After living a lifestyle of free spending, breaking those habits and moving to a new lifestyle can be difficult. However, it is by no means impossible, and you absolutely do not have to look like a pauper. There are ways to live frugally, and live smart.
First off, evaluate where you shop and your shopping habits. Do you get your clothes from high-end stores, or from the more moderately priced stores? Are you an impulse buyer, or do you shop around? Are you a brand shopper? When you go to the grocery store do you buy the well-known brand, which is usually at least thirty cents more, or do you pay for the store brand? These questions, when answered truthfully, will give you some idea of how you spend your money.
From there you can come up with a solution. Shop at a less expensive clothing store, make a grocery list and stick to it. Make a plan and don't deviate. No impulse buying, and if you absolutely must have that one item, weigh all the costs before buying the product.
Another big mistake people make is frequently eating out. This is detrimental to more than your finances. It flattens your pocketbook while fattening your belly. Keep track of how often you eat out. If it's three or more times a week cut it down to once a week. When you've gotten used to that cut it again to twice a month. This will help your pocketbook and your health. Eating a home-cooked meal with the family is beneficial psychologically as well as physically.
When you need new furniture consider going the second-hand route. Oftentimes this furniture is in excellent condition, and you'll get it for half the price. Find a second-hand website or search your local classifieds. Be patient about it and more than likely you'll find what you're looking for.
Some people like to see what they can get for free so they enter drawings and join swap sites. Lots of people win things such as a free Wii or a gift card of some sort. Swap sites are fun because you can trade what you don't want for something you do. It's a good way to get rid of clutter and to get something useful in return.
It's your preference on how you want to live frugally, but these ideas above are just a few suggestions to get you started. You never know, it might be the best thing you've done for yourself in a long time.
Reward Storm (http://rewardstorm.com/) is an offers site where one can earn a free Wii. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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