Thursday, September 12, 2019

Frugal Lessons from the Masters of Frugal

TRY NUMBER TWO
I had this all typed and then it disappeared.  Argh!!!

I have written about the Amish many times.  I do believe I feel a definite kinship with them as I have Amish in my family lineage.  They live a much simpler lifestyle than we do.  It is a lot of hard work - but simpler.
There are so many lessons we can learn from them. They have a huge commitment to family and community.
I must admit - I do NOT approve of all the beliefs they have.  I do not believe in shunning nor some of their religious teachings.  BUT, saying that - I think there is so much we could learn and take from them.
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DEBT FREE LIVING - they try to avoid debt like the plague.  They save and save and pay cash for anything and everything they can.  IF they have to take on debt - it is paid off quickly.
We could all learn from this.  No charge cards, no home improvement loans, no buying just to be buying.  Sell a home and buy down.  Go smaller, different neighborhood, fixer upper.  Keep that older vehicle.  Fixing if most often cheaper than a car payment for years!  Pay cash.  We have as a society have become immune to debt.  We believe it IS part of life.  Granted it is harder for us English (what Amish call non Amish).  We do not live as simply - we do live more in the city - we do drive.  BUT we don't need all the debt we create.  It just isn't necessary.

LEARN SKILLS - garden, sew, woodwork, crafting, crochet, knot, barter, gleaning. etc.  Their children learn "how to" from the time they can do and learn.  Heck, we don't even have home economics classes in schools any more.  In my day, there was home econ., shop, auto mechanics, metal working, etc.  We even had a trade school associated with our high school, that students could go part of the day and learn various trades.
Kids today don't seem to get those opportunities and even their parents can't train them in skills - as they don't have them either.  We need to learn and teach older skills!!!!!!!  Those skills MAY be what saves our society one day!!!!!

GROW AND PRESERVE - Amish grow huge gardens and preserve anything and everything.  They have animals for meat, milk, eggs, cheese, etc.  If they don't have something they need they trade or barter with a neighbor or family.
I realize that we can't all raise animals or have a huge garden.  There are opportunities that we can take that will help.  Grow  things on patios if need be.  Find area folks that provide us with fresh.  Learn to glean from nature and barter with neighbors.  Find wild nuts and berries.  Seek out un-used fruit trees.  Any fresh you get is healthy and less chemicals in your body. Fresh is best - your body and your pocketbook will thank you


COOK FROM SCRATCH
The Amish are masters of soups and casseroles.  Yes, they have big families - but they get creative with what they have.  They make bread, noodles, home baked good, snacks of all types.  Start with simple meals.  Work into making all sweet snacks (so much better than store bought), make popcorn for evening snacks.  Start small and work into it.  It saves  ton of money and tastes so good.

SAVE - save and save more.  Save for the future.  Save for emergencies.   Save for wants.  Save for schooling.  Save for whatever may come your way.  SAVE!!!!!!!!!

SHOP AT HOME - look around and get creative with your cooking.  Always check the pantry and freezer before going to the store for the tenth time in the month!!!!!  Keep an inventory and know what you have and USE IT.
This isn't just about cooking.  Use old clothes materials for quilts, pillow, children's clothes, any project.  Old blankets are great liners for quilts or for making jackets or sweatshirts.  Scrap wood can be turned in crafts and gifts.  Home canning can be gifts.  Old pallets can be turned into beautiful objects.  Garbage can become compost.  Look for new uses for jams, jellies, sauces.  Get creative and use what you have.

BE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU HAVE - this is huge.  It seems so many people today always want more.  They compete with one another for the best and brightest bauble.  They feel they need to keep us with the Jones.
Don't be envious of others and what they have - odds are they are in debt up to their eyeballs.  I sure wouldn't want that.  BE HAPPY for what family and friends have - no envious.
Become more of a minimalist.  Remember it is isn't about WHAT you have - but LOVING and USING what you have.  Contentment equals happiness in my book!

BUY BULK - The Amish do  stock up on things like flour, sugar, yeast, oats - things they use everyday and will continue to use everyday.  I like to have a good allotment of certain things as well.  I keep TP on hand - it doesn't go to waste and will always be needed!  Pet products are a big stock item for me.  I have plenty of sugar on hand for canning, baking,  hummingbird nectar, etc.  It is wise to stock-up on things that you WILL USE when you can get a deal on them.  NEVER stock things that your family won't use or eat.  That is just wasteful spending.  Be wise and stock up when you can on what you can.  Get the best deals available.

