Hello to all. Hope you are all well and safe on this pretty morning. It is cool, but very pretty at the moment. I am looking forward to a couple warmer days this weekend.
I will sure be glad when this basketball stuff is over! That is all that is on the TV around here lately. I don't watch a lot of new shows that are out there, I watch older TV programs when I watch, and those channels have been basketball! Time to turn it off and read!
Just a little talk about having a good foundation in all we do today. Your home, shed, garage, etc. needs to built on a good foundation. Many of us believe that a good foundation is needed in our spiritual life. Well, our financial lives need that as well.
'Finance' sounds intimidating. 'Thrift' sounds more attainable. They are both about your money and they go hand in hand. With the first we often think stocks, 401K, the trading floor. With the second we think of cooking at home, thrift stores and gardening. Well, actually we need some of both.
Your thrifty house still needs a good foundation.
You need to be aware but not consumed!!!
Newton taught us that what goes up always comes down. Such is our financial life as well. There will be good times and there will be bad times. Do not PANIC - just keep on going forward. Do not make hasty decisions. Stuff happens in life - job loss, inflation, sickness, emergencies, etc. If you have a stable foundation, you will manage to get through it. You can't just sweep your debt under the rug - you have to take care of it. Get rid of your debt as soon as you can - life will feel so much better and freeing.
FEAR is never a good organizing principle - nor is it a good way to live. So now is the time, if you haven't done so before, to sweep out the cobwebs, open your eyes and get your home and wallet in order. You will be able to make smart choices and not hasty ones. You will be able to face whatever comes your way with confidence.
Learn different ways to do things, learns old ways (they are really smart ways), stop waste in all aspects of life, and don't despair!
Small changes in life, can make a big difference when added up.
We talk about so many things and ways to save here, I just hope they help some folks out. Don't let your self-image be stuff! Let it be a calm and happy lifestyle. Let it be a simpler way. Let it be joy and not constant worry. When you live that way, reality can happen and not throw you off your foundation.
The more YOU control your life, the less vulnerable you will be in a crisis or emergency.
ONLY you can reduce your stress levels and emotional turmoil, thus being a bit healthier as well. Life is short folks, so do each day as best you can - PLEASE don't spend it in a panic.
You are NOT living a second-class life by living a frugal or thrifty lifestyle. You will be living a good life. Thrift is good for the person with money and the person on a tight budget.
Do not feel sorry for yourself. Know you are surviving and doing your best. Your life is what some people strive for in this world - we tend to forget just how much we DO have.
You can do it. Baby steps, slow and steady - any of the old cliche's sum it up. Don't panic, don't be hasty, think and plan, and just keep on trucking!!!
Today is a gift - make it good.
Have a wonderful and blessed day and weekend.
(you all know my rules!)
So true! Living below your means sets you up for less stress. Have great day!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, that is what I believe as well. It sure has worked for me. The lessons I learned years ago have helped me in so many ways. You to!
DeleteI think this is good advice, always. I know people who say "it's only money, you can't take it with you" and they just spend and spend. Uff Dah.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Yes, some just spend and spend and have debt out the wazoo. I think many figure they will never pay for it anyway, so why not. Somebody pays for it - and it usually comes back on us.
DeleteJust being prepared for anything is a sound way to live ALWAYS. Living within/below our means.
"You are NOT living a second-class life by living a frugal or thrifty lifestyle." Truer words never spoken! I consider that a more peaceful and serene life. This morning I was reading a post by a fashion blogger, and she always lists links to items in her outfits. $225 for a pair of jeans?? No, thank you! I get ideas from her and then check my closet or the charity shops.
ReplyDeletePretty day...so far. The Farmer says we may get rain later on. The yards are greening up and flowers blooming like crazy.
Enjoy your weekend, you and Bits!
Peaceful and serene screams RICH to me! There are so many ways to be rich than $$. The jeans I got at Ollie's last week were 9.99 at Ollie's. The were of all things Martha Stewart designer jeans. Really pretty with sewn appliques. I can only imagine what true retail was originally. Good enough for me and some summer fun!
DeleteClouding a bit here now, but it is warmer than most of the week has been. I do believe storms are in our future later. Yes, the world is coming to life.
Thanks!
You are so right a bargain ain't a bargain unless you need it!
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Just product wasted and money lost.
DeleteOh Cheryl, You are so right.
ReplyDeleteBecause I am thrifty/frugal I have the gift of more time also. Time to look around and just enjoy. There are so many people that are homeless, hungry and scared .... they would love to just have a bit of what we have and enjoy.
I am also over it with the basketball, does that make me a poor Hoosier? LOL
Thats when I enjoy my recorded old movies....
JCKitty
Yes! We have more time, it's calmer, and life is just more enjoyable. I have money I can gift or donate and I/we can do things or buy things that are important to us without feeling bad. An emergency isn't a disaster. It is pretty nice.
