Today, I just want to clarify something that many don't understand. Being frugal (minders of our stuff), isn't just about money! I will say, when my journey first started many years ago, YES it was. We both came into marriage with debt, hubs had just purchased our house (right before meeting me), and we neither made big money. So yes, it was about the money. We wanted to pay off the debt we had, save, do things, and update our home.
Well, after a while it became HABIT and LIFESTYLE and a CHALLENGE! We did get that debt taken care of quickly, paid our home off at 15 years instead of 30. Bought a brand new vehicle (which we had never had before) and paid it off in one year.
We saved and saved some more.
Best of all we HAD FUN too!!!!! Not expensive fun - we weren't world travelers or anything. We wondered our state from here and there, we camped with our friends (we bought a camper), and we enjoyed the simple things in life.
Today, I am in good shape. We did things right - we knew there may be medical issues at some point. G wanted to make sure I would be ok if left alone. Well, I am OK.
I can buy pretty much what I want. That is the thing - I don't WANT for much of anything!
I like my quiet time and just being with friends and family. I like my stuff. I like being a good steward of what I have.
I don't want to add a lot to the waste of the world. I try to use things in new ways, so as not to have to buy the junk that is thrown at us today. I buy food to eat and nourish my body - why would I want to throw it away? I try to take care of the environment as best as I can. I know one person can't do a lot - but I can DO something.
I try to keep the heat down, and turn the lights off so as not to overuse the utilities I have been blessed with.
I want to do the good things. I want to take care of nature and enjoy the beauty. I want to use what I have intentionally gone out and purchased and not waste it. Why wouldn't I? I want to get the best deals I can get and use my finances with care. It took work and determination to have the finances - I sure don't want to fritter them away.
You can start living the "frugal" (determined) lifestyle for any number of reasons. But at some point, I almost guarantee you - you will be doing things without thinking about it - just because you are used to it.
That is a wonderful place to be.
So, if you are new to this and are just starting the journey - please don't feel you being punished or that you are poor or that you are never going to get ahead. It happens! Slowly but surely things work out. You just have to keep moving forward.... that is important. Don't give up. If you fail at something, that means you have another opportunity to try again.
No success comes without failure!!!!!!!!!
Do what you can. Start small. Be conscientious about your decisions. It all adds up.
YOU GOT THIS!!!!!
Smile and have a good day.
frugal is absolutely not about being cheap. Wise use of resources without waste. Spend $100,000 on something and use it use it use it. That's just as frugal as not letting produce spoil in the fridge.
ReplyDeleteHappy Tuesday everyone!
Great comment, Elle. YES. --Elise
DeleteYes mam. I like to buy quality - which often costs more - but it lasts.
DeleteA great post! I'm very careful and always have been about my use of water, electricity, etc. As you said, I'm just one person, but if everyone would do their bit, it could make a difference. Have a great day. Lynn Ewing
ReplyDeleteLynn, for me it's about money saved. Even a little bit at a time adds up fast. It's a shame it all became so politicized, because everyone cares about their wallet. Well... most folks do. --Elise
DeleteLynn I am the same way. I will gladly pay for utilities - as they are a true blessing. Many don't have them. That is why I try to limit use - so just maybe it leaves something for others, without a sacrifice.
DeleteOne person makes a little difference - but yes, they all add up.
I so agree with Miss Elle. Being frugal equals not being wasteful. Why scrimp to buy something and then not use it? I remember a commercial several years ago and a man was standing in his open front door, saying "Look, Dad, I'm heating the outdoors". One can surmise that as a child this man was admonished to close the door, turn off the lights as you leave a room and clean your plate. I thought at the time that is was a poor commercial.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I like the phrase "living the frugal (determined) lifestyle". We need to put thought into what we do. Consequences can be unpleasant if we don't think about what we are doing.
Gloomy day and we even had a few raindrops. However, January is almost over and soon we will see budding from the trees and bulbs popping up from the ground.
Exactly, Donna. We paid for ground mount solar with a back-up battery; our electric bill is below $25 per month and we get a rebate check each January from the power company (we're now part of their grid), but I *still* turn off lights, etc. A pellet stove heats our whole house in winter. I wouldn't dream of leaving doors open in the cold. Why waste even $6 worth of pellets? Might as well throw the money in the fire. It sounds old fashioned to some who don't consider saving $5 or $6 here and there adds up in just one month. You could have dinner at a steakhouse for that savings. Or save up for a weekend away. Or whatever. Think of "being green" as dollar bills accumulating. --Elise
DeleteDonna, I have never understood why people waste what they spent their hard earned money on. A lunch out today - is probably an hour or more of actual work. You buy and house and don't take care of it - how many hours of your life was spent on that house. Our hours at work, is time from family and hours of life we SPEND on stuff.
