I love hearing loved ones quoting Gail-isms, it is music to my ears! My mom was telling me that to control her shopping now, she “drops her bag at the door to have a look around” her own house pretending she is you and what you’d say. She says it puts it into perspective that she has enough stuff. See also says she hears your voice asking her if it’s a want or a need, and if a purchase is in the budget. That is amazingly powerful stuff!

Also, my sister and her husband are now on a budget (including their his and her allowances). For the first time in their marriage they agree that debt is bad for the relationship and budgetting might just be the answer to their problems. It was your worksheets that helped make it real and do able- they are trying to quit their unsustainable life!!!

I also negotiated two work days at home to save on gas, parking, etc.

Can’t give up those books – but now for birthdays, etc. that is what I get for gifts.

Fortunately, we are debt free and can enjoy the fun. But our favorite tag line is “what would Gail say?”

I’ve always had a cell phone, since I moved around a lot when I was younger, and often it wasn’t reasonable to get a land line. Now that there are cheap voip plans, and my cell phone bill recently ballooned, it’s starting to look a lot better to switch to pay as you go.

As for movie tickets, my boyfriend and I have been cashing in our Airmiles for free passes with popcorn and drinks, and there is also the option to cash in for free movie rentals at blockbuster. That really helps when our entertainment budget is tight.

First of all, I just want to say that I love your show! I am in the U.S., and watch it every Saturday night (or DVR it to watch later).

Anyway, I am completely frugal at heart, and love reading about others who have found ways to save money.

Here are a few we have found to cut out luxuries from our budget…while still enjoying them:

I love Bikram Yoga, and periodically a place in downtown Houston offers classes for free at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings

I purchase all books from half.com

I use frequent flyer miles and mycokerewards.com to get magazine subscriptions that I Love (such as O Oprah, Martha Stewart, and Real Simple)

I never pay full price for anything

I unplug all electronics when not in use

I turned down the temperature on my hot water heater

Check out my blog–every Friday I do a Frugal Confessions Friday where I post about someway that I have saved money, and others share their stories as well!

I found a local play house that primarily uses volunteers for staff. I go to two or three shows or movies per month in exchange for ticket taking, seating patrons, and a few minutes of cleaning up afterward.

I found two local beauty schools where a hair cut is less than $10 and manicures or pedicures are about $5.

My family does a lot of gift certificates for holidays and birthdays. I usually receive spa or clothing or iTunes certificates.

I borrow movies and books from the library instead of buying them.

Most of my furniture came from parents and grandparents down-sizing their houses. I bought three pieces of furniture out of everything in an entire apartment.

My clothes, which need to be very professional in my line of work, come from sales and thrift stores and hand-me-downs, and of course, gift certificates. I learned how to do basic tailoring for myself.

I started planning meals, and I shop once per week. I can plan to have leftovers on days when I know I won’t be in the mood or have time to cook. The money I save on food goes towards loans and savings.

My last big area of savings was to carefully examine my loans and refinance some of them. My actual payments are unchanged, but I was able to reduce the interest and the loans will be paid off several years sooner.

Good suggestion about the gift cards though. That would allow us to go and get just the couple of things we want and nothing else. We normally have no trouble sticking to a list, but that place is deadly.