tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post7459575503712795026..comments2023-09-28T03:40:46.056-07:00Comments on Frugal and Thankful: The lessons from my childhood...Lenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-35925911638171357232013-11-17T07:12:50.061-08:002013-11-17T07:12:50.061-08:00Funny how now in North America women are trying re...Funny how now in North America women are trying reusable pads to save money :) Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02410176479138340024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-78063788729827252712013-11-15T17:51:41.196-08:002013-11-15T17:51:41.196-08:00my parents are still very frugal...if they could n...my parents are still very frugal...if they could not afford it, then they would not buy it. They bought everything with cash (so to cut out the interest rate) minus their home. I definitely took after my dad...Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02785196779476490372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-23039208083523876932013-11-15T14:42:05.147-08:002013-11-15T14:42:05.147-08:00That is interesting, and after brief reflection, I...That is interesting, and after brief reflection, I did spend exactly like my mother (who raised me) all through my young adult life, and I paid dearly for it having to restore my credit. ;)mail4roseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17850985344834209198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-57014178278425849372013-11-15T10:49:22.898-08:002013-11-15T10:49:22.898-08:00My parents were VERY frugal - nothing got thrown o...My parents were VERY frugal - nothing got thrown out and both my mom and dad had many tricks to stretch my dad's small paycheque - my dad used to hunt every Saturday and bring home rabbits to stretch the grocery budget, he also used to bring home watercress, elderberries etc growing in the wild when out on his jaunts. My mom was a gifted writer so she wrote children's stories which were published in magazines and schoolbooks. We never felt like we were poor. Their frugal ways have passed on to all 5 of us kids - we really know how to stretch a buck!Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02803104035204416080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-1990031622520713462013-11-15T09:29:37.419-08:002013-11-15T09:29:37.419-08:00It's really hard to see your loved ones strugg...It's really hard to see your loved ones struggling like this. It brakes my heart to see my Grandma buying and buying stuff that she doesn't need, can't use, yet she can't stop. My Mom pays some of her bills every months, so she wouldn't lose her place. It's tough! <br /><br />I think, you've learned a lot from the mistakes your parents made, and you are definitely on the right path!Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-49496750844083555902013-11-15T09:26:09.645-08:002013-11-15T09:26:09.645-08:00One thing I've learned from months of unemploy...One thing I've learned from months of unemployment is that hardships are much easier when you know how to balance your finances and to stay frugal! I'm glad you took the best from the lessons of your childhood.Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-2386623199527411442013-11-15T09:23:54.525-08:002013-11-15T09:23:54.525-08:00Hey, hey, hey!! Glad to see you here, and thank yo...Hey, hey, hey!! Glad to see you here, and thank you for leaving a comment :) And I do remember...umm... reusable pads...Considering the fact that my parents got their first washing machine well into my teenage years, it's not exactly a memory I want to bring back, lol :)<br /><br />I think, living in Estonia was a little different for my grandparents and their kids because my Grandpa was high up in the Russian army down in Tallinn, hence decent income, prestige and, most importantly, connections (obviously, only until they were asked to leave the country. That was a rude awakening for them!), and my Grandma's place of employment gave her access to almost anything and everything they needed.. for the right price, of course :)<br /><br />But I know exactly what you mean when it comes to debt because the only debt we could get into back then was when you borrow 3 rubles from your neighbor until the next pay day :) My grandparents were well set but the weren't rich by any means.<br /><br />Most of my childhood my parents were poor. I remember when our tiny black-and-white TV broke down, it took them three years to replace it! But then almost everybody else was too :) But after the USSR fell, my Mom kept her frugal habits and my Dad, I think, is trying to catch up on everything he missed, lol! They still manage to find their own balance somehow, and I'm grateful that I can learn from both of them!Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-69328359413658797852013-11-15T09:02:40.865-08:002013-11-15T09:02:40.865-08:00It's wonderful, Susan! Being deft-free definit...It's wonderful, Susan! Being deft-free definitely sets you free :)Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-34233873018957736862013-11-15T09:01:43.067-08:002013-11-15T09:01:43.067-08:00Amen to that, Terri! I've seen so many blessin...Amen to that, Terri! I've seen so many blessings in my life from paying tithing. There were times when it was very close but we always had enough!Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-84039547477879962822013-11-15T09:00:09.074-08:002013-11-15T09:00:09.074-08:00You are an inspiration for me, Nan! I'm still ...You are an inspiration for me, Nan! I'm still working on this balance between wants and needs but I'm getting better and better every year :) I don't mind having or wanting nicer things in life but for the price that you can comfortably afford.Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-80717834108818885622013-11-15T08:41:41.172-08:002013-11-15T08:41:41.172-08:00I'm really happy that you are on the right pat...I'm really happy that you are on the right path right now and trying to do your best for your family!Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-57092457225681494062013-11-15T08:39:38.020-08:002013-11-15T08:39:38.020-08:00Your family sounds a lot like mine, Theresa! :) I ...Your family sounds a lot like mine, Theresa! :) I think, my Dad would be eating Ramen noodles by the end of the month if it wasn't for my Mom :)Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-83911605133542290432013-11-15T08:36:58.345-08:002013-11-15T08:36:58.345-08:00I'm glad you can share your experience with us...I'm glad you can share your experience with us. It gives me hope :) And I personally know how you can do the opposite from what you've been taught. I guess, in my case I can always blame it on another parent, lol :)Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-87672723260046461002013-11-15T08:30:14.767-08:002013-11-15T08:30:14.767-08:00Yes, I'm still working on this balance too :) ...Yes, I'm still working on this balance too :) I think, a few rude life awakenings - like health problems- helped me a lot along the way!Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-36754268986881731912013-11-15T08:28:33.283-08:002013-11-15T08:28:33.283-08:00That is a wonderful idea. We try to include kids t...That is a wonderful idea. We try to include kids too, at least a 7-year old because ever since he started school, the amount of wants" (or "needs" in his mind :) has increased dramatically. It does bring him back to reality when we talk money with him in a simple way. Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-91106595764696146492013-11-15T08:25:25.625-08:002013-11-15T08:25:25.625-08:00Thank you, Cindy! I've definitely learned a lo...Thank you, Cindy! I've definitely learned a lot and still learning :)Lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064081200654561079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-68021785633600410642013-11-15T00:30:03.055-08:002013-11-15T00:30:03.055-08:00My parents are both terrible with money and I foll...My parents are both terrible with money and I followed their lead. My Mum is a spender - but has the money and just wastes it. My Dad was a gambler and now has no money in his old age. I had terrible money habits until I hit 40, then I finally woke up....thankfully.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-24315908969311894842013-11-14T23:19:09.793-08:002013-11-14T23:19:09.793-08:00Great post Lena. My used to like spending and got ...Great post Lena. My used to like spending and got herself into debt a few times. My dad was careful and insisted on saving for items before buying. Because dad was careful he was able to bale mum out. I am very lucky in that I have inherited dads carefulness and weigh up all possibilities before making a decision and never been in debt. I have learnt so much from some frugal blogs that I am still managing to keep my head above water during my current chapter in life.<br /><br />CarolxCarolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04332392686031711784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-39415823682148002832013-11-14T23:07:15.140-08:002013-11-14T23:07:15.140-08:00Greetings from Estonia! I have been reading your b...Greetings from Estonia! I have been reading your blog for a while but have not commented until now.<br />I am 32, so I remember the Soviet times quite well. There were so many things that people in the "West" don't understand like permits to buy furniture, cars, washing machine etc. You could have all the money in the world but if you didn't have a "permit of purchase", you could not buy the thing you needed. So it was difficult to get into consumer debt as there was a constant lack of any and all kind of consumer goods. For example, disposable sanitary towels or tampons did not exist (and for that reason were not on sale in shops) until almost 1990. Ladies, do you want to imagine that? <br />My parents have always been hard-working and selfsufficient (as you had to be in Soviet times if you wanted to have clothes or make renovations etc) but they did not share the state of our finances with us. The other problem was that I never had a fixed amount of pocket money or allowance to learn to manage with a set amount of money for a set time period. I have had to learn that the hard way and that is the reason why both my daughters get fixed monthly pocket money from the time they start school. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-11619427409761208692013-11-14T16:50:56.745-08:002013-11-14T16:50:56.745-08:00This is so interesting! My parents were always go...This is so interesting! My parents were always good with money-budgeting and bargain shopping. Unfortunately in my 20s I went the opposite way and got into some credit card debt. Thankfully now my husband and I are on the same page-we're both very frugal and debt free!