The most common thing that married couples complain about it money. And single people worry about finances as well. Still, adopting a completely frugal lifestyle is not as popular as you might think. The excuses people make to not be frugal range from convenience and quality to perceptions of societal acceptance. The following five excuses people make to not be frugal are common, and really quite silly if your goal is to spend less and save more.

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A little bit of money can change a lot.

Rising costs and shrinking salaries can cause fear in anyone.the possibility of not being able to pay your bills that do not only financially, but emotionally as well. However, an attitude adjustment can help you become more at ease with your financial situation. As long as you still have your job and it pays your bills well enough to get by all that is needed to truly prosper as an attitude adjustment.

Many people live paycheck to paycheck. While this keeps them afloat it does not let them get anywhere. Not having some money in a savings account for a rainy day is scary. Instead of living with the fear, or having increasing debt pile upon you as you use credit cards for day-to-day expenses, adopt the attitude that little bit can change a lot.

More people are looking for part-time jobs, second jobs to augment their income to deal with rising costs and debt. Lots of times the take-home pay from these part-time jobs is negligible. It also can affect family relationships and your health.

How can a little bit change a lot?

I am completely self-employed and work from home. I’m a great advocate of making money on the Internet.While there are many scams and ways to waste your money, there are also many ways to make a little extra everyday. People with full-time jobs probably would not like a second full-time job on the Internet, or the type of small online business that will use several hours a day to run. There are ways to make very small amounts of money on a regular basis. For some ideas go to Get Paid Lots.

Five dollars extra each day may not seem like a life-changing amount. It is only 435 extra each week or $1825 in the year. Can that amount of money change your life?

Attitude adjustment that has to be made is,”Yes it can!’

$35 in a week and payfor your Internet, your telephone bill over the course of a month, or add to your savings. Paying an extra $140 a month on a credit card bill can reduce the total amount of payment and the time it takes to pay your car off.

There’s a saying: if you pinch your pennies, the dollars will look after themselves. A little bit can change a lot. All it takes is an attitude adjustment.

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They think of Mr. Scrooge or the 60′s mom that could make a chicken stretch through four meals.

Often, we are so caught up in making others think that we have plenty of money that we forget that we don’t. In fact, most of the people who scoff at living frugally aren’t well-to-do. They are the ones that are struggling financially. They wouldn’t even consider letting others think that they are frugal.

It is the well-to-do and those with money that often really understand what frugal living is. It is being in control of our money. This is a characteristic that most successful, and wealthy, people display. They understand that we control our money, it does not control us.

But don’t think that it is easy. Frugal living is quite hard. It takes a lot of thought and discipline. Money is a tough lion to try and tame. It will seem to beat you back every time. But if you look at living frugally as a challenge with great rewards, you will be able to handle it just fine.

Frugal living gives you the ability to own a vehicle without having an auto loan. You are one of the few that can go shopping without a credit card. If you are frugal and wise in your money decisions, you can have everything you want, without the stress and emotions that come with debt.

To be frugal, you have to make a commitment. You can’t simply be frugal once a month and see results. You have to train yourself to be frugal in every situation. You have to make it a part of your daily routine. Look for ways to recycle and cut waste and spending.

The one secret that will keep you frugal lies in setting goals. Once you have identified what you want to achieve, it will be easier to be frugal. You are working towards something. Make a budget and track the things you do that are making your dreams reality.

One of the largest problems that many consumers face is shopping. To be frugal you have to decide to not shop anymore — at least for things you don’t need. The frugal shopper knows exactly what he needs and he looks at all of his options. Being frugal means that you make do with what you have. You use all of something before you buy a new one.

You don’t have to give the things you love up. All you have to do is see that they fit in your budget. If they don’t, you may have to put them on the back burner for a while until you free up some room. Frugal living isn’t about doing without, it’s about doing better.

Know where your give and take is. If you care deeply about your wardrobe, but not so much about your food, spend less on food and keep your clothing the way you like it.

One of the best features of frugal living is that it is based on you. Yes, I can tell you that frugal people save the twist-ties off of bags of bread. But if you have no use for those twist-ties, they are wasting your time. Being frugal is make the best of what you have, not what I have or others have. You are cutting your spending in order to save for your goals. We all do it in different ways.

Frugal living is essentially living beneath your means. You are saving and not spending every cent you make. It’s a challenge, but one that makes you a better person. It teaches us, and our children, self control. Many successful businesspeople come from very poor backgrounds. They are successful because the frugal life taught them how to sacrifice and exhibit self-control.

Answer these questions:

What if you lost your job tomorrow?

What if you were injured and could never work again?

What if you lost all of your investments?

Are you able to survive to live as you are right now?

These are tough questions. You need to work to have answers for them. Living frugally will give you the security you need.

Martin Lukac represents RateTake Refinance marketplace. RateTake matches consumers with multiple lenders offering low rates. Got too much credit debt? Get Debt Relief and you’d be surprised what we can do together.

