other hand, I spend more than I should on food. The grocery store I frequent costs more but it is locally owned and works hard to provide locally grown food. I also go to the farmer’s market every week and my husband and I love going to the locally owned restaurants in our neighborhood… we’re five minutes from Japantown and love indulgences like sushi, shabu shabu and ramen.
It’s funny, I think these priorities of ours are partially established by where we’re located. Our city has over 300 days of sunshine per year and the temperature rarely ventures out of the 50-90 degree zone. As such, the weather never makes us long for other climates and the agriculture surrounding us provides us with a wide variety of delicious food!
Carol m says
Couldn’t you just have darned the holes in the socks, thus extending the life of the matching pair? That’s what i do. : )
Kristen says
I’ve never darned a thing in my life. I guess that’s a skill I need to pick up!
ann says
Carol, is darning just sewing the hole shut with a needle and thread? That’s what I do. And if it is, Kristen could absolutely do it.
Then you get to say “Darn those socks”. And if somebody else shows you a hole in their socks, you can say, “Darn it.” (I’m easily amused.)
Carol m says
yes, darning is whipstitching the hole closed. I use a wooden sock egg, although I’ve heard of lightbulbs, too. I sew from the inside/underside of the sock, using up my oddball colored threads.
WilliamB says
I sew my socks although I barely know which end of the needle gets poked into the fabric, a problem partially mitigated by the fact I could knit in my sleep. The key is to catch the hole while it’s still small, which makes it possible for me to try to fix, and also means the fabric around the hole is (usually) still strong enough to hold the thread without tearing. I “catch” any intact knit stitches with the thread so they don’t ravel more, then I overhand the rest till it seemed fixed.
All my darnable socks are white but I have been known to use whatever thread is on the needle, because I’m lazy that way.
To the inansely exact (who, me?) darning is different than whipstitching. Darning actually create a bit of weaving in the middle of the knit fabric. You use the needle and thread to create the warp, the use the needle and thread to weave the weft in. The trick to a good darn is not to let the fabric pucker.
Elaine says
My mother was really good at darning socks (7 kids + Dad), and I think she used your method, William. It seems the other method would create an uncomfortable crease or ridge.
Linda says
Your post today reminded me of one day when I had a pebble (actually a grain of sand, but it felt like a bolder) in my shoe. I sat down to take it out and a friend saw the threadbare soles of my socks. “Linda don’t you think its time to get a new pair of socks?” Her question took me by surprise. According to my mindset these were still very usable. I like Knee-highs because keep my legs warm and that pair of socks was still doing its job and although threadbare, I wasn’t sticking to the inside of my shoes. I continued to wear that pair of socks until they developed an actual hole.
When I do purchase new socks I get several pair of the same ones so that as they wear out I can throw the one holey one out and still mate the odd one with its brothers until I am down to only one good sock.
Frances says
This is a great post Kristen!!! I just threw 2 pair of white socks that had holes all in them that I wore for 2 winters…I hated to say so long but they were worn so thin that you could see through them and you can acquire too many old socks for dusting..I wear them on my hands to dust…but I am by no means a radical about dusting! I do what you do…extreme bargain hunter! I found a Gymboree top with the tags still on it for $2 at Goodwill and I thought that I had won the lottery! My granddaughter will love it. I scour grocerie stores for the best bargains! I shop at second hand shops and flea markets and the farmers markets for fresh foods. You are not alone!!!=-)
jestjack says
All this talk of socks brings back fond memories of a pair of “tube socks” from Levi that I bought at the Pants Corral way back when. Those socks started out as “knee highs” and when I would get holes in the toes or they became thin, I would turn them inside out , cut out the worn material and run a seem along the toes on the sewing machine. Did this countless times until many years later these socks were just about “ankle socks” and the elastic was about shot. So I am thrifty BUT I too do own a nice camera….it’s a choice.
Susanna says
I’m trying to cut back in all areas and get some control but I’ve always skimped on some things that are much less important IMO and spent LOTS in other areas. My main areas to spend are fabric(quilting) and all the supplies that go with that hobby (trying to cut wwaayyy back now!), books(love to read but have tapered off paperbackswap a bit and use the library a lot more), and off and on music is important. eating out was but I reevaluated and the pleasure just isn’t there for me unless it’s with friends and I don’t have a lot of those and the ones I do are either out of town or watching their finances themselves. cookware – I did not buy superexpensive cookware but at the time I considered $150 for a set to be high compared to the $3 pans at wally world! they’re still around and in good shape too(cook’s essentials hard anodized from QVC) as well as a few other assorted kitchen gadgets that I use a lot. I spend $100 or so on a cuisinart toaster oven that I use enough to justify the cost- haven’t used my regular in oven in I dont’ know how long and had planned on replacing but now will wait and see if I ever need one.