DeleteIndeed - there are people in this country that would love our lifestyle. There are people in other countries that would think us all super wealthy.
Well, if you are a bad Hoosier - so am I! I dread this month every year! I am catching up on some older programs - nothing new on TV for a while.
I watch “influencer” videos and some cover fashion. I take some ideas but find the concept of looking “expensive” very puzzling. Do they mean to look rich? If someone looks expensive to me that means they do things that cost a lot, or spend in ways I do not, which is not the type of person I would seek as a friend. Fortunately I have had some very down to earth friends, and they are a treasure. I appreciate your wisdom. Many days it speaks to my heart.
ReplyDeleteI am just me - take it or leave it. I like what I like, and don't care if it is in style or not. What I see as "style" is pretty revolting looking in my book. I don't know what they mean or what they are trying to say. We are all different and we should be happy to reflect that. Be ourselves 100%.
DeleteThank you so much, I appreciate that.
My first year of retirement I shopped too much. Having more time I thought I was so clever seeking out great bargains all the time. But all I was doing was adding clothes, shoes etc when I already had plenty. And the "bargains" added up over months and suddenly my retirement income wasn't stretching as planned.
ReplyDeleteI have learned my lesson and now will only buy the occasional thing if I really need it, or sometimes absolutely fall in love with it.
It happens. It happens to all of us at times. Sometimes people get a windfall, or change their lifestyle and then go crazy with shopping. It is amazing how much we all really have. Still more amazing, what we really have that we need or use!!!
DeleteGlad you figured it out and hoping it didn't give you big debt.
Oh Cheryl, I just love you and your sound advice! You inspire me!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kay - that is so sweet. I just want to pass a little advice that may help someone else.
DeleteI was very, very happy with the sales I got this week on photography props needed for work. Very happy. Then today at Aldi, soooo many great deals on real whole foods. LOOOOVE that!
ReplyDeleteYAY - good for you. It sure makes one happy when you find things you need and for a good price.
DeleteHi. I have just found you’r blog a little while ago.I like what you wrote . I am in the process of reassessing. After some difficult years with little income. That unfortunately meant gong into debt. Now things are looking better. I was wondering . What are your rules? Tina
ReplyDeleteTina glad you found your way here. I think we have all had some bad moments in life and well, debt happens. I am glad things are going better for you now, and you are looking ahead. Just go slow and steady and save what you can for a rainy day. You don't want to go through those bad times again. Hopefully you will find a lot of good ideas to help you go forward.
DeleteLOL - the rule is no politics. I refuse to discuss it on here.
LOL. Nope no discussing politics! I wouldn’t. I was just wondering if you had some rules applying to frugal living . I”ve seen some where the will not buy meat if its over a certain price. Things like that. I have read quite a few of your blog posts. You have a lot of years to go through!
DeleteFor got.. this is Tina
DeleteI have tried to make living a frugal and thrifty life a game. One that Harvey and I love to play. Now I am trying to simplify and making a game of that as well. It's a great deal of fun to see where you can save money and find what you really need and not just want.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It is always fun to find some new way of be thrifty and to simplify. Having a little game just makes it fun and interesting. Good for you.
DeleteAmen :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteYes, look at frugality and simplifying as a game sometimes, that makes it fun.
ReplyDeleteI love not having to worry about whether I look "stylish". I find it amazing what a colorful scarf or a pretty pin can do for even a sweatshirt. Always brush my hair. Always put on earrings. Try my best to wear a smile. :) No money involved at all.
MaryB
Indeed. It is fun. Every time I make strides or get a bit ahead - it is a little celebration. It can be fun. That is what makes it interesting.
DeleteYou are so correct, just a little bit of what we have or a clean look is all we need - no need to be a fashionista in my book.
It doesn't have to cost a single penny!
I love the thrifty lifestyle and it has helped me tremendously over the years. Excellent advice in your blog post!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I love it too Belinda - it is now just my daily activity. I can't imagine not being thrifty.
DeleteCompletely off (this) topic but I would love if you could do a post giving guidance about how long to keep some food, mainly leftovers. I had 7 family over yesterday for lunch and due to their differing tastes I cooked and put out way too much food. They took some home, but now I am looking at the fridge and wondering how long I can use some of it, particularly the salads.
ReplyDeleteI would say on salads, as long as they look fresh and aren't wilted. Now if they have mayo in them, I wouldn't use after 3 or so days. That's just me. Most food can be kept for a good 4 or 5 days and still be safe, as long as you heat thoroughly. Think holidays - Thanksgiving is on Thursday and we are usually eating leftovers until Monday or so. Hope that helps at the moment - that is a good idea for a post. Thanks.
DeleteSuper encouraging post! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteBeautiful post
ReplyDeletePlease read my post
ReplyDelete