DeleteWe had quite a bit of rain earlier. Just dreary now. January is our darkest month!
LOVE this, Cheryl. And the timing is perfect. Yes, it usually begins about money...
ReplyDelete"Americans are paying on average $1,020 more each month compared with the same time two years ago." [Moody's Analytics]
Food prices are up 33.7% from the start of 2021. Energy prices are up 32.8%. All of which is good motivation for ANYONE to practice or develop habits that are deliberate and focused, making the most use of everything we spend on. Getting the best price possible when we do spend. Looking for low/no cost enjoyment or treats to keep spirits up. A potluck gathering can be more fun than a group dinner out.
It's not about "giving up" stuff. It's about "getting creative". And that becomes a lifestyle. JMO. Have a terrific Tuesday!
--Elise (who is soon off to the dentist)
I am not spending that much more per month!!!! Nope. I have figured out how to use less and stretch what I have.
DeleteOn average, I know people are spending more - but some of us don't even think about it.
Your just a walking Wikipedia!!! LOL. I don't pay attention to those figures that get posted. I figure whatever I read, there is someone behind it with an agenda. I just do me.
I love the creative process. Good luck at the dentist.
Aww...Elise, I'll sure be praying about that dental appointment.
DeleteThings here in the grocery department have def gone up, the only thing that hasn't are some of the loss leaders like the store brand frozen veggies. Hubs was brought up in a grocery store and he's appalled by what we are seeing. I think some stores also take advantage of a crisis of sorts. Makes me appreciate the ones who aren't ripping the customer off like that. But yea...Propane is def up too. Whew!
Such a great blog post, Cheryl. It's doing the little steps, bit by bit, and realizing, "Hey! I can do without this item." and then when you add all those little steps together it equals a pretty tidy sum.
ReplyDeleteBelinda, during our lengthy move, when we lived at our son's house for 3 months, it amazed me how little we actually needed to be comfortable. --Elise
DeleteThanks Belinda. yes, all the little bits make a difference. Not just money - but stuff. I think that is why so many of us keep decluttering. We get rid of stuff and it didn't hurt a bit - so let's do some more!
DeleteHello, all!
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful and sunny day!
I realized this morning that I had a pint of whipping cream that expired a week ago. It's was still good so I made the soup I had planned...a creamy chicken and rice...only to discover that I have no chicken. So, I doubled the brown rice. What a dork. But again, I did not lose that delicious cream.
Yeah, once you go into any kind of frugality, especially voluntarily, I think it's darn near impossible to give up. You might get a treat if Aunt Gerdie leaves you a million dollars, but chances are that you'll still be plagued by that leftover lasagna you defrosted lol. My friend and I have discussed that. When you grow up in Cali, there's always a shortage of something so school was always drilling 8nto us about saving water, electricity, etc. And that has never changed. I start to twitch when I see people walk away from a running faucet or pull down a mitt's worth of paper towels for a 2 oz. spill. It's not being judgemental at all, at least not consciously lol, but it does physically pain me lol. Thus the reason we use warm up water jugs, dump dishwater on the lawn, etc.
Good catch and save. I bet the soup was great too.
Deleteyep, it just becomes intrenched into our minds. I always said if I won big time lotto, I wouldn't live much differently. G used to say, that was because I would give it all away! LOL
I watched a YouTube one day talk about her hatred of plastics and how to not waste things.
She did a video of her grocery haul and everything was wrapped in plastic and she showed herself washing dishes and just letting the water run! (she was a CA gal). Well, you know me, I commented about it. She did say she hadn't realized it so much until I pointed it out! HUH????
Yep, catch that water and use for something - flush, flowers, pets, birdbaths, something!
