How does everyone stay motivated to save money and live frugally? I'm new to the forum and was wondering how you all stay motivated when sometimes the reward seems so far away? I would love to hear what you have to say! Thanks

Sometimes it's hard but I've found that by making a game of it, it seems to be not as daunting.

I'm constantly reviewing our finances, budgets, daily spending etc. to see where I can cut back or creatively use our resources. Every time I find a savings I'm energized to look for more.

For example, we are going away this weekend and I am bringing dessert and salad. I found a recipe that used the ingredients I had in the house, and after a little motification I had a "virtual" saving of over $8.00.

Some might say "it's only $8.00" but that is eight more to put on a bill or save in the bank.

I also find that keeping close tab on this website, as well as other frugal favorites, I know I'm not alone, and drink up the enthusiasm of others.

The last thing I do is realize two things:
1. Any debt that we have, WE aquired, not someone else so it is up to us to get rid of it.
2. I am making a choice to live frugally for more reasons than just paying off and saving, so it doesn't make any sense to feel deprived or discouraged. It's just the way it is.

__________________
Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
What have you taught your child today?
When life throws you a curve ball...it's up to you how you catch it!

My motivation is wanting to be SAHM. Currnetly, I am working in order to pay down our debt. We have a goal of paying it off by the end of the year and that is when I hope I can quit my job. I think kids are a great motivation.

Ditto! I am also working to pay off our debt and save as much as possible before October when my contract is up for renewal... I hope not to renew My kiddos and making a home for my DH are my motivation.

This is a great question ... How do we stay motivated?

I have my ups and downs. Much like dieting. 90% of the time I eat well, 10% of the time I eat garbage. If I ate well 99% of the time, I'd probably be at my goal weight by now.

I save well 90% of the time and I make poor financial choices 10% of the time.

I find if I push myself too hard in either dieting or saving, I rebel against myself and eat too much and buy too much. I have to allow for indulgences or I'd feel deprived and deprivation leads to overspending and overeating.

None of us are perfect. The truth is the next two weeks - between Valentines and my birthday - are my worst times for spending and for eating. I faced serious temptation yesterday and went as far as having hundreds of dollars worth of things in my online 'shopping cart'. Fortunately I didn't go through with it, but it's hard to stay motivated sometimes.

How do the rest of you stay motivated?

__________________

I think what motivates me is neccessity. I NEED to be frugal. If I don't save, we won't have money down the road for retirement, for college, for neccessities. If you're not frugal, it's like throwing money away. I tell my 16 yr old, "Would you throw $$ down the trash?" Well, that's what you do when you buy things you don't need.

We have a goal amount we will reach if we stick to the plan and when I feel tempted to be bad, I tell myself that number. The goal amount really symbolizes the house we want to someday buy and the future we want, so just saying the amount (whether aloud or to myself) gets me to walk away from the magazine rack, or to not just say, "Oh I'm tired. Take-out night." That probably sounds silly but it works for me.

__________________
~Vicki~
Mama to Hailey, 4 and Ella, 2

I keep a record of our debt reduction so I can keep track of our progress.

My kids are the greatest motivation. Someday I want to be able to help them with college. I want them involved in sports, gymnastics, etc so this is another motivational factor for me.

quite honestly, reading Mommysavers and other internet sites keeps me going and going to do my best.

__________________
CHOO CHOO YOUR WAY TO SAVINGS
http://mommysavers.com/boards/coupon...rain-here.html
http://mommysavers.com/boards/coupon...ader-info.html

I guess the best thing I can say is. I do it mainly bc I'm sick of keeping up with the jones. Being frugal is so much easier.