<br />Susanmust love junkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00809616307382178089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-24388188294178841352013-11-14T15:25:09.028-08:002013-11-14T15:25:09.028-08:00I could write a book. Instead it seemed better to ...I could write a book. Instead it seemed better to link to my blog posts with my story: http://bluehousejournal.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-family-financial-history-part-1.html will take you to Part 1 of 2 parts. Needless to say my family's history of finances dictated my financial life as an adult until I learned to do differently. I love what Teresa said above about her mother tithing and turning over every dollar after that to God. We do the same, praying over the check when it comes in and praying over how it is used for bills and spending. It's amazing the way the money has covered needs despite lack of raises over the years. Just last week I had to buy new shoes and we made another purchase (saving money in the future by buying now) and we still had a little over from the last check. I am astonished each time I make a meal, even though I try to cook only for two at how our foods stretch into extra meals. I give it all to learning all we could and trusting God for wisdom.<br />terricheneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865436021565986224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-88072376022447068512013-11-14T11:48:07.997-08:002013-11-14T11:48:07.997-08:00I think we are born with some of the instincts of ...I think we are born with some of the instincts of money management ...the old 'nature' vs 'nurture', in fact. I am very systematic in saving and keeping track of my money, and have been from a young age, even when I had only few pennies of pocket money to manage. The rest of my family are completely opposite, so I don't think I learned this from them. <br /><br />I know people who really like their possessions, and I think to some extent this is fine, if you live within your means, and it is something that you truly want. I think it took me a while to understand what kind of a personality I am, and buy things that I needed or wanted, not because all the Joneses had them. <br /><br />NanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-67534877613762191852013-11-14T09:40:12.872-08:002013-11-14T09:40:12.872-08:00My parents were TERRIBLE with money. They were al...My parents were TERRIBLE with money. They were always in debt, never made enough money, always drove broken down cars, lived in run down houses, etc etc. I learned absolutely nothing from them, not even how to grocery shop LOL They never discussed household bills with us, their kids, and as a result, I had no clue regarding how to run a house or how to budget, how to shop, save, etc. It's a shame because, although my parents seem to be better with regard to managing money, I have still had to tell my father that he can't afford to trade in a perfectly good car for a gas guzzling truck that he feels he must have to impress other people. When I told him that, he looked at me as though he had never considered the financial ramifications of owning a larger vehicle. I shake my head. My finances were a wreck for decades but they aren't any longer, thank goodness. Now, I seem to be the one telling my parents what they can and can't afford LOLQuesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18132950764844608518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-67613423142904451302013-11-14T07:22:59.089-08:002013-11-14T07:22:59.089-08:00My mom and dad both grew up poor in large families...My mom and dad both grew up poor in large families in Newfoundland. They were strict Roman Catholic and birth control was frowned upon then, so babies kept coming. My moms dad became an alcoholic later in life, but somehow managed to squirrel away a lot of money. My mom is amazing with money. I attribute this to her having grown up poor but also to her coming to Christ at 24 and faithfully giving to the Lord and committing every dollar to him since. Though my mom stayed home while we were growing up and has never worked full time, she managed my fathers income well. My parents are very comfortable in retirement and they are the most unselfish and generous people I know. I aspire to be more like my mom. <br /><br />My father would be like your father if not for my mom. My father would likely have nothing to show for his hard work if he did not have my moms guidance in finances. He grew up poor too, and joined the military at 18. I admire my fathers faith in the Lord and his integrity. My father always wanted me to avoid mistakes he had made with money, but in doing so was partly responsible for me being completely indecisive. I agonize over making money decisions because I do not want to make a mistake. So I suppose I learned a bit from both my mom and dad. I am glad I did. Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00948148571415167380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4519986092114737286.post-24952545403838940342013-11-14T05:11:05.895-08:002013-11-14T05:11:05.895-08:00You never know with kids whether they will do just...You never know with kids whether they will do just what their parents did or the opposite. However, both my husband and I learned from our parents to spend within our means and be very careful with debt. We follow that today. Our kids seemed to have learned the same lessons.Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.com