Frugal support. . . .

Tonight, I'm getting together with a small group of strangers to discuss frugality, our definitions of simple living, and strategies we use to downsize our lives. I searched for months and months, beginning last fall, for a group in the Portland area that would help support my goals, people from whom I could learn, and to whom I could share the amazing changes I've been making in my life. I didn't find such a group until now.

We're meeting for coffee after work, and although I'm a bit nervous (I get a little shy when meeting new people), I'm also really excited to meet these fellow frugalers (is that a word? I guess it is now. . . ) and find out what makes them tick. Specifically, I'm interested in knowing if there was a defining moment that helped them make the change from consumers and spenders to savers.

It's possible that I'll be the only person to show up, in which case I'll have coffee with myself and discuss frugality with. . . myself (doing my little bit to 'keep Portland weird').

In the meantime, do YOU have a defining moment that helped you make the switch from spender to saver (even if you're not yet saving at the level you want to be?) Do you have a support group, whether friends, family, or online strangers, that helps you stay on track and learn new strategies?

Since I never found my 'human' group all those months ago, I turned to the internet, and have discovered so many people with the same struggles, ideas, and dreams. I hope I can supplement my blog friends with 'real life' frugal buddies. I'll let you know how it goes!