photo © 2010 Jeffrey Beall | more info (via: Wylio)
When I first started Family Friendly Frugality, I knew I wanted to approach frugal living from a very relaxed and welcoming mindset. I wanted to create a blog about frugal living that didn’t leave people feeling overwhelmed or less than when they walked away.
The main complaint I hear about saving money nowadays is that it is too darn overwhelming to know where to begin. If you have $20,000 in credit card debt, is clipping a few coupons realistically going to make much of an impact to your bottom line? If you are drowning in student loans and house payments, is living within your means even possible?
The answer to all of the above is yes. While the small things you do might not add up to financial freedom, they do make a big difference. Some of them will chip away at your debt or create more wiggle room in a tight budget. Some of them will simply give you more confidence and a self esteem boost, proving to yourself that you can save money!
So I am starting a Make a Change Monday series where I will simply give you one task to work on for the week. You might already be doing it…so you get to skip that week! If not though, try it out and see if it makes a difference! I’ll keep them small manageable changes that don’t require a lot of effort or learning the drugstore game 
.
This week’s Make A Change Task:
Brown Bag It!
When I worked a full time job years and years ago, I used to go out to eat with my coworkers daily. Not only did I pack on the pounds eating highly caloric restaurant food, I also packed on the debt! I can make a lunch at home for around $1.50, but when I go out to eat I’m guaranteed to spend between $5-$10 (if not more!).
Brown bagging your lunch can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
Don’t stop at work lunches though, pack snacks and drinks when you head to the park. Avoid those fast food stops on the way home because someone is hungry/thirsty/wants a happy meal. Stash some granola bars and juice boxes in your bag before you head out and watch the savings add up!
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather spend more on a nice sit down family meal at a restaurant, then a quick bite to eat during the work day by myself or while running from one errand to the next!
Previous Make a Change Monday Tasks.
I totally agree!
I’ve been doing this for years–I think I started in college when I had NO CHOICE about being frugal!
My kids can get a little whiny about it sometimes, so I’ll offer an alternative of an ice cream treat out at their favorite specialty place once in a while, if we for-go the in-between fast food outings.
I think the message finally hit home once, when, after begging and begging, I agreed to take them out to breakfast at an IHOP after a church over-nighter. Wow! Was that a hit on the wallet. A couple weeks later, we got to use a gift card at Red Lobster. The girls were shocked when they found out the Red Lobster meal (which they liked much more than pancakes) was only $4 more! Now, we refer back to that incident as a reminder about weighing what something is really worth vs. another when we make choices.
That’s great that you have an actual example that your kids understand! It makes things so much easier when you can explain things in terms of actual life events.
I like the ice cream treat idea!