Chambersburg area family lives the frugal life

umm...he's a school teacher and she's an occupational therapist...don't think that they deal with being "in need" very often. Let's focus on real families who only have 1 job or no jobs and tell me how they are living frugal.

hahah. ya. they whent on vacation. how frugal is that?

i liked the story but i am with the other lady, my husband and i live paycheck-paycheck, and have to pay out $600.00 a month in child support for his daughter. we also have a child together. We could use some tips on how to save.

momma of 3 wrote:

umm...he's a school teacher and she's an occupational therapist...don't think that they deal with being "in need" very often. Let's focus on real families who only have 1 job or no jobs and tell me how they are living frugal.

Yes, Momma, he is protected by a thuggish teachers' union that conducts strikes as school starts throughout the state to demand pay raises. He is in no danger of losing work. He can be a competent teacher or an incompetent teacher. No matter. He is protected.

You people would take a story like this and turn it into a negative post. These are some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet. So what you are saying is that even a family like this isn't entitled to take a vacation?
Did you ever consider that of the people living check to check....how many of them go through a carton of cigarettes a week or a case of beer a week? Do the math here, I don't smoke but I guess a carton of cigs runs about 30$. Multiply that 30 by 52 and you'll see a large chunck of money. I really do feel genuinely sympathetic for the ones that are struggling but don't bash these people.

Maybe you all missed the point...she's always been frugal. The fact that they know how to live within their means tells you that they aren't living paycheck to paycheck. Why begrudge them that, or a vacation? Read the article, glean what you can from it (shop consignment); and if you need to sacrifice something (no HDTV or gaming system, perhaps?) so you have extra pocket money, then do so but to begrudge them a vacation is uncalled for.

I liked the article...it inspires me to find ways to cut corners.

wow thats really all i havw to say i know with the economy being like it is i know everyone is struggling to get by and its hard but i do have a ? for rachel what if a person cant sew or do things on there own to save money im a family of five well chris knows us my son was in his class and im sure he well knows him dillion blessing and we sruggle we just get by with no money left and we do have a trip coming up that i have to pay on for the next couple of months yet so if u could tell me what i could do trust me i would be willing to listen we dont go where cause of gas so most of the time we r home not doing much kids go fishing the two youngest ones we have a crrek near by the olderst does work but other then that we do nothing thank you i really enjoyed reading this

I have a good acquaintance like this.

We just call him "cheap" or "tight."

He never enjoys himself, nor his Life, and he is a misery to spend time with. He will only go where he can use coupons, drives a 30-year old car that is unsafe, unhealthy for the environment, and literally falling apart. He wears the same flannel shirts and jeans and sneakers he bought in the early 1970s. And he will admonish anyone who prefers to spend any amount of money on anything - especially if he views it as wasteful spending and un-needed.

There is such a thing as being cost-conscious, which I am, then there is being "so tight you squeak."

Norma wrote:

<quoted text>Yes, Momma, he is protected by a thuggish teachers' union that conducts strikes as school starts throughout the state to demand pay raises. He is in no danger of losing work. He can be a competent teacher or an incompetent teacher. No matter. He is protected.

Well this post is just entirely false. Evidently you're one of the people who just hates Obama simply for winning the election and won't listen to things he says.

franklin county res wrote:

i liked the story but i am with the other lady, my husband and i live paycheck-paycheck, and have to pay out $600.00 a month in child support for his daughter. we also have a child together. We could use some tips on how to save.

Hmmm, maybe the choices we make in life are important. If you got yourself into the situation you described, it's your responsibility to take care of it. Seems to me that the family in the article have done all the correct things in life and they should be applauded, not criticized. Maybe you're another one waiting for Obama to come and help you? Well, the joke's on you!

haha wrote:

Maybe you all missed the point...she's always been frugal. The fact that they know how to live within their means tells you that they aren't living paycheck to paycheck. Why begrudge them that, or a vacation? Read the article, glean what you can from it (shop consignment); and if you need to sacrifice something (no HDTV or gaming system, perhaps?) so you have extra pocket money, then do so but to begrudge them a vacation is uncalled for.
I liked the article...it inspires me to find ways to cut corners.

I agree this family inspires me to implement cost saving practices in my home with my family. I enjoy reading these kinds of articles and wish them the best,keep up the good work.

As far as the complainers... Don't begrudge this family and find the positive which this article has focused on.

I'm sorry, but the idea of wearing clothes from a second hand shop just kind grosses me out, you never know who wore it first, I don't care if it was washed or not. I'd rather shell out the extra money for clothes that I'm the first owner on.
I also think it's funny how the couple says how frugal they are yet at the end it mentions the hubby taking golf trips, as a 'golf widow' I can tell you that the equipment and days on the green aren't cheap.

my two cents wrote:

I'm sorry, but the idea of wearing clothes from a second hand shop just kind grosses me out, you never know who wore it first, I don't care if it was washed or not. I'd rather shell out the extra money for clothes that I'm the first owner on.
I also think it's funny how the couple says how frugal they are yet at the end it mentions the hubby taking golf trips, as a 'golf widow' I can tell you that the equipment and days on the green aren't cheap.

