Thursday, March 26, 2020

Seeing Frugality as Freedom

When you here the word frugality - what comes to mind?
Cheap?  Greedy?  Hoarder?  Smart?  Prepared?  Freedom?

I see frugality as FREEDOM.  I grew up with parents that had to be frugal.  We were probably considered poor - but I never felt that.  We had enough (not always the newest thing), but we had enough.  We had a roof over our head, good food, nice clothes (albeit homemade), warmth, love and parents that worked hard.
Now I must admit that I went through a time when I didn't follow the road of frugality.  I got led stray into having fun and spending too much.
It took a while and a lot of stress before I figured out - I like freedom better!

We each have to be pro-active in our lives.  Planning, saving, and doing with what you have is how you can take control.
Right now, people don't feel like they have much control - but you CAN control your spending habits and you CAN control your reactions to things.
Normalcy is what everyone is craving - keep your home normal.  Yes, you may have to stay home - but that doesn't mean you can't keep normal IN YOUR HOME.

Frugality IS freedom.  Knowledge IS freedom.
Many of us have all that we need in our homes.  We planned and prepared in a way, that today we can have a great life.
We can eat because our pantries are full.  We can help one another because we have more than enough.  We can enjoy our days because we can get creative in our homes and yards.  We can keep busy with crafting and remaking things.  We can pay our necessary bills because we have saved.
We were PRO-ACTIVE.
We are FRUGAL and have freedom and knowledge!!!!

One dollar can start a savings, one extra canned good can start a pantry, one super bargain can be the difference that saves someone, one gesture of sharing can possibly save a life (literally)……….

Adjust your mood a little by getting in the sunshine - you NEED sunshine.  If it is cold - open the blinds or curtains - open the inside doors - get sunlight.  Get outside and MOVE if at all possible.  Front porch, back porch, or balcony sit!!!!!  Just sit out and watch and listen to EVERYTHING.  Be one with the world.
Share what you can when you can.  Help someone in need if possible.
Listen to FUN music and DANCE!!  I know you all think I am crazy when I say that - but it helps!  I have gotten to the place, where a few times a week I turn on the 'oldies' and dance all by myself.  It is great exercise and it really brightens my mood.
These are things you can do that are frugal and good for you and others.

Frugal isn't about being cheap.  It is about doing as much as possible with what you have.  Frugal people hate to spend dollars unnecessarily!  Frugal people get creative.  Frugal people make fun from nothing.  Frugal folks are the BEST!
If you have to purchase anything right now - think about ordering from or buying from a small local shop.  Help a smaller business.  Your purchase can help put food on their table and help keep them afloat. 
We are all in this together - no one is exempt.  
Help where you can.  Be the positive in another person's life.
MUCH can be accomplished with a smile and a kind word and a kind gesture.

Stay frugal and be thankful that you have been frugal.  You have a huge leg up on your situation.  You WILL survive.  You WILL help when possible.  You can be THE ONE!

Blessings my friends.
Stay well and stay frugal!




19 comments:

  1. Such a great post, Cheryl. I agree frugality is freedom. It helps me sleep at night to be at peace with my finances.

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    1. Yes indeedy!!!! Same here. I'm ok, because we had a plan for so long and now I have peace of mind.
      Thanks.

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    1. Thanks - glad to know others feel this way as well!

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  3. That is a good post. I definitely feel free by living frugally and it is a very good life.

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    1. It IS a good life! We should all be thankful.
      Thank you dear.

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  4. What great advice. Even though this pandemic is trying my nerves, I am so grateful that I am virtually debt free. I have more than enough money coming in to pay all my bills and it is because I was frugal. Frugality is a blessing and when you are blessed you can bless others.

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    1. Amen. It is so nice to not worry about the bills. It is also so nice to be able to help.
      We have been blessed indeed. We have created a piece of calm in our lives.
      Blessings.

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  5. I dance while I cook and clean. The kids think I am crazy. We are by no means rich but we always have extra. We live below our means to make sure that we do. The kids will never go hungry thanks to my very well stocked pantry. I have been spending as much time outside as I can. I dragged my daughter on a walk with me and Oreo. She is missing her boyfriend. I get it but she also has so much to be grateful for. We put the yard furniture out and she is doing better reading a book outside. Stay healthy everyone.

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    1. Outside and sunshine and fresh air fills the body and soul. I know I look like a fool dancing, but no one else sees it (except the cat). He looks at me like "what the heck...". LOL

      Having extra is a blessings. You have done so well and have taught your children well.
      Thanks and stay healthy yourself.

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  6. Wonderful!!!! You are one of those fine examples of what being frugal accomplishes. Freedom.
    Thanks for sharing.
    You are welcome.

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  7. We had sun and temps in the upper 60s today. Hubby sat outside, and I cleaned up the street in front of the house and gardened and installed my new clothesline tree. Every day we talk about what we are grateful for: no debt, enough money, intelligence to solve problems, and a can-do attitude. We are looking at this as a challenge, not a burden.

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    1. Glad you got to get out and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. I did as well.
      Wonderful way to look at this - a challenge! God gives us all sorts of challenges in life - this is but one.
      Have a good day.

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  8. So blessed my husband and I followed the Dave Ramsey plan to become debt free including our house. Being frugal does bring freedom!

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    1. Yes indeed. So happy you took the pathway to financial freedom.
      Blessings.

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    1. Deb - I hope you come by often. I love all my readers!

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  10. Good post!
    Here's a little song that will lift you up and keep you dancing, Josh Wilson's song, "Borrow (One Day At A Time)" on you tube.

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    1. Thank you! I will go and listen to it. Thanks again!

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