Common Sense - It's How to Save $

 I have mentioned before that my ancestors were Amish.  I don't know if it is possible to have daily practices and ways in our genes - but if so - I DO!  Things were obviously passed down from them to grandparents and then to Daddy and to us children.  However, none of us thought about or were told it had anything to do with being of Amish descent.  I don't know that Daddy even knew we had Amish ancestors.  I found out on my own after he passed.  How crazy is that?????

Whatever it was - we all were taught to be mindful and frugal with our dollars.  How to do the best we could with what we had.  Maybe that came from being passed down OR maybe it just came from not having much!  Either way, it has become engrained in us - as my siblings are the same way.

• Avoid debt and charge cards if at all possible.  IF you have debt - get it paid down quickly.  We  all have had debt at some point - but it is important to pay extra and pay down quickly if there is any possible way.  The Amish loathe debt - and try to avoid it all.  If they need a business loan - their first priority to pay it off quickly.  When you owe others - your money is never yours!
• Grow, barter, glean whatever you possibly can.  If there is any way to preserve it in some way - do it!  Not everyone can have a garden - but perhaps look for ways to get fresh goods cheaply and use those.  End of day at farm markets, road side stands, friends/family, glean, food banks, etc.
• Be as self sufficient as possible (I am not talking off the grid).  Know how to do stuff!!!!!  Take care of your own.  The Amish can MAKE about anything - cleaning products, baking goods, cooking from scratch, gifts, making clothes, quilts, gardening, compost, great craftsmen, etc.
• They enjoy enjoy EXPERIENCES instead of stuff.  Have a picnic, play games, go to the swimming hole, take walks, enjoy nature, etc.
• DON'T waste - and fix everything!   Find new uses for stuff instead of putting it in the trash.  Food, peels, etc.. can be compost or animal feed.  Use leftovers in new ways.  If something breaks, figure out how to fix it.  We have become such a throw away society - it is pitiful.  Either fix something or figure out something else that will do the job!!!!  Heck if the tea pot sprouts a hole - you can heat water in a pot.  No need for a microwave - use the stove.  You get the idea!

• Don't pay retail - and shop at second hand shops.  Look for sales and clearance whenever you can find it.  Thrift stores and yards sales can be your friend!!  Let someone else pay the high price and you get it for pennies!
• Buy in bulk when possible.  The Amish do this a lot and they split the deals amongst family or neighbors when they can't use it all in a reasonable timeframe.  This way you get a great price and you are also helping others
• KNOW the difference between wants and needs!!!!!  HUGE  You need basic food to live, but you want the expensive deli items.  You need shelter for your family - but you may want a home that is too large.  You need food - but you want fast food.  See - we all have weak moments.  Yes, sometimes it does the body good to get a WANT - once in a while it is fine - but don't over do it. If we always do without those wants - it is a chore and we feel discouraged - so splurge once in a great while
• Buy quality.  Quality will last and last.  It is better to spend extra to get a nice item than to replace it over and over.
• Stay healthy!!!  Do all that you can manage to stay healthy.  Use natural and herbal remedies if you can.  Learn about these things.  It may not be something that is realistic in your case - but knowledge is golden and can help someone you know.    I have been very fortunate as I still take no medications and only take herbs and vitamins.  I work on staying healthy - that is huge for me.  Diets, lifestyle, herbs and vitamins are big factors to staying healthy.
• Make gifts and novelty items for others.  I love getting something homemade - many do.  It can be food, canning items, crafts, candles, you name it.  

Living the simple life as many seem to think the Amish do - is NOT simple.  Hard work and determination  is what their lives are each and every day.  It is the life they choose - but it isn't always easy.  The work ethic they seem to have, should be bottled!!!!!!!  I don't agree with a lot of things that the Amish do - but that work ethic is wonderful.  I wish more had it - we would all be better off.  So many just want to take what they can get and find shortcuts to having  things - I find that sad.  

Good old fashioned hard wok, determination, and striving to be the best you can be - is what makes it all good!  

The greatest gift we can take from our ancestors is BE GRATEFUL!  Grateful for every little thing you have and you acquire in the world.  It may be things, food, home, abilities, knowledge or the people in your life - be grateful for them.

Life offers us many gifts and we need to be more aware and more appreciative.

Use common sense and you will find you become a frugal person.

Make the MOST of what you have.