What have you given up that you don't miss? - Page 5

pidgeon92 · 08-03-2008, 06:33 PM

I bought an espresso machine, which brought my Starbucks consumption to almost nil. I rarely drink soda anymore, though I will on occasion have a fountain soda if I'm out; they don't seem to be nearly as sweet as canned/bottled.

I've also been getting rid of stuff. I'm so tired of the house being full of stuff. Stuff that's just taking up room. Stuff that needs to be dusted. Stuff that has no use. Books that will never get read. Slowly, but surely I am purging the stuff. My hope is that in a few years I will be down to the stuff I actually have a use for, and nothing else.

Simun · 08-04-2008, 07:28 PM

the car - I recently moved into Manhattan and have no use for a car. Goodbye gas prices and geico insurance rates.

TV - I can't believe I was paying $50 a month for a service I rarely if ever used. This was easy to give up but my only fear is football season is around the corner and I love watching games on Sundays. Still have to figure that out as it really was the only time I regularly used cable tv.

cell phone - this one I didn't really give up. My company pays for a cell line for me. I liked the idea of having my own cell to avoid mixing work and personal life but at this point it really doesn't matter. I was using 50-60 minutes a month and paying for 400. The company definitely won't notice 50 minutes so there goes another $50 a month in savings

Internet - my company phone also has tethering enabled which allows me to use the phone as a modem (currently connected now, heh) This might change though as the speed sucks and I do use the internet for much more than just browsing.

Coffee - no more do I buy the daily $1 coffee from the street vendor. I'm content on drinking the free crap my office offers.

These are the big things I can think of right now. It sure does add up!

AlmostFrugal · 08-05-2008, 08:41 AM

I don't go to the movies anymore. I haven't been in about two years I think, although I honestly can't remember.

I don't drink soda anymore.

I cut my husband's hair, and the older children's as well.

I don't buy books anymore really, I get them through BookMooch or the library.

blueberry · 08-11-2008, 07:09 AM

Sodas, Cable, Fast food, I only clothes shop 2-3 times a year now and I bargain shop(fashion is so variable now, you can wear whatever you want---including consignment wear), Candy, Shaving razors (who cares if you shave when you wear long pants and t-shirts?), and I now only eat meat 1-2 times per week.

Maaka · 08-16-2008, 12:03 PM

With my daughter in college and hubby moved in with his mistress, I have suddenly discovered the joy of decluttering.

Oh, sorry, hon, I dropped your bagpipes while I was cleaning. I'm sure they're at the dump by now, along with your "special anniversary" issues of Rolling Stone and FOURTEEN framed posters of Ireland.

It's all about priorities. And space. Beautiful, glorious space.

AlmostFrugal · 08-16-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maaka

With my daughter in college and hubby moved in with his mistress, I have suddenly discovered the joy of decluttering.

Oh, sorry, hon, I dropped your bagpipes while I was cleaning. I'm sure they're at the dump by now, along with your "special anniversary" issues of Rolling Stone and FOURTEEN framed posters of Ireland.

It's all about priorities. And space. Beautiful, glorious space.

You go girl. I don't really think that revenge is always justified, but on the other hand, sometimes it is.

Frugal Duchess · 08-17-2008, 06:34 PM

I've given up bottled water and most soft drinks.

rabidpotatochip · 08-19-2008, 06:35 AM

The only thing I can truly say I've given up is my monthly music purchase and/or monthly DVD purchase. I've always given myself a monthly entertainment budget (my wife is so darn good she doesn't even need one) so I don't blow our savings, but now I just listen to net radio and (legally) download music from sites like Jamendo for the drive to/from work. Everything else I've cleverly replaced.

I replaced the voicemail on our landline with a cheap answering machine (paid for itself in three months) and canceled call-waiting. Almost no one calls, and very few people leave messages anyway, so it was kind of a face-palm moment when we realized how much those extra features were costing us.

As for movies, I signed up for Cinemail (Canadian competitor to Netflix) and get most of my movies through them. It's actually killed the theater experience for me. I miss the big screen, but it's outweighed by the benefit of no obnoxious people you didn't invite and being able to pause the movie if you have to do something else. I find yelling "hang on everybody, I have to go to the bathroom!" in a public theater yields mixed results.

