Playing the Frugal Game Is Fun!

[HFWR]

We have donated hundred of golf balls....

+1000

 

[Alex in Virginia]

... Don't HAVE to, but thought we'd give frugality a try as we enter into retirement, to see what happens.

I predict you're going to be amazed at what can happen, Seraphim -- and thanks for the nice reply to my post.

I went through the same mental process you are going through now just as I was getting ready to go FI.

(WAIT! That's a lie. What really happened was that I did a systematic review of my regular expenses looking to see if I could reduce them enough to go FI and... the Frugal Game got me there!)

Make a long story short, playing the Frugal Game on "big ticket" stuff over a period of 2 or 3 months (I took my time) reduced my basic living expenses by 25% and propelled me into a much "fatter" and faster FI.

You could do the same! (And THAT is way fun!)

Alex in Virginia

 

[Mulligan]

Alex in Virginia, This was a fun post to read!
Mulligan, we have more in common than Anthem. I like your thermostat settings!
rbmrtn, I have the same problem with coupons. They are typically for things I don't need or use. And if they are, I'll clip them but then loose them. Need to get more organized!

I will have to agree with you and rb both on the coupons, though I have good intentions, something always happens. I had a $5 off rest. coupon, but 6 miles down the road I realized I forgot it. My daughter says turn around and get it we have time. I said, never mind, I would spend $5 in gas just going back and getting it.

 

[Aiming_4_55]

I feel I've been playing the Frugal or LBYM game since I started receiving/earning money.

I look for sales, online promo codes, clearance, liquidation, etc. I get a little tense (inside) for those last minute unexpected gifts. While our budget is generally the same, I feel better when we buy something bigger and better for that same targeted budget, so I like it when I spend $50 on a gift while on sale with a retail value of say $100 vs paying full price of a $50 gift.

I do draw the line and make a conscious decision... do you shop at 4 stores which consumes time (still working) and gas to save $5? So for me, the Frugal game is at times, depends on the situation.

I know this might be a sensitive topic for some, but it looks very doable to semi-RE or RE in my late 40's with 2 younger kids. With solid taxable savings and rental income, I will have to determine a good approach to keeping AGI/MAGI to the right amount to leverage "programs" i.e. healthcare, school lunches/programs for the kids, financial aid for kid's college, etc. To me, this could be the next step of the Frugal game ;-)

 

[Alex in Virginia]

... Oil changes would be another example of a time when I'm happy to lose the frugal game. I know I could save some money by climbing under there and doing it myself, but that's something I'm happy to pay someone else to do.

Hi, ER Eddie...

Thanks for the reply to my post. But, hey, playing the Frugal Game doesn't mean you actually have to do WORK! (That's Frugal Game Extreme !)

I won't crawl under my truck either. (More power to those who do.) But when I take my vehicle to Jiffy Lube I always have at least a $5 off coupon that I can use in my glove compartment. So even though I'm paying for something I theoretically (very theoretically) could do myself, I still feel that little win feeling from saving the 5 bucks.

Cheers!

Alex in Virginia

 

[Live And Learn]

But you rbmrtn are way more of a man than I am... Thermostat set at 85? Although when outside my range of comfort can be anywhere from 40-100 degrees my indoor comfort has gotten extremely narrow. When it gets above 73 inside during the summer I am hot and when it is below 70 in the winter I am cold. If my utility rates doubled I would be furious, but still wouldn't adjust the thermostat.

+1 mostly ! if my bill doubled I'd probably adjust the thermostat by a degree or two but there is no way I'm going to be warm inside my home when its hotter than hades outside. Probably added 2 years to my FI calculations but we have to prioritze

 

[travelover]

I change my own oil, but only because I take pleasure in making sure it is done right. Being retired is all about doing stuff that you enjoy and avoiding what you don't enjoy.

 

[Live And Learn]

I will have to agree with you and rb both on the coupons, though I have good intentions, something always happens. I had a $5 off rest. coupon, but 6 miles down the road I realized I forgot it. My daughter says turn around and get it we have time. I said, never mind, I would spend $5 in gas just going back and getting it.

BTDT ! I've learned to store these items in my handbag or in my car. Sometimes I have to dig to find them, but I know they are with me.

 

[Alex in Virginia]

...When there are deals or coupons, I definately think its a game. For example, every so often Kohl's sends me a coupon for $10 off. I think Kohl's is betting I'll go in and spend $50 to buy stuff I probably don't need. It's tough to do, but I've managed to find items that cost just over $10 and so I've bought a set of socks and a good knife for about 50 cents each.

Hi, Delaney...

Thanks for replying to my post.

I do a similar thing with Bed Bath & Beyond. Every month or so they send me a 20% off one item -- or a $5 off a $15 purchase -- coupon. I always use their coupons to stock up on Keurig single-cup coffee thingies. The price of the box and the coupon discount are very well aligned!

The poor store is still waiting for me to buy something else over and above the coupon purchase.

