out on anything as you are trying to save more and/or spend less? Is there something that you have stopped doing or stopped purchasing that you truely miss (cable, manicures, etc)?

We miss Starbucks! We thought a few years ago that we could make our own caramel macchiato's, so we purchased a high dollar espresso machine and the stuff needed....yeah, it is so not the same! We just get discouraged b/c we feel like no matter how good we are doing financially, we still have to pinch pennies to make it.

No, we do not feel like we are missing out on anything. In fact, I feel like my family is closer than ever. We spend less time in stores and more time with each other playing games, going to the park, etc.

I've always been pretty low maintenance. I honestly hate going to the salon. Crazy. I know. We figured that DH who is almost completely bald was spending more money on his haircuts than I did on mine! Now I cut both DH's and DS's hair.

Since I'm spending less money and actually know where my money is going, I feel less stressed. I'm more content with life than ever before!

i miss cable.

a lot.

but i do not miss paying for it. they only way i will ever have cable again is if it is included in my rent of an apartment.

__________________
My choices yesterday create my today. My choices today create my tomorrow.

No. We get a zoo membership every year so we spend a lot of time at the zoo compared to doing other things but IMO it's a great way to enjoy time as a family and get some fresh air. Seeing the animals is a huge plus.

I have a friend who has been pressuring me to join the local sport & racket club in order to join friends at the pool. It's not cheap. I don't think she means any harm, but we just look at things differently. I keep telling her no, not now, because we are working toward some big financial goals. (I don't go into detail). She said, "Yeah, but your kids are only young once and I don't want mine to miss out on anything." I was speechless. Does she really think that having a membership to a pool is all that?

Better question was the one I asked myself, "Do I care?" And the answer is no. Much in line with the Forget the Jones' idea. My kids have a great life, and if their parents are less stressed and feeling happier and happier because their financial goals are being met, then that's a great gift to them, IMO. Not only that, it teaches them how to wisely manage their own money, and that's a gift, too.

::::::::stepping off soapbox:::::::::::::

__________________
Attaining financial freedom is like eating an elephant . . . it takes one bite at a time.

No. I always seem to find things to do around my home to keep me busy rather than go out and spend money.

I have to say that we don't really miss anything. We are all homebodies, so we enjoy our time at home, plus we have a farm, so there is always something to do.

I do my best so that DD doesn't feel like she's missing out on things, so we have kept up with her weekly playdate at McDonald's. We have always done this, and cutting it out would have made her feel left out, I'm sure. So we still go. I don't eat there and DD usually just eats apples (I feed her before we go and we take our own water bottles...LOL). She gets to go and play with friends, I get some mommy time with a friend, but we really minimize our $$ spent.

__________________

We miss eatting out. Really I do, the kids don't mind. I am finding that the kitchen is taking alot of time to clean these days.

__________________
Want to save some green? Join a coupon train.

I had to think about this question for a bit. And you know what? The answer is, No!

Yes, I like eating out but really it is more about impulse and convience than the actual food we get. While I like getting new things, I really have never cared to shop and currently I have more than I know what to do with. And I'm enjoying having a little more money at the end of each pay period.

Good question!