Jan
2013
My Frugal Habits BEFORE I Started Blogging
Photo Credit: StockMonkeys.com via Compfight cc
Considering my last two blog posts were about me shopping and thinking $98 yoga pants were justifiable, I figured it’s time to write a post about me behaving like a good Girl Meets Debt 
As some of you may know, I started this blog on December 8th, 2012. But even before I published my first post, I was already reading other PF blogs to learn tips and ideas on how to live a frugal, but fulfilling lifestyle because I was clueless about saving money.
The old me may have spent more money than I had, but even before I started blogging, I had a few frugal habits that I was already practicing daily. I know, it’s surprising right?
So what were the frugal habits I had even BEFORE I was blogging about paying off debt?
1) I never bought books. I always rented them from the library and returned them on time so I never had to pay late fines.
2) I never paid ATM fees. Sometimes that required me walking an extra 5-10 blocks to my nearest bank branch, but I always did so because the thought of paying fees of up to $5 to take out cash as little as $20 creeped me out.
3) I never paid for plastic grocery shopping bags because I always brought my own reusable ones or stuffed things in my huge purse. I don’t know about other parts of the world, but here in Canada, (well at least B.C.) stores would charge 5 cents per bag! I know it’s only 5 cents but that adds up and reusable bags are better for the environment anyways.
4) I was a Starbucks addict but never bought a size bigger than a “tall”. It was lesser calories anyways.
5) Even though I have an Iphone, I never bought apps. There are too many decent ones that are free. I never bought music from iTunes either. I just ummm… listened to songs on the radio or You Tube.
6) I hardly ever ordered drinks when I dined out at restaurants. Good old water was fine for this girl.
7) I never went on vacations but now I’ve been bitten by the travel bug and want to see the world so I’m going to work hard at paying off this debt so I can afford luxuries like traveling.
8) Back before texting became the norm, I never went above my cell phone minutes. I don’t go over my data plan either.
9) I saved my empty pop can bottles and brought them back to the recycling depot to get back the recycling fee.
10) I used coupons whenever I could!
I hope you all enjoyed reading my frugal habits before I started blogging 
What were some frugal habits you had before you started blogging?
Mochi and Macarons
January 29, 2013 at 4:37 pm (113 days ago)You can save another $0.10 off a Starbucks drink if you bring a reusable mug.
Girl Meets Debt
January 29, 2013 at 4:40 pm (113 days ago)I like!
Morgan
January 29, 2013 at 5:21 pm (113 days ago)I wish I was still paying 5 cents a bag, where I’m currently living everywhere charges 25 cents a bag! So we either bring our own bags or use boxes that some stores provide.
Girl Meets Debt
January 29, 2013 at 5:32 pm (113 days ago)25 cents a bag??? That’s just robbery!!!
eemusings
January 29, 2013 at 6:16 pm (113 days ago)Didya change layout? Love the look!
I would tick off most of the things on this list (eliminating Starbucks entirely) and most of them still ring true, but I have always made travel a priority.
eemusings recently posted..Three reasons why I want to buy a house (and reasons why I won’t)
Girl Meets Debt
January 29, 2013 at 6:19 pm (113 days ago)I did change the layout of the blog about 2 weeks ago. I feel this one is much more “me”
Lyn @ Pretty Frugal
January 29, 2013 at 8:30 pm (113 days ago)I always get water at restaurants, too! I just can’t bring myself to pay for an app, either. I can usually find something I like well enough to do what I need for free.
I check out books from my public library on my Kindle. It’s super easy and the books just delete from my Kindle after the 21-day check out period. One thing I find totally frustrating? They don’t offer extensions on check outs. I got halfway through a few books before having to give them up and get back on a waiting list. Bummerrrrr.
Lyn @ Pretty Frugal recently posted..Adventures in Short Sales, Part II: A Lush in the Attic
Girl Meets Debt
January 29, 2013 at 9:13 pm (113 days ago)That would be so annoying to get halfway through a book and then have to return it!
I received a Kindle for Christmas but I live in Canada and at the moment Kindle library books aren’t available to Canadian residents which really annoyed the heck out of me. GRRRRR
Manda
January 30, 2013 at 8:22 am (113 days ago)I generally try to do cash-out if I need cash and aren’t near one of my bank’s ATMs. The way I see it is if I have to spend the extra money to get cash, I may as well spend it on something I’ll need/use rather than a bank fee. Like, if I’m at a CVS, I can buy a toothbrush and use cash-out. I’m never going to not need a toothbrush!
