What I mean is, people think I am crazy when i pull out my coupon binder, or see my baggies hanging to dry, find out that we only have a food budget of $80 a month or that we don't have cable or internet.

So how many of you are frugal by choice or just to get by?

We are frugal by choice. However, there were definitely times in our marriage that we had to be frugal by necessity. Plus, we both came from frugal households so that kind of lifestyle was ingrained in both of us from an early age.

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I like to think that we're frugal by necessity turning into choice!

Well, I'm by no means the most frugal person (compared to others on this site). I am "conscious" about looking for good values, etc. I don't tend to live extravagently (although I splurge at times). For me I think it started in necessity, being young and broke, and just became a habit/lifestyle. DH and I make decent money, but I still don't spend money on clothes often and I still shop for the sales, etc.

I have just now started to be more aware and frugal out of necessity. Our spending got out of hand and we found ourselves in a fair amount of debt. NOW my objective is to pay off that debt as soon as possible and then continue with the frugal lifestyle by choice.

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Grace

Wife to Stoney

Mommy of Sarah (8.5), Hannah (7), and John(4.5)

When I first started out it was frugal by choice, which is a good thing because I was a slow learner...it seems the more I learn, the more necessary it is.

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Wendy~Self-proclaimed hippie momma to Bob and Jamie

It has always been frugal by choice, but since I am quitting my job it will be necessary!

Well- starting out were we not too "frugal"- there were certain things I would get for next to nothing and other things I would pay more on. Then when we were both laid off and pregnant with #2 it became a necessity. Now it is a little of both- mainly by choice though.

In the beginning it was a little of both - choice and necessity. Now, with the economy the way that it is and gas prices rising, it's necessity. I use coupons, shop sales and discount stores, and have really limited my driving. We don't go out and have cut back tremendously. It's hard but will be worth it in the long run.

It used to be a necessity. It's not any more, but it's become a habit.