areas I cut: movies except for the occasional purchase(and I shop for lowest price even used most of the time!) but very very seldom see one first run (thought the new kung fu panda is tempting me sooo bad!), car – I wanted a lexus at one time but now drive a civic that I did splurge on and buy new (the other 2 I’ve purchased were each 2 yrs old and not my first choice) but I wanted good mileage to save money on gas hence the civic – and I plan to pay it off by the end of summer and keep driving it. I dont’ particularly like it(esp after driving my dad’s malibu with the cushy ride!) but it will be paid for and gets good mileaage and I’m willing to sacrifice having a new car frequently and paying more for a vehicle at this point in my life. cable – don’t miss it and it’s been probably over 3 yrs – 2 for sure but I think I got rid of it in the fall of ’07 and I don’t miss it at all. cool cell phone – I switched to tracfone and haven’t missed a cell phone though one would be nice and if I weren’t being frugal I’d probably have one sitting in my purse with a dead battery right now just out of habit. latest and greatest tv’s – I like the flatscreesn preferably with dvd built in but I buy cheap – one tv is the big heavy kind that doesnt’ even get the digital channesl but I use it for wii and dvd/vcr movies and will keep it until it’s a goner!
heather says
Sing it sister! We live this way too. I love being frugal so that I can afford things that I want and need. We just bought our first DSLR camera to take pics of my 2 year old and newborn and couldnt have purchased it if we wasted money on buying new items all the time when it not necessarily needed. Plus all the waste in landfills, less time with family, and less time enjoying life when buying, buying, buying.
ann says
This reminds me of a piece of advice my dad gave me once. I was considering buying a dress, and he advised me to think about how much I would pay to wear it once. For example, if it cost $10 and I would pay $3.00 to wear it once, and ended up wearing it at least 4 times, it was worth it. I think about that just about every time I consider buying something that seems pricey to me. In other words, how much is it worth to you?
priskill says
Such good points and a great reminder to me! I teach in a rather high-falutin’ community (I don’t live there
and all my fellow teachers drive veddy nice automobiles — pricey German sedans, gigantor SUVs, and the like, and all new and shiny. I pull up every day in my 11 year old, bottom of the line Toyota , which is dented and missing a few cosmetic details and am pretty happy — I recall you pointing out that every year you don’t have to buy a new car — you don’t have to buy a new car! This is our mantra!. We keep our cars forever — husband’s pickup went for over 20 years. He grudgingly traded in . . .
Love that you emphasize finding the frugality that works for YOU, not the people next door (or the ones looking at your socks! — ALL my socks have holes in the heel and i just keep wearing them). I am sure i could be more frugal in different areas — but i also have to like my life. So happy to see that others are thinking similarly — great post.
Cerri says
It’s funny that your socks are your savings because I love socks and I don’t mind picking up a very fancy pair if I see them (I love strange prints)
My real splurge is that I love new experiences. Sometimes that means saving for a vacation somewhere new and sometimes that means going to a new store that’s opened up. Sometimes it doesn’t cost anything but “budgeting” time (window shopping) but for me that’s something I wouldn’t cut out of my life.
I also love flowers and I used to buy them (we live in Seattle and most of my plants died the first few months from lack of sun) but now I get them with my CSA. It was only $2 a month extra but it feels like a big splurge because they make me so happy.
WilliamB says
My goal in being frugal is not to fritter my money away; I want to spend it on things that make my life better and me happier. Vacations, yes; buying lunch at work, no.
I don’t want to spend more than necessary but balance that against the time needed to save the money. So I no longer calculate which toilet paper, paper towel, or dish soap is the absolute cheapest per unit; it took 5 min of work to save $.15.
I pay more for pastured “happy” meat, but spent quite some time price comparing different providers. I buy crushed garlic and sliced mushrooms because it helps me cook more often and tastier food.
I buy only two types of socks: thin black trouser socks for work and white cotton socks for exercise and sneakers. I mend the cotton socks and when one is unmendable I toss it but – because my socks are all the same – I don’t have to toss the mate. In fact I don’t mate my socks anymore, I just throw them into the sock drawer, and grab the two on top when I need them and who cares if the two went together before.
I buy very high quality work clothes – partly because I hate shopping and good clothes last longer, partly because that’s part of my professional image. Seen as a single shopping trip it’s insanely expensive. Amortized over the 10-20 years the clothes last, it makes sense.
Sarah says
I like to use mix matched socks too. You can’t see them under pants well anyway. I like to splurge on dvds and ect.. You can wash your socks on the cold delicate cycle in a lingerie bag to prevent most holes. You can dry them on delicate or hang dry them to make them last longer. I use Woolite or a generic to make them last longer.
Denise says
Things I save on: groceries, clothes, toys, toiletries, vacations (only on the off-season and every other year).
Thing I wish I could have, but will do without: a better camera. My Nikon D50 really does suffice for work and play. But I really do want a D3000.
Things my husband and I splurge on: small, private Christian schooling for our children. (Because as much as I’d like to believe I have the temperament to home school my children, I don’t, and that’s a fact.)
Megan says
I buy almost all our outer clothes at Thrift Store City. It’s like a big box store, it is so big. You can almost go in with a list and come away with what you need. I forget how lucky we are to have it. I also have bought life vests, wall art,wayfarer sunglasses, furniture, new shoes galore, toys, a brand new-in-box toaster oven,books, storage boxes and one super-cool retro 1960’s teepee toy.
oh, and Halloween costumes.
oh, and about a ba-jillion other things.
ann says
Where do you live?