This is a wonderful post, Cheryl, it's very encouraging. We too had to be frugal and it stuck. : ) Hubs was in business with his brother and that did *not* work out and he went into Real Estate, became a broker and we owned own company in oldtown. No regular paycheck for hubs, *only* commission and I've seen hubs go over and above, trust me. I went without a car for a long while, we shared his. When we finally got one for me, it was an old 70s dodge aspen station wagon with stick shift! I stayed home with our children and homeschooled too, what a blessing! I do know what it is like not to have hardly any maternity clothes etc. I remember standing at the fabric store in the dollar section trying to find two decent cotton fabrics to make two maternity tops with. We had homie little family (just us) birthday parties for our children and when we did invite other children we made our own cake, did hayrides, had a "Mommy party" with favorite dolls and little girls dressed like little ladies..(It was so cute), a hayride with their dollies too (we found a fixer upper in the country back then too). I made the party favors out of little natural wreaths from wally, I think 3 for a dollar. I did face painting and we played bingo. We counted *every* penny, we had to! No med insurance and that led us to delve into natural medicine and nutrition and I cannot tell you what a blessing that knowledge is and continues to be. God truly blessed and He continues to give good ideas and His ingenuity. I remember we would go to jason's deli on Wed. night because children ate free. Hubs and I would share a big baked potato and salad. Sometimes we would see other homeschool families there too! : ) Jason's offered that for years to families.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading of your journey, Cheryl. What a love, G sounds like! That's a beautiful thing. We too like simple things. When we bought homes, we would buy the homes no one else wanted and fix them up little by little. After time after time of doing that, we made a little extra and yes, God is faithful. We built our home now but even then, it was little by little. Cement (glazed with coffee and garden chemicals with a shine) floors and wooden counter tops until we saved for real ones etc. Just little by little.
Tomorrow we'll meet my mom and someone from rehab at the surgeon's office for a check up in big city. I pray that goes okay. Our second born, Joycie stopped by at the rehab today, she wheeled mother around the parking lot, and my mom said she's very tired. Joycie says she seems depressed but knows why she is there. I so am praying she will regain strength and walk with a rollator again.
I read your post to hubs, he enjoyed it too. He said it sounded a lot like us on a lot of things. I may have to send this to our girls, they will like it. It's hard for them too, so many around them spend money on professional photographers etc. for Christmas cards etc like it's the norm, and the fondant cakes for $100 for a bday cake. Nothing against photographers, our youngest is one and one of our daughters has the money to do things like that but I'm willing to bet she wouldn't do that every year, just when needing a big portrait of their family anyhow, not for a card. Oh well....Whatever we all get the jest. *giggle* I'm just rambling while I have a few moments.
Thank you for prayers, have a sweet day, I hope it's pretty over there and you can watch the birds. I hope to see some here today. I so covet your prayers for situation with my mom. Tomorrow morning will be appointment. I sure enjoyed your entry, love the comraderie. (((hugs))) ~Amelia
It is amazing the things we can do without and we didn't even miss them. We just made do. Not a lot of that going around today.
DeleteI love the sounds of the parties - how cool. I had one birthday party (with friends) and mom made the cake, and we played a few games, then played outside. It was exciting to me.
I have always taken pictures - something I love to do. A couple of friends asked me to do their daughters weddings (both outdoors). It was fun and the pics were great. That was my gift to them.
Hoping for a good day tomorrow with your mom and the rehab folks. She has to be depressed - her whole world has changed. You guys just continue to be patient with her and encourage. Many prayers.
Cheryl, your description of frugality NOT being just about money, but about habit, lifestyle and choice, hit the nail on the head...better than any definition I have ever read. I grew up doing without, always was a bit frugal after I married and came out of the frugal closet about 35 years ago. It has paid huge dividends in every part of my life! Thank you for this post and for the many good comments.
ReplyDeleteWell thank you so much!!! In my opinion it isn't just about money. We just need to be good stewards of thought and deed as well as money. It does pay huge dividends for sure.
DeleteLife just gets better and better.
Thank you again for your kind words.
Like you say being frugal might start out as saving money, but ends up being so much more. Over the years I have found myself becoming less wasteful, and not spending just for the sake of spending. I am trying to leave a smaller footprint on the earth and give more than I take.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
That is it in a nutshell. Leaving a smaller footprint! I like that.
DeleteIt just makes good common sense!
Ms. Cheryl I just have a comment about frugal living.
ReplyDeleteLook around at the state of this country.
People unable to make ends meet,losing their homes
can't afford groceries, nothing in an emergency fund.
A news story the other day said sixty six percent of all
house holds cannot pay for an emergency costing a thousand dollars.
They could end up homeless if they fell I'll for a short time.
I paid off all my debt once before except my house.
Then I ended up in debt again.
I hadn't changed the behavior that caused the problem.
If you don't change your behavior nothing will change.
Imagine the feeling of not being afraid to open your mail box.
Not being afraid of needing to pay a bill.
Frugality is does not punish you it frees you.
