Being Frugal

I noticed this morning that my lifestyle choices have greatly changed since I started working. Although I still like pretty things and have a tendency to be materialistic, materialism no longer takes up my time or money. Here are just some of things that have changed:

• Instead of $45 haircuts at Salon XL, I now opt for $15 cuts at the Aveda Institute
• Instead of $20-30 Bumble&Bumble hair products, I now buy $5.99 products from Garnier Fructese
• Instead of $60 hair coloring, I dye my own hair and do my own highlights for $10
• Instead of $2.50 floss, I buy $0.99 floss
• Instead of $70 dress pants, I wear $19 clearance dress pants (which I was very glad to hear from my co-workers that they still look like they were tailored especially for me!)
• Instead of $70 cashmere scarves, I'm knitting my own scarves (which costs about $3.99-$15 in material!)
• I only buy my shampoo and body wash on clearance
• Heck, I even buy makeup on clearance - my lipstick (that I love) was on sale for $0.99
• I buy store-brand cereal if nothing else is on sale
• I eat out much less (and when I do, I always box leftovers for at least 1-2 more meals)
• I work hard at my job and treat my business trips as vacations =)
• I realized this morning that most of my clothes are 2-4 years old or were bought recently on sale (note: most, not all)
• I check gasbuddy.com to get the cheapest gas...and I fill up on Wednesday evenings because gas prices rise on weekends
• I now read the news online rather than subscribing to Time Magazine or a newspaper
• Two sites I frequent prior to making big purchases: overstock.com and shopping.com
• I actually use the $$ advice from my favorite magazine, such as this or this.
• Three words: cash back bonuses.
• I go to the library instead of the bookstore.

There are some things I still occasionally splurge on. Such as cooking supplies and spices (my spice racks are shaping up quite nicely! =)) I used to be a big spender. I guess these decisions developed over the last year. Call me cheap, call me thrifty, but I'm happy. =) Ah, the joys of frugality.