Getting Finances Done

Question #1 – What’s your “frugality story?” In other words, how and why did you become frugal?

My wife and I had recently moved into a house, adopted a child, had a number of surgeries, and transitioned from two incomes to one, all within a year. We were forced to get control over our finances quickly or have a major lifestyle adjustment (like moving out of our house). We had a strong incentive and knew we could survive by taking control of our finances.

Question #2 – What, if anything, tempts you to overspend, and how do you resist?

I’m always shifting from one hobby to the next so there’s always an excuse to spend. My two biggest weaknesses right now are books and board games. One general technique I use is to imagine what will happen after the purchase is made and I’m at home.

Question #3 – What personal finance or frugality habits were the hardest for you to adopt and why?

Using cash was probably the hardest because credit cards are so convenient. But whatever inconvenience you suffer on the front-end making purchases is more than made up for on the back-end when reconciling your transactions. One cash withdraw entry vs. 40+ miscellaneous purchases and entries. Cash has also been the single biggest thing that has helped us to control our spending.

Question #4 – Have you ever taken frugality too far? How so?

You know, I don’t think I ever have. I tend to always push the limits of spending more than I should. My wife used to do things like rinsing out ziploc bags to use them later, but I convinced her it’s an unnecessary if not unsanitary habit.