As 2006 came to a close, and opened the door for a brand new year, I spent some time as I do every year reflecting on the changes I’ve made, what still needs some work, and what I can overlook. It is no different when it comes to frugal living.
New Year’s is a great time to take a good hard look at your spending habits, to look again at how your frugality is working out for you, and to invent or try new ways to save more money.
I always spend the first few months of every year trying out new ways to save that I might not otherwise have tried or that I felt might be too difficult to incorporate into my daily existence but now is the time to start.
My personal Frugal Goals for 2007 are:
Use More Coupons
With the Deals Forum here at families.com as a wonderful resource for coupon-ing, how can I not use more and not find ways to use them better. At my fingertips I have ideas and advice from other coupon using friends who will enable me to make better choices in what I buy and when I buy it.
Eat Out Less
Actually from a year ago, our eating out days have gone to the wayside, but we still do it far too often. Having a love for cooking, a passion for freezer cooking and the help and dedication of five children to work in the kitchen with me, there is absolutely no reason why we cannot eat at home more often.
Eat Healthier and Drink More Water
There is a myth that in order to eat healthier, one must spend more. Not exactly the case for us. I would just like to stop purchasing convenience foods, and other snacks riddled with calories and carbs and focus on eating more fruits and veggies, and drink more water! It’s a sure way to save!
Cut Clothing Costs and Other Fabric Goods
Having access to a wonderful, high functioning sewing machine, I have resolved to learn how to use it! Thankfully my significant other is already rather well versed in how to use it and he even helped me sew the kids Christmas Pageant costumes (can we say role reversal?). Anyway, we have agreed to learn how to sew some simple patterns together and try out making some decorative items for our home as well as items for the kids. If clothes are any exception, we’re going to give that a try too!
Although there are dozens of ways that I plan to be more frugal this year, and dozens of ways you can be too, I will refrain from adding anymore. What else will I have to write about?
Have a great 2007! May it be Financially freeing!