HANG THAT LAUNDRY
No it may not save you a fortune - but it does save.  Also it gets you out in the sunshine, gives you exercise, and cuts out on chemicals in your laundry and your life.  Nothing like the smell of a line dried sheet!  I realize many neighborhoods don't allow this in the U.S.  You can get drying racks that set in the sunroom, back patio or bathtub.  You could hang laundry in the basement or the garage.  Get creative and enjoy the smells of fresh air and save a bit of money.


BUY QUALITY - don't buy junk just to save money.  The Amish are great craftsmen and make much of their belongings.  No we can't always do that - but buy wise.  Make good choices.  A quality piece may be more of a cash outlay - but it WILL LAST.  I'd rather buy something of quality and spend a bit more, than buy junk and spend dollars over and over again.


So there you have a few lessons that we can all learn from the Amish.  I think many of us already follow so many of these items every day.  I try to.
A simple life isn't always the easiest life.  It can be work.  I do believe that a little hard work that shows us good results is so satisfying.

Get creative - work a little harder - save a little more and be the best steward you can be of this ONE LIFE you get.
BE CONTENT AND BE HAPPY

30 comments:

  1. Great article. There are so many ways to save money. A well stocked pantry of staples for cooking is my number one way to save money and my sanity.

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    1. Amen. That is one of my favorite ways as well. I love stocking up on sales as well.
      Thanks

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  2. Really great post, thank you.
    Lots of good advice and food for thought.
    We all need to be reminded of these life lessons.
    I do enjoy your blog and am so proud of you for continuing to post and getting on with life after your life changing loss.
    Well done.
    Pam in Texas.x

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    1. Thank you Pam. This little blog, and you great and wonderful people have kept me going. This has really been therapy for me.


      I think we all need reminders now and then. We get in ruts even with shopping and saving - so for me any reminder I get is useful!

      Have a good day

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  3. Be happy with what you have, we all could do more of that. This consumer society of ours is out of control.

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    1. Yeppers. We are condition to want, want, want. I am just excited that I have what I do. Family and friends are much more important than things.

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  4. Good advice. I read your post each morning to start my day. You're so encouraging and informative.

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    1. Thank you Judy. Such kind words.
      I am glad you enjoy this corner of the world.

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  5. They are also very community orientated. They take care of each other. They look to their elders with respect for all of their knowledge.

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    1. So many admirable traits. I love that they are so family and community oriented. I wish most people I know, were that way. It sure would make for a better world!

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  6. Great advice! I enjoy reading about the Amish, and you are right, there is much we can learn from them. But it does seem like a hard life in some ways.
    We actually went to Amish country, Lancaster PA, this summer for a few days. I love the food! We tried shoofly pie which was yummy. I loved the meadow tea which I think is mostly mint so I am going to see if I can recreate it.

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    1. Frugal and simple don't always connote easy. They work very hard.
      Good old fashioned food - yum. I think I have a recipe for shoofly pie some where. I used to get baked goods once in a while when I went to the Amish market. So good!!!!!!


      I belong to a FB group called Amish America and there is always good recipes and stories. You might check it out.

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  7. I just "tuned in" to your blog. Very timely as I had just finished filling my crockpot with all kinds of fresh vegetables from the fridge, plus l/o frozen stamed green beans, a 15 oz can of crushed tomatoes, and frozen meatballs along with garlic cloves and herbs. Supper tonight plus leftovers for a couple of nights + a couple of frozen meals. So many great ideas, Cheryl, thanks again! I wish I had room for a larger freezer. Oh well, just have to make do.

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    1. Oh my goodness that sounds delish. I love home made veggie soup - so many ways to make it.
      I also love anything that makes itself a meal for many days!
      Sounds like you are making do quite well.
      Enjoy your soup.

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  8. As a former accountant (I gave up my designation at retirement) I have always advocated that people use debt wisely. There is good debt (mortgages for example) and bad debt (when credit cards aren't paid off monthly). At retirement the only debt I had was my mortgage and as you've suggested, I'm in the process of attempting to sell it in order to buy something even more affordable (and to be totally honest, less space to clean!) Using retail debt, where for a small fee, the debt is paid off over a specific period of time interest free is a good option as well. I've used that often, even though I had the savings, as I used their money and kept mine earning interest.

