I SAVE where I can so I can SPEND when I want

I have come up with a motto for myself: I Save Where I Can So I Can Spend When I Want. What does this mean? It means that I am decidedly frugal in some areas; I use cloth diapers and make my own diaper detergent, cook my own baby food, mix up my own household cleansers in addition to using inexpensive natural items such as vinegar, I clip coupons and grocery shop on a tight budget (might I add that many of my frugal decisions have the added benefit of being environmentally conscious).

50 cents worth of homemade banana baby food compared to store bought

Does this mean that I am a naturally frugal person? Absolutely not. As with everything I typically do, I have learned that my brain and my actions are at a bit of a tug of war! My head has all of the knowledge about how to make wise financial decisions, but my hand which stretcheth out the debit card does not always cooperate. Maybe I should just cut off that hand and throw it away... (Matthew 5:30)

I love to shop. I blame this one on my grandma. I always joke that I learned to calculate percentages in my head very quickly from her- I had to learn what "take an additional 30% off" that cute dress was! Well, at least she taught me the value of a sale. She NEVER buys anything without a coupon.  I have to say that I am for sure a Maxxinista. TJ's just might be my fave store, and I find some great buys there, including everything Polo that my hubby and boys own.

As I have gotten older, I don't spend nearly as much money on clothes. I have new vices- stuff for my house and baby things. Yes, my 7 month old does have approximately 60 Jon Jons hanging in his closet. Please bear in mind that many of these are hand-me-downs from his older brother and about half were purchased at consignment stores and sales!

Cash in one of his smocked consignment store Jon Jons.
I think I paid less than $10 for this one.

And yes, I did recently purchase a $400 Phil & Teds stroller. BUT, after my short-lived attempt at navigating the malls with a Graco double Cadillac, I believe the $400 was well worth it! (Just a little self-therepuetic rationalization: 1) I purchased the Graco on Craigslist and resold it there for what I paid for it. 2) I had been wanting a double jogger, so the Phil & Teds substitutes for that as well 3) I am still secretly coveting the $600 stroller model because of the hand brake and superior sun shades, but even I realize that that is an exorbitant amount of money for a stroller and 4) I shopped around and got an amazing deal on my model compared to what it was selling for elsewhere)

The boys taking a nap in the stroller on our recent day trip to Charleston

Does everyone have things they spend unneccessary amounts of money on? For some women, maybe it is crafting or scrapbooking supplies? Or for men, maybe it is golf or electronics? As a couple, my husband and I spend way too much money eating out. I enjoy cooking, but with our busy schedules, sometimes it is just easier to grab a quick bite while we are already out than it is to cook and clean up a home cooked meal. We do not usually eat anywhere fancy (meaning it does not usually involve a waitress), and we try to be cost conscious of what we order. When we first got married, we tried to cut back on our eating out budget to this teeny tiny amount, and over time we realized that it just wasn't practical. We reevaluated it to a realistic amount, and we find that we are able to stick to it now. This means cutting back in other areas, though.

So for me, it all comes down to, what can you realistically do without or cut back on? Is it completely at odds for a person to be so cheap that she refuses to purchase paper towels, bottled water or commercial toilet bowl cleaner, but yet her 3 year old has a new pair of $50 Keen sandals?

I would love to hear other opinions on the matter. Please let me know if I'm not completely crazy...