I have been a frugal woman all my life. And it seems I am always researching or joining a group in an attempt to find ways to be even more frugal. And in my quest for information I have found this; one size doesn't always fit all.
So many times I will read a post on a subject and many others will comment after it that this is the wrong way and their way is right. For instance, I have seen people post how to save money on gasoline in their car by combining errands, tune up, etc. And others will post nasty comments below it telling them they should not OWN a car, they should use public transportation, ride a bike, or walk. Oh, really? I live approximately 70 miles from the nearest town that has public transportation. Due to arthritis, bike riding is out. Since the closest town is about a 5 mile round trip walk, that is out, too.
And if I posted that, I am sure many commenters would start typing I should move. I have a beautiful home in a small town with over half an acre of land. Before we moved to this home, I did some research. Twenty miles up the road in a town with more shopping areas than mine, a home similar to mine, with a postage stamp yard, is over twice what I paid for this one. Sprinkle in a higher crime rate, more traffic, the noise, and the higher taxes and, to me, it is a better deal to be here.
Some people, when they read a post on stockpiling a pantry, will post messages telling them it is wrong, they are hoarders, and telling them how THEY do it, and that their way is the right way. This one size for all doesn't fit me, either. I live in a rural area where shopping is limited. And since there is little competition here the prices are sky high. So I don't shop often. When I do, I spend a day shopping, separating, and storing my food/non-food items properly. I rotate my stock. I save a fortune by doing it this way, not only on my items but the gas I save from not having to run to the store to buy an item I am out of.
Last year a freak storm came through and power was out in our area for over a week. Those who did not plan ahead had to drive 20 miles up the road to eat several times a day. And then while they were gone they had visitors called looters. Since I had a fully stocked pantry (and a generator) I stayed put, and so did my belongings. I don't judge those that feel they don't need extra food on the shelf, but it is the right size for me!
Another subject I see arguments posted on so many times is vegetarian vs meat eaters. I recall seeing a post on how to stretch hamburger. And below the post the comments started on how if the poster would eat they way THEY ate, they would not eat meat, be a vegetarian. And of course the comment rambled on and on. Now I am not dissing vegetarians, to each their own. But please, I am a meat eater, let me be! I like beef steak well done, with steak sauce. Tofu just isn't the same thing!
Everybody does different things as we walk through life. I recall one group having this thread that you only need 100 items in your home, nothing else. WHAT? And take away my cook book collection I love reading? My music boxes that I wind up and listen too when I am in the mood? No, sorry, this may be for you, but not for me. That one size doesn't fit me, either.
Now I am not a big TV watcher. But in the winter when getting out is hard to do, I love to watch classic movies. (Can we say "Arsenic and Old Lace"?) And since this is what I REALLY enjoy, we have TIVO. I can hear people gasping now and typing furiously "YOU DON'T NEED TIVO! GO TO THE LIBRARY AND GET FREE DOCUMENTARIES FOR FREE TO WATCH!" No, I don't think so.
I believe I will pop my microwave popcorn I purchased last month at Sams, kick back in my comfy chair I purchased at a Salvation Army for only $4.50, drink my tea made from mega sized tea bags and kept cold in the fridge sitting in a gallon glass jar that is a recycled pickle jar, and hit the play button on the remote and enjoy a classic movie. I am saving a fortune by not jumping in my car, driving 25 miles to a theater, paying to get in, and then paying $20 for popcorn and soda. I like my way, it fits me, and it makes me happy. (And yes, I drink lots of water, but I like a soda. Maybe some don't but I do.)
No, one size just doesn't fit all!
Have a wonderful Frugal life, but do it your way. Because, one size doesn't fit all. :-0
I loved your post. People who are insecure in their choices feel threatened by those who have made different choices. I think that attitude includes everything under the sun, not just frugal living. Frugal living is different for everyone. It means making the best life with the resources you have and for your particular circumstances. Also, it takes into consideration what you like to do. I will never sew my own clothes. I think it is an admirable thing to do- it just isn't for me.