    The other point you make that resonates, is the over purchasing by consumers just for the sake of buying. As a result, I believe manufacturers have reduced the quality of products since we've become such a throw away society.

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    1. Great words. I do use my CC at times because I don't often carry cash and I pay it off each month. I get points that enable me to get GC's which is nice. Now that I am alone - I am using it much, much less. I am trying to pay cash for whatever I may need. I find I spend less when I have to let go of cash instead of charge.

      I agree manufacturers know we are a throw away society and they tend to make things of lesser quality. And it appears people fall for it! So sad.

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  9. This is a great blog post, Cheryl. We have a Mennonite order close by us and I love to drive back in there and see how they live. Simple, good living.

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    1. Thank you. I wish I were closer to the Amish community and store. It is about 75 miles from here. I enjoy it so much.

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  10. Thanks for the kind words about the Amish. My relatives are Amish.

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    1. You are welcome. One branch of my ancestors were as well. It is just a type of living and lifestyle that we all need to immolate in many ways.

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  11. A tip on dryer drying (although I love line drying when the wind is blowing everything fresh and wrinkle free): Stop using softeners, both washing machine & dryer. After several washings you'll find most clothing items are non-static. I haven't used softeners in years and sometimes fleece will be staticky but normal cotton, poly-cotton, etc. do not snap/stick/wrinkle. I do make it a habit to take out of the dryer and hang or fold right away.

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    1. I agree. I do use the dryer in inclement weather and I use vinegar in my rinse cycle and it stops static and makes my clothes soft. There is no smell afterwards of the vinegar. I like that it is natural.

      Good advice.

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  12. So many great points in this post and a lot to think about.
    I think the one that resonates the most is being content with what I have.
    This past week I went to IKEA - hadn't been there in a few months so enjoyed the wander around and ended up spending less than $20 - but - to be honest - I came out of there thinking "I can buy this and then change that and then buy those accessories and really change up my apt." - But then I came home - took a look at what I have - and then thought about how much work it would be - and decided - NOPE - don't need it. I have decided that instead of spending around $1500 (which could just about pay off a small CC bill) I will spend about $80 at the end of the month when I get my Out of Pocket Expenses cheque and buy 2 small bookcases. I will ask a friend to drive me and avoid a delivery fee and I will put them together myself and I will be happy with that purchase. My little apt. is perfectly fine as it is - it's always a good thing to forego those impulse purchases and give yourself some breathing room. I do find that if I can get past that initial urge to spend most of the time it passes.

    I do keep a decent pantry but still love to grocery shop. I have determined that I will shop normally and stock up until the new year and them I'm going to live mostly on what I have for Jan. Feb. & March. It is always a struggle to manage grocery shopping when the weather is brutal (I don't drive) so just having to pick up a bit of dairy and Fruit & veg will make life a lot easier plus it will ensure that nothing goes to waste.

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    1. Good job!!!!! You did it the right way. I believe 'sleeping' on a change is the best policy. Anytime I have thought about spending a chunk of money - thinking about it, instead of impulse buying has been the deciding factor. Usually you realize that you don't really need it.
      You did good!
      If more people appreciated what they have, there would be so much less debt. We always need to remember that what we have would be the "Taj Mahal" to someone else.

      Good plan on the wintertime shopping. If you don't drive and the weather brutal - that sounds perfect. If you run out of something - substitute something else. Being flexible is the key.

      Thanks for giving another point of view!

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  13. I love learning about the Amish and wish one lived close by! Nancy

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    1. They are quite frugal people. There are many living in northern Indiana - a huge community. I would love to have an Amish friend near by as well.

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  14. I love reading Amish ideas and practices, too. Very smart people. About being content with what we have.... My sis in law gave away a perfectly good leather lazy boy recliner to my dad to use in his "dirty" garage. It had one small stain on the footrest area. I asked for it and brought it home for myself. She was amazed that I would want it and wondered if I had put a cover over it. LOL It is a NICE chair… and I probably would have put that little stain on it eventually with normal wear and tear. I am totally thrilled with my new to me chair.

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    1. Isn't it amazing the way some people think? I would have done the same as you! I bet the stain could probably be removed with a little effort.
      I know a lot of people who just have to have the newest and the shiniest of everything - me - I happy with my old treasures!
      Glad you got a new chair!!!!!!

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