how you managed to come from the family you were raised in? LOL
With my family visiting, I've been amazed at some of the things I have learned that apparently were not taught to me from my family! Primarily with regard to frugal living. I have to watch every penny in order to survive. We keep lights off when not in the room, we turn ceiling fans off at night, we sale/coupon shop, etc.
My dad & stepmom apparently have no concept of how to do this! I'm amazed at how many times I go behind them and turn off lights. And food! Oh my goodness! I was making a hamburger casserole and had purchased the pre-shredded cheese because it was actually less expensive than block cheese. I had to do something so my stepmom went to finish making it. All that was needed was to add the layer of cheese to the top and put it in the oven. I am not kidding when I say she put at least 1.5 POUNDS of cheese on the top of that casserole!! Holy cannoli! Well, that was my allotment for cheese for the MONTH so now I guess there will be no cheese for anything unless they go buy more. It's not a big deal, and I know they'll be helping with groceries. But I just sat back and thought, "wow, how did I learn to watch my spending?" This is certainly not something I learned growing up. My kids know all about coupons & sales even at their young ages. I NEVER hear "can we have" when at the store. Instead I hear "Mom, next time that is on sale and you have a coupon, can we get it?" I am building life lessons in finance without even trying! :)
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Comments: 17
I don't know how I became the saver that I am, but it may have been necessity.
One of the things I wondered about growing up is why my mother would turn on the lights in a room that was naturally light enough with sunlight. As I've aged, I realize it's because she didn't see as well without the lights.
As far as wondering about how I fit in with my family, I do wonder that a lot. My parents neither one like animals. They always tell me they belong outside and should never be allowed in the house. To me and my husband, the animals are just part of the family.
I have been a coupon shopper in the past and need to start again, I think I got out of practice once we decided not to subscribe to the local paper here.
I was out of work a few times in life and have learned to check the reduced racks in stores like Wal-mart, Target, K-mart, etc. Years ago when I thought I had money (plastic) I'd shop in Macy's..no more and have no desire to go there because their prices are insane.
Dietary reasons create some budgetary expenditures including gluten-free products, organic stuff, etc. but try to find a way to be careful with those prices, too.
Not only our spending habits are different from our families but how about our beliefs about some fundamental things?
have a good weekend