Manda recently posted..Cherry Lips
Girl Meets Debt
January 30, 2013 at 9:03 am (113 days ago)That’s a great tip Manda. Thank you
Kathleen, Frugal Portland
January 30, 2013 at 3:07 pm (112 days ago)Those are good tricks! I either eat or drink at restaurants, very rarely both.
Kathleen, Frugal Portland recently posted..If not online dating, then where do you meet people?
Girl Meets Debt
January 30, 2013 at 3:10 pm (112 days ago)You might be dining out or going for drinks more often now that operation get out more has commenced
debtperception
February 1, 2013 at 8:13 am (111 days ago)I wish places here in the US would charge fees for using plastic bags! Those things are so wasteful!
I haven’t had cable service for about 5 years. For several years I was able to watch movies and tv shows through my father’s Netflix account but we started our own about a year ago. Lots of other shows you can watch for free online. I like free stuff.
debtperception recently posted..Busy Day
Girl Meets Debt
February 1, 2013 at 8:55 am (111 days ago)This girl loves free stuff as well
Tracy
February 1, 2013 at 11:45 am (111 days ago)Great to see another Canadian PF blogger! Especially one from Vancouver like me!
I like the fact that you treat yourself as well. Keep up the awesome posts!
Girl Meets Debt
February 1, 2013 at 11:54 am (111 days ago)Hi Tracy, thanks for commenting! Vancouver representing
I’m loving your blog as well. Fashion, make-up, and finance CAN mix together
Alex
February 1, 2013 at 10:42 pm (110 days ago)Very good habits! You don’t need to justify though. We all save money for something, right? It does no good to accumulate all the money and never use it.
Alex recently posted..Life Lessons from Flo Rida
Girl Meets Debt
February 2, 2013 at 7:47 am (110 days ago)Well said Alex. It really does no good to hoard, errr I mean save money and never use it.
Laurie @the frugal farmer
February 2, 2013 at 4:48 am (110 days ago)Funny, we started being frugal before we were really frugal too. We would do the library, use coupons, and then hit the fast food places like, 3 times a week. It was ridiculous! All of our frugal habits were nulled and voided by our lack of tracking spending. But our eyes are open and we’re on track now. Great work, girl, on changing your financial life!
Laurie @the frugal farmer recently posted..Out on the Town: Good Reads for the Week Ending 2/1/13
Girl Meets Debt
February 2, 2013 at 7:56 am (110 days ago)I never really thought of it that way but I guess I was frugal before really being frugal! All my small frugal habits were nulled and voided by me being an irresponsible girl in her 20s who concentrated way too much on her wants rather than needs.
I too come from a family of 6 and it’s funny that there were 3 daughters and 1 son like your family! I admire the determination and hard work you and Rick are doing in changing your financial life for your family
Laurie @the frugal farmer
February 8, 2013 at 3:51 am (104 days ago)That is so funny! Yeah, we love having a bigger family. It’s just fun. Lots of laughter and always someone to play with.
Laurie @the frugal farmer recently posted..Mom’s Spanish Rice
KK @ Student Debt Survivor
February 3, 2013 at 6:57 am (109 days ago)Like Laurie said, I think many frugal people have had frugal tendencies from the beginning. Even when I wasn’t really watching my money and was taking out tons of student loans, there were certain frugal things that I still did (buying used books, avoiding credit cards etc.). The stores here don’t charge for bags yet, but they do offer a discount when you bring your own.
KK @ Student Debt Survivor recently posted..Goals Update-January Progress
Girl Meets Debt
February 3, 2013 at 7:52 am (109 days ago)Thank you for commenting KK
It’s just too bad my frugal tendencies didn’t kick in sooner lol
Savvy Scot
February 4, 2013 at 1:31 am (108 days ago)I’m with you on the ATM charges… I hate them! I never ever pay them either
Savvy Scot recently posted..Passive Income Series – Method 2: Income from Investing
Girl Meets Debt
February 4, 2013 at 6:50 am (108 days ago)Yup, just say NO to ATM charges