What is the most radically frugal thing you do on a REGULAR basis?

Tell yourself no. That seems to shock the hell out of most people!

I record every single charge we make on a spreadsheet (we charge everything for reward points) and reconcile them when the bill comes in.  I also record every single dollar we spend and categorize it.  It started when Dh lost his job and we needed to see where our money was going.  Now it has just become a habit.

I never carry cash or money of any kind with me unless its for a specific purpose (gas, groceries, out to eat, etc.)

I'm lucky that we have a lot of family in town and could easily call someone to come help if we got in a jam.

I don't know if it is radical but I hang up ziploc bags on the clothes line.  dd reuses them for her bathing suit after swimming.

I also continue to make my own household cleaners.

Line dry all but jeans and towels outside when the weather permits. I have a line in the basement strung up, and a drying rack to use during the colder months. 

I don't have a dryer, so I have had to hang up all my clothes, even in the winter (if you get 1-2 hours of wind and sun it can knock a lot off).

Buy things USED, I hardly ever buy anything new....  

I too say no

I don't think these things are too radical though!  

I dont think these are "radical" but we:

Rarely eat out. If we do, its a quick fast and in a hurry thing and we usually hit places up that have a $ menu. We also drink water, not pop or soda, with our on the go meals.(most people I know eat out several times a week and its at sit down places)

I hang my laundry out, weather permitting. (most people I know use the dryer for EVERYTHING)

I will go DAYS..every now and then a week or longer at a time before we go anywhere.(Most people I know will leave several times a DAY...and not just going to work either)

Grow a small garden and tend to it every day.(Most people would rather BUY fresh produce)

Shop goodwill for clothing and household items. (Most people I know refuse to walk into the doors)

I also tell myself NO...On a REGULAR basis...

I do without nice clothing and other little luxuries.

I dont keep cash on hand either. Too tempting to spend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by abbie15 


Diane, would you be willing to share more about how you do this? (Like what your columns and/or rows are labeled?) I really want to start doing this, but can't seem to find a good way to start.

Well, Dh tells me the way I do it is hard to understand, but it works for me.  The columns are labeled with our expenses.  You can just change them to fit your needs.  For example, I have one column for house expenses which includes our mortgage, electric/gas, phone, cable, etc.  You might want to break that down.  I also have three columns for college--one for each of the girls--and I lump all the expenses into that, tuition, room/board, books, food, etc. according to whose it is.

My columns are: 

1. Date
2. Description of Expense
3. Grocery
4. Gas
5. Eating Out
6. Entertainment
7. Gifts
8. Clothing
9. Misc.
10. House Expenses
11. Car Expenses/Insurance
12. Medical Expenses
13. Donations
14. College

At the bottom I have a line with formulas to total them all.  Then we can see how much we overspent that month compared to our take home pay--yes, we always overspend.  Here's a worksheet I found online that looks similar to mine.  You can view it without giving your email by scrolling down and hitting view screenshot:

Free Expense Tracking Sheet

Here are two more:

Daily Expense Worksheet 

Daily expense tracker