Are you learning to pinch your wallet?

I didn't have to learn. I have always been frugal and saved. I have been unemployed for 29 years and living off of my own modest investments and, just like when I was working, have always saved at least 20% of my income up until this year which is where the bad economy is hitting me because there almost no places for me to cut back except in what I was saving.

I try to help my mother pinch her wallet. When I go grocery shopping with her, I'll tell her to buy the cheaper items which she's not used to since she's not used to being unemployed. I'll ask her to buy the smaller and cheaper apples and the less expensive brand can good. We now watch our dollars really carefully

I learned how to do that years ago. We are not among people who have had a good job and health care. I learned early on to make do and do without 30 some years ago and still doing it.

i think that we are pretty careful shoppers when we go shopping. i seldom go to the mall, only buy essentials at walmart, hardly ever buy new clothes unless they are on sale (i got an off season jacket for $4!) eat cheaply and are pretty savy when it comes to grocery shopping.

That's exactly my problem, although I am not really the worst spender in town, I do not know how to make my money grow. I know how to pinch my wallet but I dont know how to fatten it! Sucks! hehehe

Hm... I don't have any income these days because I dont' work anymore so when I get money from my honey, I just treat myself good once in a while and save some.

I've never been that careless with my money. I have had to accumulate quite a bit of debt in student loans but I still have a few months to go before repayment begins so I'm hoping that I can save some money now to help with paying the loans off or to have in case that I totally go broke one month and need the extra money to live on. It does happen and I'm hoping that it doesn't because I know I'd be in definite trouble then. I'm really trying hard to control my impulse purchases and I think I've gotten pretty good at it.

hello clorissa123, Since I let my wife resigned from her work to take care of our kids, that's the time we started to spend our money wisely. We used to eat weekly outside with the kids, watch movie, buy them what they want but not anymore. So what we do is to cook special food/s during weekend is like what we eat outside. This way we can save some. Even in watching movie, we just rent and watch at home. We only go to movie house when I have a token for free from the company I'm working. Regarding with their toys, if they excel in school every grading we are giving them reward - money. They are using it in buying what they want. They don't have any reward if they are not included in the overall honor student every grading. This way, if they they really want something for them they should study hard to earn it.

I am slowly learning how to tighten up on my spending. I was always very lucky financially until about 2 months ago when the business i worked for unexpectedly closed its doors. I am very lucky to be drawing unemployment yet my unemployment is about half what i was bringing home before. So recently my household has had to do a lot of cut backs and "bargain shopping." We just this past week let go of a few luxuries that we had taken for granted for many years now.

I totally understand this lesson. Last year, I paid off half of my debt...only to run it right back up while I was out of work for 3 months earlier this year. Although many of us hate to admit we have a spending problem (myself included), Americans truly outspend the rest of the world in practically every area of life. So the next time you have a hankering for Starbucks, ask yourself..."Do I have enough money saved to afford this pleasure? Is my debt paid off or paid down to almost zero?" If the answer to either is "No", then might I suggest a deep breath, turn around, and go back out the door. Best of luck to all of you with your savings! :)