Monday, July 16th, 2007
How to make the dollar stretch further
I’ve always been a frugal person, having been raised in the country side in southern China with what little money my parents made, food was just enough to go around the 5 of us (my great grandmother lived with us and raised my brother and I while our parents worked 15+ hour days, every day of the week). Luxuries were fairy tales that I hear from various sources like books and magazines, or better-off relatives who lived far away and couldn’t be bothered with us poor folk.
I started helping my parents in their tiny rice patties since I was barely 2 years old, picking veggies and planting rice, all the way until I came to the US at 12. And then proceeded to do another lifetime’s work at my grandparents restaurant, doing everything from cooking to cashier to waitressing to busing tables to rolling egg rolls for 20 hours during the weekends (and getting paid next to nothing…), until I went off to college at the age of 18, where I worked many part time jobs in which one of those semesters I held 3 jobs.
This upbringing has given me a unique perspective regarding finance that’s very unusual, at least in American society. And it’s sharper than ever because I’ve been staying home for 2.5 yrs now without making a red cent.
I’m one of those people at the supermarket or store comparing prices using a calculator, so I know exactly how much per ounce it costs to buy this smaller bottle of juice vs. that bigger bottle of juice (and buy the one that costs less per ounce). I have Costco membership so I can buy bulk.
I shop around and compare prices, making mental notes everywhere I go. I strive to only buy “staple” items on sale, things like socks, underwear, toilet paper, tooth brushes, flour, sugar… well you get the idea.
At the end of seasons, I browse the mall for sales and buy our kids’ clothes for next year, estimating their sizes. I generally don’t buy name brand stuff. The other day one of my friends mentioned LV handbags… I said “what is that???” 
I haven’t bought anything for myself for a long time. Before we moved, one of our then-neighbors gave me 4 huge bags of hand-me-down clothes that are just my style and size. I was beyond thrilled!!! So I cleaned out my own closet and finally rid off some of the clothes I’ve been wearing and hanging onto since high school, or even before that.
I recycle grocery bags into trash bags. I cook in batch and freeze, less than I’d like to though. I group my errands together to save gas and time. I clip coupons only for things that I normally buy. (clipping coupons is good, but it’s only good if you buy stuff that you need, not stuff that you (might) want simply because it’s on sale)
We go to the library quite a bit. We never go to the movies anymore, nor do we rent any movies. We hardly go out to eat, and when we do, there’s usually a coupon for a small discount. We used to have Voice Over IP phone service for our land line. Two months ago we got cable TV for the first time ever. Well sometimes you have to splurge a little!
I don’t know if any of these will ensure us an early retirement. I hope so.
These habits may be extreme for many people, but this is what works for us. Not to mention we definitely need it for the sake of our bank account.
on Monday, July 16th, 2007 at 7:15 am:
I could really use habits like these. I have been working full time since I was 16 usually at more than one job and…I now (thanks to my divorce) live at my parent’s house and I have (no kidding) $60 in the bank. Yup. It’s bad. Not to mention the fact that I am starting college in the Fall with attempts to get a Medical Doctorate. I really need to make some huge changes with the way I handle my money.
Thanks for the tips.
on Monday, July 16th, 2007 at 4:07 pm:
I can be pretty frugal too, I have many of the same habits. I grew up in a family of seven kids, so I learned a lot of it from my mom.
on Monday, July 16th, 2007 at 9:29 pm:
I buy clothes for myself only once a year ie during Chinese New Year and people are often amazed that I own just one handbag and shoe (boring black) because it goes with everything. Now, I have a few more but they’re still little compared to what most of my friends own. Hehe.
on Thursday, July 19th, 2007 at 2:49 pm:
came here from vivien’s blog. i too trying to be frugal as i am a sahm, no full time job. i also worked a few jobs while i was in college. i wear 1 pair of shoes at a time until is so ugly and broken, then i’ll use another shoe. also like you, been shopping for my boy’s next year clothing during the sales this year. just estimate the size. shouldn’t be that difficult.
on Thursday, July 19th, 2007 at 7:34 pm:
Oh! How come I can’t find your reply to me here but I saw it in my email? Anyway, to answer your question, yes I am in Malaysia. West Malaysia and it is hot here.
on Saturday, July 21st, 2007 at 11:44 pm:
mumsgather, I answered your comment by replying to your email instead of posting here