PREACH IT! Yes it is so freeing. I remember the days of being afraid to look at the mail or answer the phone (when I was single). It was horrible. The definition of insanity!!! Not changing anything but expecting different results! Yep, it only happens when we try!
DeleteI think there have been multiples for many of us over the years. I know I didn't learn at first - then finally the lightbulb went off! Only I could change things.
Thank you for your words - testimonial of sorts! Maybe that will resonate with someone reading this!!!!
I feel so bad for all the people having problems. Changes need to be made in their lives. Hopefully this helps someone.
A woman in the market parking lot asked me for money because she was hungry. She had manicured talons with fancy art. Do people have no shame?!
DeleteYou comment "I can do something" is the key to so many things in life. We all need to remember that, whether it relates to our life style, our goals, or dreams.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is the answer to most things we encounter. Something is better than nothing!
DeleteI was frugal because I grew up that way, and we needed to be frugal. Now, I can buy sandals for $150 but I still buy bogo at Publix. I can buy those leather sandals because I am frugal otherwise. Tommy will pay for any food I want because he sees how I will not buy Miracle Whip for $9.50 but wait until it is bogo. It is all about balance.
ReplyDeleteYes we save in some places to be able to afford other things. Balance is important.
DeleteThis post resonated with me. Remember the expression "Less is more"? So true.
ReplyDeleteI was in town for a couple days and my friend texted me that there was a 50 % off everything sale at my favourite thrift store. You know I could not be bothered; I can find plenty of my favorite things in my attic, waiting to be used.
Regarding grocery shopping, I'm finding I now prefer to buy just enough to get me to the next shopping day. Now I do have a great pantry but I don't need multiples of stuff. I did jump on a discounted ground beef find. Best before tomorrow and 40% off. Was on sale this week for $3.44 a pound so paid about $2. a pound. We had some burgers already and it was good. We call them 'fat burgers' as it was medium beef and fat cooked out but so deliciously beefy.
Weather continues mild and a much anticipated sun is expected to shine all weekend; I can't wait.
I do believe that saying in a lot of things. I haven't been to a thrift store to really shop in a few years now. I donate - but haven't really shopped in one. I haven't gone to yard sales in ages. I am like you, I have plenty here.
DeleteNow on groceries, I like keeping just enough fresh - but I want plenty IN CASE the next shopping trip can't come for a long while. Just never know.
What a great deal on the ground beef! I know a lot of people like to buy really lean gr. beef because they don't want to pay for the fat - but the fat adds so much flavor IMO!
Enjoy the mild weather and sunshine!
@Rita I loved this-
ReplyDelete"I can find plenty of my favorite things in my attic, waiting to be used."
I feel this way too.
I used to love randomingly going to the thrift store as I felt like I could buy and not feel guilty! LOL. Now I go with a specific item or items in mind. I felt about thrift stores now like I do regular retail stores-- I rather not go and I don't need to go!
I did go to a free craft swap on Saturday. But I thought about what I was looking for before I went. I came home with fabric I could use to make the new grandbaby some outfits and paper and stickers so my grandson and I could do art (we used them today!).
~margaret
Nothing wrong with not wanting to shop. I talk myself out of it a lot! Thrift or regular stores - if you don't need it - you don't need it. There again I think it is about wants and needs!
DeleteIt is amazing what we can live without. Sometimes we need those moments of 'trouble' to show us what is truly important. Sorry you went through all of that, but it sure was eye opening for you!
ReplyDeleteMom had some trinkets and things laying around when we were younger (gifts), but not a lot of extra stuff. You are right, there just wasn't a lot of stuff. Now my parents did keep EVERYTHING as they got older - it was different.
I had to laugh about the coke - I used to say that all the time.
You and your husband balance each other - that is important and great. Some people will never be frugal - but those other traits can be wonderful too!!!
I've been away and am just now catching up on things. For me, I was brought up in a frugal household, so it was a way of life -- single income household, mom with a grocery budget dictated by dad, and feeding a family of 6. Every little bit helped. Once married, two incomes and little debt led to a different lifestyle, where money was spent more freely. And it added up. After hubs passing, I was shattered by the amount of debt that was left on MY shoulders with just my income. It took work, but I came out of it (now nearly 10 years later) in a far better place and with new perspective. One thing I quickly learned (actually, re-learned) was the difference between a "want" and a "need". And that's what has gotten me to where I am today. And with rising prices, some of those "wants" are shifting to "needs". But it's making sure you have ample information before making a decision. Keep up the motivation, Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully expressed!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
Delete