You don't get the point here. They can afford their vacations because they live frugally day to day. These are decisions people make every day. Some have to have their four dollar coffee daily, others save it and buy something more permanent. Frugal does not mean cheap - it means you don't waste.

my two cents wrote:

I'm sorry, but the idea of wearing clothes from a second hand shop just kind grosses me out, you never know who wore it first, I don't care if it was washed or not. I'd rather shell out the extra money for clothes that I'm the first owner on.
I also think it's funny how the couple says how frugal they are yet at the end it mentions the hubby taking golf trips, as a 'golf widow' I can tell you that the equipment and days on the green aren't cheap.

I am not a big fan of the idea of buying used clothing either however~it is their choice...if she wants to buy used clothing so hubby can golf and the family can take a vacation...who are we to criticize?

sugarheart wrote:

wow thats really all i havw to say i know with the economy being like it is i know everyone is struggling to get by and its hard but i do have a ? for rachel what if a person cant sew or do things on there own to save money im a family of five well chris knows us my son was in his class and im sure he well knows him dillion blessing and we sruggle we just get by with no money left and we do have a trip coming up that i have to pay on for the next couple of months yet so if u could tell me what i could do trust me i would be willing to listen we dont go where cause of gas so most of the time we r home not doing much kids go fishing the two youngest ones we have a crrek near by the olderst does work but other then that we do nothing thank you i really enjoyed reading this

There are places where you can learn to sew for free. The House of Grace is one of them. They take women from all walks of life (regardless of income) and teach them life skils they may have missed. I teach a couponing class there.
Coupons are another way to really save money. I routinely save 75%-90% on food and HBA. Not having to pay for things like toothpaste, deoderant, toothbrushes, many types of cleaners and lots of other stuff, really frees up the money.
My hubby works FT making only about $10/hr and I work PT (for health reasons)avg. about $12/hr. I suppose we'd be eligible for Fs but because I am able to save so much we don't need them and we have $ in the bank and don't have to scrounge for change for gas.
Everyone needs toiletpaper,deoderant, soap and thing like that (you just have to get over being "brand snob") and before anyone says all the food coupons are for "junk" look around because i find coupons all the time for things like 4 of produce and meat purchases in grocery store flyers and booklets.
hotcouponworld.com and afullcup.com are some free sites where you can find out the hot deals going on @ local stores, how to maximize the use of extra bucks (@CvS) Register Rewards (@ Walgreens) and sales cycles

my two cents wrote:

I'm sorry, but the idea of wearing clothes from a second hand shop just kind grosses me out, you never know who wore it first, I don't care if it was washed or not. I'd rather shell out the extra money for clothes that I'm the first owner on.
I also think it's funny how the couple says how frugal they are yet at the end it mentions the hubby taking golf trips, as a 'golf widow' I can tell you that the equipment and days on the green aren't cheap.

LOL! just remebr the next time you buy "new" clothes that they may have been tried on by someone who "goes comando" or returned and retagged, ya never know.
I love thrift stores and consignment, I just wash really well.

I'd like to apologize for anyone who took offense to this article. I know many of us have different definitions of the word "frugal." True, the fact that we go on vacation and golf trips isn't what most readers would consider "frugal." So maybe a better title would've been something with the word "budget" in it. That's what I feel I do. Budget. Bottom line is, it's all about choices we make. We all budget our money differently, and do what's best for our family. Not everyone agrees, buy hey! That's what makes the world an interesting place!

Rachel Monheim wrote:

I'd like to apologize for anyone who took offense to this article. I know many of us have different definitions of the word "frugal." True, the fact that we go on vacation and golf trips isn't what most readers would consider "frugal." So maybe a better title would've been something with the word "budget" in it. That's what I feel I do. Budget. Bottom line is, it's all about choices we make. We all budget our money differently, and do what's best for our family. Not everyone agrees, buy hey! That's what makes the world an interesting place!

I really liked the piece. In my mind, you've more than earned your vacations. BTW, my son Julian says HI! to "Mr. Monheim" He's excited that one of his past teachers is in the paper, LOL!

all u ppl are rude you dont have respect for anyone except ur self and if thats the case then dont bash ppl for trying to save a penny when it is posible when u have young kids it almost makes sence to shop consignment when the kids not going to fit the clothes in a month y should u go and spend 4O+$ on a brand new pair of pants doesnt make sence now whe they get in school and they are arnt growing like weeds then ill buy my kids brand new clothes

Frugal? or just plain down Tight....the point is, this is a story that should have been under the column called "Who Cares"?
Most of these type of people are not fun to be around. They usually are users not givers, they spend most of the time they have figuring out ways to get something free from someone else. Yeah, they give the guy a "gift" for the vacation home....would they be as kind and giving as him? I doubt it. They would spend an hour in line at one of the warehouse stores to get the family a free piece of cheese and then rush over and get in the next line for a free sample of cheerios, call that lunch and go home without buying anything.
They go to every free picnic they can barge in on but never have friends and family over for a "free" picnic at thier house unless everyone brought everything needed.
When you talk to them ,they spend all the "free" time they have in the conversation telling you how much they saved that week and what all they got for "free". They made a pair of pants for the kids from a potato sack and are so proud or went to the movies using box tops they saved for tickets.
This particular family may not be as bad as all this, but I know plenty who are and to me it just does not make sense to be this "frugal" unless you need to be. There was a day I had to be frugal and I learned how to survive and am glad to have that knowledge just in case it gets to the point I need to fall back on lessons learned, but to live your whole life that way just to say you are frugal is crazy in my opinion.
Now that you are famous you can cut this story out and make paper hats to wear on your birthday. You save money and have a hat with your picture on it to boot! Life is way to short to live it this way!