Alex in Virginia

P.S. -- Those Kohl $10 off coupons you get are much better though!

 

[ERhoosier]

I do NOT mean to promote gambling, but some of the casinos have great food deals- particularly for new members of their "clubs". While on recent Midwest road trip, DW & I stopped at one for late lunch buffet. Although lunch was full price (still reasonable @ ~$10ea for some very tasty food, soft drink,& coffee), we got coupons for few bucks of free slot play. After running that 'coupon stake' through the 1-armed bandits we netted more than enough to pay for the lunches. Ended up getting back on the road with full bellies & a few extra quarters in our pockets

 

[MBAustin]

Great post, Alex!

While I have naturally played the Frugal Game throughout my life (thanks to my late father, who was a master of it), I now give myself permission to use the proceeds of my frugality on some of the nicer things - for example, our grocery store gives 10% off when you buy 6 bottles of wine. My normal limit for non-special-occasion wine is $10, but I have changed that to $11 shelf price (= $9.90 after discount). So I can buy a few wines we really like that are over the $10 threshold and still pay less than $10.

I'm still in the process of the lightbulb swap - we have a lot of CFLs but quite a few fixtures where they aren't appropriate (chandelier base pendants that need 60-watt dimmable equivalents) so I'm trying out LEDs as well (with mixed success, need to look for another brand).

 

[bhoferp]

I like to buy groceries on sale that I have a coupon for. I not only look for things I use, but do it for things I don't use and then put that food in the donation barrel on my way out of the store. Makes me feel good and hopefully helps someone else.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

I don't clip manufacturers coupons as the amounts are usually not worth the time it takes for me. But I do go through the weekly specials and get the loyalty cards for the local grocery stores. Many give you personalized loss leader coupons just to get you in the store. If you go and stock up on only the loss leaders you can really save money that way.

 

[marko]

Great post! When I was w*rking, we didn't have a lot of time so we just paid whatever because it was convenient and expedient.

After RE, I had the time to do stuff on my own and/or look for bargains and realized how much we were getting ripped off! Who knew you could get decent (not the best, but pretty darn good) golf shirts and shorts at Costco for $18 ea? A few years ago, I'd of paid $90 for (almost) the same pants...and I'd of wrecked them just as quickly.

 

[seraphim]

DW has always been frugal: I'd tease her about spending $10 in gas looking for a $5 savings lol. Not me so much. An impulse buyer.

We've always been good about the thermostat in winter: easier to toss on a sweater. DWs allergies require AC in the summer though.

Our worst habit is eating out. A lot. Nice restaurants. Thinking about taking cooking lessons.

 

[Alex in Virginia]

Originally Posted by Mulligan
But you rbmrtn are way more of a man than I am... Thermostat set at 85? Although when outside my range of comfort can be anywhere from 40-100 degrees my indoor comfort has gotten extremely narrow. When it gets above 73 inside during the summer I am hot and when it is below 70 in the winter I am cold. If my utility rates doubled I would be furious, but still wouldn't adjust the thermostat.

+1 mostly ! if my bill doubled I'd probably adjust the thermostat by a degree or two but there is no way I'm going to be warm inside my home when its hotter than hades outside. Probably added 2 years to my FI calculations but we have to prioritze

Hello, Mulligan and Live And Learn...

Thanks for replying to my post.

Live And Learn, you hit the nail right on the head when you point out that "we have to prioritize." If your priority (choice) is having a little more "shirt-sleevy" temperature range at home and my priority is shaving that 2 years off my must-have-a-job time, we're both right. As long as we are aware that we are making a choice. (I'm afraid too many people are on autopilot and don't have that awareness.)

Having said that, being truly uncomfortable would sour the Frugal Game for me. It wouldn't feel like a game anymore; it would feel like sacrifice. As far as in-home temperatures are concerned, I found by trial and error that I'm good to go between 67 degrees in the winter and 79 degrees in the summer. After all, isn't that why God created sweaters, longjohns, shorts and t-shirts?

Alex in Virginia

 

[RunningBum]

I buy used golf balls from lostgolfballs.com. Does that count?

If I start to run low, on Sunday evening I'll go walk the rough on a few holes on our course. Not hard to find 2 or 3 dozen balls and get some light exercise in an hour or two. I also find when I hit a ball into the woods, it's not uncommon for me to find 2 balls to replace the one I just lost. The worse I hit, the heavier my bag gets with found balls!

I'm a 66/80 thermostat guy. I just heat up the area I'm in with an electric or regular blanket and warmer clothes in winter. Cats help by laying on my legs. When it gets above freezing I'll splurge and kick it up to 68 since the heat pump is cheaper to run.

 

[marko]

Right. I think the game part should be "getting something for nothing" or "sticking it to the man". It should be about finding gains in the margins or turning constraints inside out; social judo.

If the strategy is to do without, you lose at the game.

 

[Alex in Virginia]

Right. I think the game part should be "getting something for nothing" or "sticking it to the man". It should be about finding gains in the margins or turning constraints inside out; social judo.