So I'm not too sure if the phone thing and the movie thing count as giving something up, but I don't miss the old way of doing it at least. hehe

08-05-2008, 08:41 AM	#43
AlmostFrugal Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: France Posts: 88 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (32)	I don't go to the movies anymore. I haven't been in about two years I think, although I honestly can't remember. I don't drink soda anymore. I cut my husband's hair, and the older children's as well. I don't buy books anymore really, I get them through BookMooch or the library. __________________ Almost Frugal... frugality for the rest of us Almost Frugal Food family, food, France, frugality

08-16-2008, 12:03 PM	#45
Maaka Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Clutter!! With my daughter in college and hubby moved in with his mistress, I have suddenly discovered the joy of decluttering. Oh, sorry, hon, I dropped your bagpipes while I was cleaning. I'm sure they're at the dump by now, along with your "special anniversary" issues of Rolling Stone and FOURTEEN framed posters of Ireland. It's all about priorities. And space. Beautiful, glorious space.

08-17-2008, 06:34 PM	#47
Frugal Duchess Nationally Syndicated Columnist Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 34 Thanks: 13 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Reputation: (12)	I've given up bottled water and most soft drinks. __________________ Author of Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save Money and The Frugal Duchess Blog.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-03-2008, 06:33 PM	#41
pidgeon92 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Waukegan IL Posts: 32 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (12)	I bought an espresso machine, which brought my Starbucks consumption to almost nil. I rarely drink soda anymore, though I will on occasion have a fountain soda if I'm out; they don't seem to be nearly as sweet as canned/bottled. I've also been getting rid of stuff. I'm so tired of the house being full of stuff. Stuff that's just taking up room. Stuff that needs to be dusted. Stuff that has no use. Books that will never get read. Slowly, but surely I am purging the stuff. My hope is that in a few years I will be down to the stuff I actually have a use for, and nothing else.

08-04-2008, 07:28 PM	#42
Simun Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	the car - I recently moved into Manhattan and have no use for a car. Goodbye gas prices and geico insurance rates. TV - I can't believe I was paying $50 a month for a service I rarely if ever used. This was easy to give up but my only fear is football season is around the corner and I love watching games on Sundays. Still have to figure that out as it really was the only time I regularly used cable tv. cell phone - this one I didn't really give up. My company pays for a cell line for me. I liked the idea of having my own cell to avoid mixing work and personal life but at this point it really doesn't matter. I was using 50-60 minutes a month and paying for 400. The company definitely won't notice 50 minutes so there goes another $50 a month in savings Internet - my company phone also has tethering enabled which allows me to use the phone as a modem (currently connected now, heh) This might change though as the speed sucks and I do use the internet for much more than just browsing. Coffee - no more do I buy the daily $1 coffee from the street vendor. I'm content on drinking the free crap my office offers. These are the big things I can think of right now. It sure does add up!

08-11-2008, 07:09 AM	#44
blueberry Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Sodas, Cable, Fast food, I only clothes shop 2-3 times a year now and I bargain shop(fashion is so variable now, you can wear whatever you want---including consignment wear), Candy, Shaving razors (who cares if you shave when you wear long pants and t-shirts?), and I now only eat meat 1-2 times per week.

08-19-2008, 06:35 AM	#48
rabidpotatochip Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (33)	The only thing I can truly say I've given up is my monthly music purchase and/or monthly DVD purchase. I've always given myself a monthly entertainment budget (my wife is so darn good she doesn't even need one) so I don't blow our savings, but now I just listen to net radio and (legally) download music from sites like Jamendo for the drive to/from work. Everything else I've cleverly replaced. I replaced the voicemail on our landline with a cheap answering machine (paid for itself in three months) and canceled call-waiting. Almost no one calls, and very few people leave messages anyway, so it was kind of a face-palm moment when we realized how much those extra features were costing us. As for movies, I signed up for Cinemail (Canadian competitor to Netflix) and get most of my movies through them. It's actually killed the theater experience for me. I miss the big screen, but it's outweighed by the benefit of no obnoxious people you didn't invite and being able to pause the movie if you have to do something else. I find yelling "hang on everybody, I have to go to the bathroom!" in a public theater yields mixed results. So I'm not too sure if the phone thing and the movie thing count as giving something up, but I don't miss the old way of doing it at least. hehe