Thursday, May 12, 2022

What is Your Definition of Frugal?

 What say you?  I know we all have different ideas and ways when it comes to that word!

I think being frugal means being a good steward of your money.  Not being a spend thrift and thinking long and hard before making big purchases.  It means living your best life on less money.  It means knowing the difference between wants and needs.  It means getting the best value for your dollars.

It means using up what you have - not just in conventional ways, but new ways as well.  Getting creative in cooking, reusing and re-inventing.
It means preparing for emergencies of all types - having a pantry and saving funds for such emergencies.
Buying goods of good value for the best price.
Looking for deals, clearance and special sales to add to your stores.  Getting the best price.

It means being generous and helping others when you can.  I think that is part of our frugal journey.  Help others when possible and accept help when needed.

I do believe being frugal becomes a way of life.  It has for me.  It isn't something I have to consciously think about anymore - it is just a part of me.  I do not feel the least deprived.  It is my way of life - it is who I am.
I love stretching a dollar as far as I can.  It makes me happy.  We worked really hard for the funds that I have - so why would I just want to waste them?

I don't feel frugal is about being cheap or a scrooge or miserly.  It is about being mindful and a good steward.
What is your view of being frugal?
 

32 comments:

  1. Couldn't have said it any better myself!

    Heading out to the backyard this morning to plant spinach, beets and carrots. This afternoon I'm taking apart an old breeze box fan and cleaning it for 'poor man's air conditioning' since we received notice this week that our electric bills will be going up 20% next month due to a 45% increase in the cost of electrical generation.

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    1. Thanks.
      Getting those veggies in - yay! Oh my, that is a huge increase in the electric. I am sorry about that. I think a whole lot of people are seeing things like that happen. Makes for all the more reason to be frugal.

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  2. I agree with Frances...could not have said it better. It Des become a way of life. But, always open to learning new ways to improve the not wasting and using wisely. But, I love that you mentioned the being able to share. And sharing wisely. As we age, I think we hone in on that aspect even more. We want to share but also hope to model good stewardship to the younger generation. Lots of my frugality came about by necessity in my early marriage. But, then it just became part of me.

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    1. Thanks. I watched my folks, then had big goals that G and I wanted to achieve - so we did what was needed. I guess it all about priorities.
      Sharing and helping others is important. We need to do good acts - God blesses us, so we should bless others.

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  3. Eliminating and/or minimizing waste. I have NO trouble spending $. I want my full mileage from each dollar. I CAN spend more but I've been frugal for so long that I continue to have leftovers every month. It's a great problem to have :-)

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    1. YES!!!!!! It is a great problem, isn't it? I can spend more than I do and I might at some point. But like you, I want the most for that dollar. It just makes sense!

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  4. Cheryl, you've pretty much hit the nail on the head re. my own definition of what being frugal is. And yes, it becomes a way of life. It's not that we trudge through life denying ourselves any luxuries, it's that we plan for them very carefully 99% of the time. And if we have that rare, impulsive splurge? Well, the lifestyle means it can be absorbed w/o a struggle. And sometimes (like NOW) it means reprioritizing. I look at it as an ongoing, learning experience and am also grateful for new ideas and tips. --Elise

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    1. It is an ongoing learning process. Exactly, we do what we do, so that when those needs or WANTS come along we can do it. We have funds set aside that covers those splurges, Kind of why we are frugal I think.
      I do believe as we go along this journey - we reprioritize often and make the appropriate changes for where we are. That is good.

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  5. Being frugal means being smart in finances and life. Having the freedom and choice to do what is best for your wellbeing. Not allowing outside influence (peer pressure) to lead you to make a choice that is not right for you or your financial health. Everyone has certain things that they need to ensure their happiness. I want/need to be able to make those choices. Many people would say I don't need three dogs. Animals are expensive, I get that but I also know I could not be happy without them. I don't need a new car, I need my pets. I have never gone hungry, I have always had a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in. Some people think I am so called poor. I am not, I have money for everything I need. I just don't need the same things others think they can't live without. Now with all the changes in the world and inflation people are freaking out. I am not, I am prepared for changes I might need to make, I am prepared with pantry and freezers full. I only have to shop for food when things are on sale or clearance. I go out for loss leaders to build my inventory. My son knows he can come to me if they are in trouble. I buy extra so I can give to others if there is a need. That is my definition of frugal.

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    1. LOVE IT!!! You said it well. I am with you on the pets. I have 4, plus the birds and squirrels - that makes me happy, a new car would not.
      I love that you are prepared and don't have to panic. Same here. With all the people screaming shortages and high prices, I just kind of keep going on. That is nice.
      You are doing great!!

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  6. My definition of frugal is making your hard earned money go the furthest. But with that in mind, so you can serve others with your abundance. If you make your money stretch you can give more and do more.

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    1. Yes indeed! Make that dollar stretch and ALWAYS do good for others!

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  7. I don't think I can improve on these definitions. I am frugal. But, I have managed to give $20 twice to a harried, older woman working in a fast food window, taking our payments. I would never have to work there because I worked hard for an education. But, I do know this was not her life plan. So, I help her and she seems so appreciative.

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    1. Just because she works at fast food does not mean she has no education. Many older folks are taking on part time work to stretch their social security. Thank goodness some people choose to work in the service industry or we would not have a lot of things we all take for granted.
      I like being able to help others and donating, as well.