Kristen says
Oh, I’m so jealous.
Ashli says
I completely agree with everything you said here! I shop at thrift stores and Aldi’s, garage sales and craigs list, clip coupons and shop sales, make a lot of homemade things from food to costumes, but we take a vacation or two every year because we love to travel and want to make some memories with out kids before they are grown up. It’s all about setting priorities in life!
LeeAnn @ Living the Dream says
Yes! Thank you! It’s about priorities and what is important to YOU. It grates on me that my mom complains that my kid’s bib is worn (it still works great) or that my sis pokes fun at my mish-mosh of dinnerware (a mix of hand me downs). I don’t want to go spend $50 on new dishes or even $7 on a new bib. When I quit my full-time job to stay home with our 3 kids we decided we wanted to stay in our current home (that we bought when we had 2 full time incomes), so we sacrifice in some areas so we can continue to afford live here.
I dress my kids in consignment clothes, my husband and I don’t buy new clothes very often, I keep my grocery budget to $100/week, and we only eat out once a week. I can’t hire a maid, we don’t have a big swingset in our backyard, and (unfortunately) we can’t go on vacation every year (but with 3 kids ages 4 and under we don’t want to anyway, ha ha). But we love our home, it’s nice and big and each of our kids gets their own room and we have a finished basement for them to play in.
We love the life we live and don’t regret making the decisions we did.
Jo's Country Junction says
I love your sock story…I bought gobs of socks when our WalMart moved to a new store eight years ago. It ended up being 20 cents a pair. They are all gone but a couple pair now. Thankfully the thrift store in our area sells them for 10 cents a pair. Recently I hit the jack pot there…I got NICE wool fashionable socks. 4 pair. A few weeks later, 6 pair of athletic socks with arch support. I LOVE my thrift store. I TOTALLY scrimp on clothes, hang clothes on the line, garden, buy used as much as possible so I can buy fabric because I LOVE quilting…and morally I think living beyond a person’s means is just not how we are meant to live.
Rebecca says
Agree with this completely. We find that going on vacation is a MUST for a pastor’s family. You can’t have a real vacation at home because people do call you. It is draining being on call 24 hours a day.
I don’t spend much money on clothes, jewelry, home decorating…I spend my money on food (good food), books, movies, travel and experiences. To me, those are the lasting joys of life!
Lilian says
This posting is my favourite of all your blogs. It says what I feel and have been feeling guilty whenever I splurge. I will be moving into a condo and spent more than necessary on my induction cooker since I hv a passion in cooking. It is the first thing I hv spent on myself that I have not settled for less. I know that I will make good use of it through the years yet my many years of buying the practical vs want is a hard habit to break. thanks for this blog. Really needed it.
Margo says
I so agree with you – this is how we do life and I have a pricey camera too!
I learned how to darn sock holes this winter
I used to use holey socks as rags and now I can darn them.
fern says
You make such a good point, and I appreciate you realizing that what is important to one person or family may not be important to another. Before we had children we saved everything we could so that I could stay home with the kids. When the kids got older and I went to work outside our home-I hired a cleaning woman every few weeks so that I could spend more time with the kids when I was at home–and even more significantly the amount of stress it reduced for me so that I was a happier, more relaxed person more of the time.
Now, I work full time, my kids do a lot around the house, I make my own laundry detergent, we make almost all of our own bread, I make much of my own cleaning supplies, and we rarely go out to dinner or pick up dinner–and I get manicures. I honestly would rather make my own stuff and get manicures than buy bread, detergent, cleaning supplies and not have nice nails.
fern says
I should add that the reason I like manicures is not only do I get to have nice nails for a while (and I have soft, icky nails), it means for an hour every few weeks no one can ask anything of me. No one bothers me while I get them done–and of course I can’t do anything when they are drying.
Lindsay says
I wholeheartedly agree! I’ve felt for a while that one’s checkbook (or debit statement, or however you keep track of things) speaks volumes about ones values! If you are interested in discussing an online children’s clothing exchange that helps keep your balance in your “what matters” fund up as well as the balance in your “what doesn’t matter as much” fund up, check us out at http://www.clothingloop.com and join the discussion!
Lindsay
Amy says
I stumbled upon your website while looking for ways to change my own spending habits. I have started sewing up small holes in my socks within the last few years. This does seem to prevent the hole from growing and it’s easily hidden because holes usually start in the heel and toe and other places hidden by a shoe. My favorite shoes are Mary Janes, and you usually see part of the sock in these, so the color matching thing has a higher priority for me. I have started to buy more flesh colored socks because they will either appear to be bare skin or serve as a neutral color. I did start spending more for shoes within the last couple of years. The better shoes have only cost about 50% more that what I was previously spending at Walmart, but they seem to last at least twice as long. It saves me time shopping and trying on new shoes, it also saves the money and gas (because without Walmart and Dollar General shoes, I have to drive 45 minutes to a mall). I appreciate extra time whenever I can get it, even if I end up wasting it on Facebook.