I thought I would write this as an entry instead of a comment, as the question does deserve a bit of thought.
To be honest, I'm pretty far from frugal compared to some people here. So I guess I have never 'become frugal'. I spend massive amounts of money on things that many of you here never will. But we're all different, and we all live for and strive for different things.
But my desire to learn about money and all things financial came from my mother and her partner having a distinct LACK of knowledge about the subject. When I was 13 I started to record their reciepts for their new business in a ledger. I realised how much money they wasted, and, to be blunt, it really pissed me off. But because I didn't 'know' a lot about finances, I basically didn't have a leg to stand on in an argument with them about their money. (Of course, now I don't have a leg to stand on either, because I've realised, after many years, that I'm their CHILD, and will always be that to them, and not someone you take advice from).
I've always been an organisational freak as well, so once I started earning money, that was just another thing I did, recording expenses, making budgets, tallying up my savings, working out how much I would have in x weeks etc.
My need to control money probably comes from not having much available as I was growing up. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but I think when I have children I won't burden them money problems as much as I was when I was a child. I remember times when I would not bother to begin writing letters to friends who I had moved away from, because I didn't know when we would be able to buy stamps (40c back then).
I remember having to ask my dad for money for things, even though he also paid child support AND gave me pocket money. I remember having to give the pocket money to my mum for groceries. Looking back, I think there were equal parts in 'not having enough money' and 'mum spending money on alcohol' in play. *shrug*
So really, for me, there was no actual turning point. My life is a series of events that have shaped me the way I am. Everything that has been sent my way I have tried to make some kind of order out of it.
answering BA's question: the turning point
August 21st, 2009 at 08:58 am
August 21st, 2009 at 02:09 pm 1250863798
August 21st, 2009 at 02:52 pm 1250866375
August 22nd, 2009 at 01:37 am 1250905020