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One of the best ways to save money around the house is to find creative ways to reuse items that would normally go in the trash. It is also good for the environment. Tuna lovers accumulate a large number of those short, round tuna fish cans. Usually, you would just throw them out or recycle them. But these tuna fish cans can lead to saving money. Below are three money saving things you can do with empty tuna fish cans.

Before you try any of these creative tuna fish can crafts, be sure to wash the can out thoroughly. If the can still smells fishy after a soap and water bath, use some lemon juice and baking soda to scrub them well. Also be careful about the potential for sharp edges where the can lid was removed. Sand these with a file to make them smooth.

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Save Money on Name Brand Clothes at the Flea Market

If you want to wear stylish name brand clothes, but cannot stand the super high prices, go shopping at the flea market. Flea market vendors are interested in bringing the hottest merchandise to the buying public, and that means dealing in name brand items. Shopping for name brand clothes at the flea market can save you a lot of money.

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I’m a great fan of the markets for both buying and selling. If you are interested in making some extra money by becoming a flea market vendor, please check out Flea Market Mama.

Some of the best things I have ever found at the fleamarket have been frugal decor items for my home. If you are lucky, and have sufficient transportation, you can probably find every single thing you need for your home at half price or less at a flea market.

When searching for frugal decor items at a flea market, it is important to know several things before you set out. First of all, what style are you interested in finding. Second, what sizes of items you need. This is especially necessary if you’re looking for occasional furniture, linens or curtains and things like paintings or artwork. Finally, it is important to know how much fixing or refinishing you are prepared and able to do. Never purchase anything that requires more effort than you are willing or able to give.

The most commonly found types of frugal decor at a flea market or knickknacks, small artwork and linens. Knickknacks and artwork can be found in any style and should always be investigated closely for damage. An attractive vase, statue or small picture to hang on the wall may cost you only one or two dollars. As long as they can be cleaned up or repaired with little effort they are a great choice for frugal decor.

Linens, curtains and things like pillows or cushions require a little extra effort to find something that will work in your home. The quest for frugal decor should always be undertaken intelligently. Unfold linens and curtains to inspect for stains, rips or tears and fading or other damage. Smell the linens to check for mold or mildew that may be hiding inside the fabric. Be extra careful when purchasing cushions or pillows as they may contain insects or mites you definitely don’t want to introduce your home.

Flea markets are an excellent source of frugal decor. Not only can you find some inexpensive treasures, you can also get the satisfaction of saving money for bills or entertainment while rescuing a potential trash from the landfills.

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The frugal tips they tout as ways to change your financial outlook are hardly worth mentioning. To me, a lifelong penny pincher, they seem ludicrously simple.

Example: Instead of buying Starbucks-type coffee, drink coffee at home.

Well, no duh (to adopt a phrase from my youth). Do people really need a financial adviser or a news story to tell them that spending $5.00 a day on coffee is not financially responsible? $5.00 a cup coffee translates into $1,825.00 each year. That’s two mortgage payments. That’s a year’s wardrobe. That’s groceries for one person for the whole year. Think about it: ALL your food, or a cup of coffee every day.

Example: Turn your thermostat down a degree or two in the winter.

This one seems obvious to me as well. Use less fuel and electricity, pay for less fuel and electricity. You can buy a decent sweater for $20.00, and save tons of money on heating.

I know, from personal experience, that some people need help with this concept, so I suppose it is good they put it on the news. I have an otherwise frugal friend who keeps her heat at 74 degrees all winter. She wears a t-shirt in the house.

<~~Picture me shaking my head and sighing here.

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To make things easier on yourself consider the following top five tips for being frugal:

One — Don’t Buy Anything You Don’t Need

While everybody wants to splurge once in a while, not buying anything you don’t need is the most important step towards a frugal lifestyle. If you only want something, chances are you’ll want something different next week.

Two — Buy Stuff You Need at the Lowest Price Possible

Hunt for sales. Buy online only if this free shipping. Search for coupon codes or printable coupons on the Internet for everything you buy. Use discount cards. Combine these methods to increase your savings even more.

Three — Use the Stuff You Have until It Is Gone

Do not throw out the shampoo bottle because it takes too long for the shampoo to trickle down to the squirt end. And you will find another couple of ounces waiting to be used. Do not throw out the problems at the bottom of the cereal box. Sprinkle them on your cereal, or mix them into yogurt for extra Yum.

Four — Use Less of Everything

Just because laundry detergent says to use a full cap in a load doesn’t mean that three quarters of the cap would work any worse. You might be surprised at how little of detergents and soaps you need to use to get something just as clean. Reduce your closet of cleaning supplies to the very basics: bleach, white vinegar and baking soda.

Five — Use Everything More Than Once

Don’t throw out your junk mail. Use it to start a fire or as scrap paper for grocery lists. Don’t throw out food jars. Use them for storage for small items or to make your own salad dressings. Almost everything can be used more than once. Get creative. Avoid waste.

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