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  8. Cheryl, I think you've nailed it. I believe it's living within your means and following a budget you've set for yourself, taking into account a set-aside for emergency purchases and other personal obligations. It's knowing a good value when you see it and knowing when to spend on quality vs. cost. It also means knowing your "market" and being able to explore outside your comfort zone, to try stores and/or brands you may not have tried before, in order to meet your needs at the best possible price. Additionally, it's not wasting money on buying in quantity or on sale, until you know the item will meet your needs in building a sustainable pantry of items you WILL USE. It's making the most of what you have and doing so in a mindful manner.

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    1. All of this is so true. Love the NOT wasting. That is a big problem today. We live in such a throw away society. Buy what you use and use what you buy!
      Thank you!

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  9. You summed up frugal very well with being mindful and a good steward. It doesn't go amiss to pray before making a big purchase.

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    1. God always hears us! Thanks - being a good steward is just so important for everything.

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  10. I agree with your definition, and many that the dear commenters have brought up, too. I find I am tipping more often and more generously these days...so many are struggling. I still cannot bring myself to give money to the beggars on the street holding a sign---I know every place is hiring! I feel like they are scamming the public...even though my heart tells me some are truly needy. I struggle with this...

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    1. Thank you for tipping. Restaurant workers need that - as that is what their main pay is.
      I have trouble with the begging as well. Job signs everywhere and there they stand. I know that we do not know their circumstances, so we should not judge. But I have trouble with it as well!

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    2. I won't give panhandlers money. Our local police constantly request we do not. There are sufficient resources in our community. So, I give generously to the foodbank and the shelter every month. My $ goes 5x further with the foodbank and I'll take an immediate 500% increase on my $ every day of the week!

      We don't eat out often but when we do we tip 30-50%. I thank God every single day that my finances support my comfortable retirement and I will share his Grace with others. (We don't hit fast food so I don't know their current workforce).

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    3. Elle - I am with you 100% on that. I give to food pantries and sometimes to a shelter. I donate things to both as well. Glen's home doctor now has a mission he does - he provides health care for homeless and very low income only now. I give generously to his group.

      My sister cringed the last time we went out together. She kept telling me my tip was way too large. She was a good waitress!!! Shortly there after she lost her job as the place closed down. We just never know!

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  11. I've been blessed with so much that I'm sure I haven't been thankful enough to the good Lord. But it seems to me that I can use and appreciate what I have been given as wisely as possible--use my resources in the best way possible -as I tell my family-as a way to be thankful.

    I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments!

    (Might I add that being frugal while often out of necessity is often times fun? I mean when I make my husband a lunch that costs a dollar (maybe 2 if I'm going all out) knowing full well the same lunch out would be $10-15 dollars I do get a little thrill!).

    ~margaret

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    1. I think we are all guilty of nit being appreciative enough at times. We take so much for granted.
      The comments have been great.
      I think frugality is fun as well. I do the same thing - if I bought this it would cost......
      It is always a little challenge and little fun as far as I am concerned.

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  12. Really good comments on your good post, Cheryl. I don't think I have much I could add. I love that Texas and you get joy out of your animals sharing your lives. We value what we value, not what others value (some mistakenly). The Bible does mention not stealing but working to have what you need and sharing with those in need. It does feel good helping someone out - especially out of what we've been blessed with. I love the post above about giving $20 to the older lady working in fast food. As the Lord lays it on our hearts, we give and get blessed.
    Mary in OK

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    1. Our pets give us a lot of joy. I would rather spend money on them than on 'things'. I believe we all need to work and make our way if we are able - some are not! Any work is good work!! It makes one feel so good to give and share. Yes, the Lord shows us each what path to take.

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  13. I agree with your understanding of frugal living. I would also add spending money on experiences rather than things.

    God bless.

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    1. You are very right on that! Thanks
      Always pay those bills first.

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  14. Being frugal makes me feel less guilty when we have to buy something. I have the money and it's all good. I would hate to have a payment.

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  15. Great definitions! The best examples I've witnessed in frugality were my grandparents and my mother in law. All were born in the Greatest generation. However, my Grandpa and my MIL were the ideal balance of frugality and sensible generosity.
    (My Grandma was the buffalo squeezer!!). Good planning leading to good fortune was to be shared.

    My mom was the most generous person I knew. That's where the "sensible generosity" comes in. My mom went from a comfortable life with convertibles and a motorhome to dirt poor after my parents divorced. She got a very generous settlement at 52 that wouldn't have altered her lifestyle, but for one thing....she was stupidly generous. Not only did she give when she had plenty, she'd give when she had little. She could have just 2 working lightbulbs in her tiny single wide and she'd give one away if someone asked. She'd give away things she NEEDED. When we went to get her to move here, she had no jacket, no socks, only slippers for her feet. She just couldn't let someone go out in the cold. Honestly, I've seen homeless people with more! The first week she was here, I had to buy her everything! When I begged her not to give everything away, she'd say, "Don't worry Mija, God takes care of us stupid people!" and she'd laugh.

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    1. God bless her. She obviously cared more for others than she did herself. Generosity to a fault.
      I love to give - but I also want to have the necessities in life.
      I often see it - those with the least give the most and those with the most give the least. I think your mom was a good spirit on this earth and here to help others.

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