Keeping Everyone On Board with Frugality

Inspired by Rachel Mae (thanks Rachel!) I will address how I keep the family on board with my frugality. Not gonna lie here. 

The kids are willing to spend very little of their own money, but if there is "free" food in the fridge and shampoo in the shower it is just easy for all to indulge. 

Finding packages with 1/8th amount of an item and the discovering a newly opened package, can really trigger some unhappiness.

Keeping us all honest about use is a challenge. I began labeling the date on many consumable items. 

When it comes to certain other items I will "hide" food stockpiles, shampoos and other items. If I see it is being consumed too quickly, I will simply stop stocking up on that item and even stop buying it, since it is usually a non-essential food item :).

Avoid processed items. Cook from scratch as much as possible. While flour, sugar and butter do eventually expire, their shelf time is very long!

Put shampoo in the shower in trial size bottles. Yes, it has to be refiled, but if the choice is consume and save, then you do what you have too.

I have marked on the mouthwash and shampoo bottles the weekly "finish lines" on them. I line up the orange juice bottles in the fridge, with the first to be used the most easily reached.

Freeze as much as possible and only defrost what's to be used. 

If you have expiring items check online to see when the actual use by is.

Ultimately it may mean you have to be the one responsible for rationing. 
Your pocket book will thank you!