Why did you start to be frugal?

[EconoMutt]

I've become frugal just these past three years. My incomes varies. I decided to pay down debt so I could afford to pay bills even when my incomes dips.

[Volkov]

My parents were very frugal - growing up in a developing country, I always wondered why they had a "budget" for everything, despite the fact that my parents earned well. They had only one kid (me) because they wanted to make sure I could go to the very best private schools, and they saved the rest away in real estate, savings, or good jewelry. Now in their 60s, they just bought a beautiful beach house, have a maid, and have enough savings to live an affluent lifestyle at an age when comfort matters the most. Even so, they continue to earn in their older age (mostly because they get bored), live frugally, and lead a very unassuming but comfortable lifestyle. That's a big motivating factor for me (and the fact that they told me all their savings are going to charity).

My wife, in comparison, grew up poor (i.e. no running water in the middle of nowhere poor). She joined the military to get the GI bill, and now goes probably to the best school in the world on her own.

So, I realized that I should be grateful for a good job, great pay, and a comfortable lifestyle - and got down to saving!

[krantcents]

I would like to know your story, if you would like to share.

I really started to be frugal when I went on maternity leave so I could be a SAHM. Even though I had to turn into a WAHM. I still want to save the most money now!

Don't know, maybe genetic! Is it nature or nurture? I think it is both. My mother was frugal (cheap) and very successful. I think it influenced me more than I realize.

[msi56]

Don't know, maybe genetic! Is it nature or nurture? I think it is both. My mother was frugal (cheap) and very successful. I think it influenced me more than I realize.

I think that it is definitely nurture, as my mother was quite frugal and her mum before her was even more frugal.

I can see in our family each new generation is becoming a little bit less frugal, but the instinct to save money and spend wisely is still there.

[travisgier]

Saving for Future..

[elessar78]

I was a couple years out of college and realized that my credit card bills were getting too hard to manage. I went to Barnes and Noble picked up a book on personal finance and the rest is history. For the record, I didn't buy the book. I read it there and bought it later on Amazon. I was being frugal!

[fruitbowlk]

To be honest I think I was born this way but what really got me to thinking was the birth of my daughter. I wanted to have a good life and to enjoy it without the financial stress.

[AmySL]

Me too. I first started to come around when my daughter was born.

[NolaP]

Today! I live in a super-expensive area and have decided to buy my first apartment this year. I never learned how to be frugal - my family didn't have a lot of money but they did have a lot of debt - and I joined this forum for inspiration and ideas. All your posts are much appreciated.

Nola

[mmgarren@yahoo.com]

I worked at jobs at minimum pay and was unable to save any money. I lived from hand to mouth until I became ill and was homeless. I went back to school developed some self confidence and found a well paying job when I was 59 years old. I saved money. retired at age 67 and took my saving skills to a new level. I save about 25 per cent of my income.

[couchrobt]

I grew up poor so being frugal was a necessity not a choice!

Nothing wrong with it, I should say so because I grew up just enough to get by. So, yes, I can say it was never a choice but has to be lived too somehow. It can be a helpful experience too. Frugality is a trait that not everyone has. Only those who have it naturally can normally take it more than others.

[Aleta]

It's like couchrobt said, "Frugality is a trait that not everyone has." I know people who grew up poor and they are maxed out on credit cards, driving cars they can't afford, and buying houses that are beyond their means. All of this has been done to make them feel good about who they are. They're always going from one thing to the next thing. They're never happy. So, I agree that there is something in you at a very early age that makes you watch the money that you spend.

[couchrobt]

Growing up with just trying to make ends meet everyday is enough reason to live with a tight belt. I have been there, and hopeful that I make it better now.

[khosta]

When my boyfriend taught me how important it is to save and not go shopping every time I make a paycheck.

[mike95910]

I was running out of money and wanted to save more for retirment. Live frugal now and then in the future you will have a ton of money