If the strategy is to do without, you lose at the game.

Marko, I agree but I want to clarify that a bit. (Thanks for the reply to my post, btw.)

I am doing without cable TV because I have more than enough to watch on Netflix at a fraction of the cost. I am doing without my old fee-based credit monitoring service because I now use Credit Karma and Credit Sesame for free. I am doing without my lights and electronics being on when I'm not using them because, hey -- I'm NOT using them. I am doing without 3 or 4 separate store runs a week in my vehicle because I gang them all together once a week and free up some of my money AND some of my time.

You probably get the idea by now. Finding gains in the margins, as you put it, is at the core of the Frugal Game and where those margins are can be constantly optimized and improved.

IMHO...

Alex in Virginia

 

[marko]

Marko, I agree but I want to clarify that a bit. (Thanks for the reply to my post, btw.)

I am doing without cable TV because I have more than enough to watch on Netflix at a fraction of the cost. I am doing without my old fee-based credit monitoring service because I now use Credit Karma and Credit Sesame for free. I am doing without my lights and electronics being on when I'm not using them because, hey -- I'm NOT using them. I am doing without 3 or 4 separate store runs a week in my vehicle because I gang them all together once a week and free up some of my money AND some of my time.

You probably get the idea by now. Finding gains in the margins, as you put it, is at the core of the Frugal Game and where those margins are can be constantly optimized and improved.

IMHO...

Alex in Virginia

Right. When I said "do without" I meant to say being uncomfortable, or abstaining from something you like just to save money. Being cold in your own house during winter to save a few bucks is a loser's game.

It's about having everything you need/want and getting it for the best/lowest cost possible. Leveraging constraints and turning them into resources (as you've done with Netflix vs cable). Game on!

 

[freebird5825]

As far as saving on utilities, I always line dry my laundry. I have indoor clotheslines in my lower family room. When the hung laundry is dry, I give it a 15 minute tumble dry to remove wrinkles and hang the shirts and slacks immediately (no ironing). Not machine drying the towels when they are done washing has to be a huge savings.

Another big savings is for grocery store meats. We go to New Hampshire at least 3x a year. I bring along a big cooler to store large size meat packages. The prices there are much lower than here in upstate NY. We cut up and package the meat at home. We also get frozen seafood if the price is better. I get all the ice I need from the hotel to keep things cold on the 5 hour trip home. I also buy my beer and wine at a tax free package store in NH.

For lawn care, I intentionally let the grass go to seed naturally before the first mowing of the season. I mow it on a high setting, let the cuttings dry a bit, and then distribute the seed and mulch over any bare or thin spots. Nature then does its thing. I have not bought grass seed, fertilizer, or straw for mulch in years. My lot is 100 feet wide by 400 feet deep. Imagine the cost of fertilizer and weed killer to cover that expanse.
My lawn is not perfect 100% grass, but so what ? It's green and has no bare spots. Any persistent weeds are dealt with on a case by case basis instead of broadcast spreading.

I am establishing a fruit garden (grapes, blackberries, peaches, plums, blueberries) in my backyard big garden. I save seeds. I grow my own veggies in containers. No paying organic veggie prices for this kid!

 

[daylatedollarshort]

As far as saving on utilities, I always line dry my laundry.

Line drying is great. I like it because it burns a few extra calories, saves money, drying outside on sunny days helps kill germs, and it is better for the environment. Line drying and a front loading washer saved us quite a bit on energy costs.

 

[freebird5825]

Line drying is great. I like it because it burns a few extra calories, saves money, drying outside on sunny days helps kill germs, and it is better for the environment. Line drying and a front loading washer saved us quite a bit on energy costs.

I do mine indoors for several reasons...

1. No bird plops or bugs on my clean laundry.
2. I can hang it and leave it regardless of weather or season.
3. I use clothesline rope with D connectors at both ends to attach/detach it quickly on the heavy duty nails I drove into my fireplace mantel (railroad tie). I leave the connected ends on a metal ceiling support jack.

I have a dehumidifier in the room anyway, so no moisture retention in the room. The clothes dry very quickly.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

I do mine indoors for several reasons...

1. No bird plops or bugs on my clean laundry.
2. I can hang it and leave it regardless of weather or season.
3. I use clothesline rope with D connectors at both ends to attach/detach it quickly on the heavy duty nails I drove into my fireplace mantel (railroad tie). I leave the connected ends on a metal ceiling support jack.

I have a dehumidifier in the room anyway, so no moisture retention in the room. The clothes dry very quickly.

That sounds like a great set up.

I have portable drying racks and use them in the garage when it rains and put them outside the rest of the time. I found a spot outside the birds' flight paths that works really well for the racks.

 

[imoldernu]

Yes. Practicing no-sacrifice frugality puts me more in control. Helps me come out ahead. Gets me in a winning mood. And who isn’t going to feel good about all of that?

Says it all!