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I am in a pickle here. I already do so much to be frugal, water down the dish soap, reuse the jars and plastic tubs, wash in cold, turn of he lights all kinds of stuff. But due to an unforeseen situation making a lot less money than I planned and there are 2 of us and children on the weekend. Any frugal tips would be appreciated. Thanks.
Here are a few things I am doing to cut down on expenses:
1. Use coupons and try to match them with the weekly offers from CVS and Walgreens. This week the Gillette razor is on sale at Walgreens for $8.99 with $4 back in reward bucks and there is a $4 off coupon in yesterday's Sunday paper. It only costs about a dollar then. If you do not get a newspaper, try to find another way to get coupons either on freecycle or Craig's List.
2. Put requests on freecycle for items that you need. Last spring I asked for a young men's tuxedo for my son's junior prom. Someone gave me a tux for free. It saved me about $100 in rental fees! In turn, if you have something you don't use that you can offer, it's best to post it on the site.
3. Try not to buy paper napkins, cups and plates.
4. Make dressings and sauces from scratch. I found a homemade chocolate syrup recipe that is a lot less expensive than buying Hershey's syrup.
5. Save "my coke rewards" points to earn free movie rentals at Blockbuster (only if you drink Coke products or have people give you their unused points). Or go to the local library and check out DVDs or videos. Use the Redbox kiosk for $1 per night. Borrow or swap DVDs with your friends.
6. Volunteer at local festivals by taking tickets or working a food booth. Sometimes you earn free admission or food coupons to the event just for volunteering.
7. Try to shop at a bulk food store for flour, sugar and spices. It can be much cheaper.
8. If you can get by with 2% milk, use it instead of whole milk. It's usually less expensive.
9. Try to have a few meatless meals each week. It's less expensive and better for you.
10. Shop the dollar stores for cleaning supplies. Or make your own cleaning supplies using vinegar and baking soda.
Here are some tips my mother-in-law did.
Wash and reuse your plastic bags. Do not use waxed paper, saran wrap, tin foil, sandwich baggies, etc, if you can use a recycle plastic bag instead -- bread bags, produce bags, and so on. Use the wax paper from the inside of cereal boxes.
Use worn out socks and tee shirt, even boxers for cleaning cloths -- no swifter cloths or stuff like that.
Eat food that is in season, buy day old bread from the bakery, or better yet, make your own. If you live in a rural area, you can get eggs and produce from local farmers that will be less expensive, and much nicer likely than that in the supermarket.
Shop at the thrift stores and garage sales for clothes, dishes, items that you would ordinarily get from Walmart.
If you haven't already done so, reduce the amount of phones you have, the services you pay for, -- figure out which is cheaper -- land or cellular. Here in Canada, land lines are cheaper. Get the cheapest TV service you can -- maybe an antenna and only local channels are the way to go -- borrow videos from your friends or the library. Listen to music instead. Play board games with your kids.
Ask relatives to give money for Christmas and birthday gifts instead of toys or clothes. Or have a list so the gift is something that you really need and not a luxury item that you could do without, or have a cheaper alternative from somewhere else.
Use rechargable batteries.
Grow a garden.
Don't throw out leftovers. Use them for the next meal somehow, or have them for lunches. Freeze single servings for times when there is only one person to feed. Make "soup of the day" out of leftovers. (For example, you have one meatball, a few mixed veggies, and some rice. Make soup for two by crumbling the meatball, adding the veggies and rice, some chicken boulline powder, maybe some spices or ketchup or something.)
Don't waste anything. My mother-in-law made a quilt out of woolen sock tops. It's not a particularly attractive quilt, but because it was woolen, I'll bet it was warm. I love that quilt because it is so characteristic of her. She wasted nothing, re-used and recycled everything.
My best money saving tip. Buy a bottle of soap that comes out as foam. When the soap runs out, put about a tablespoon of the cheapest hand soap you can find and fill the rest up with water. Give it a little shake and you have a brand new bottle of soap. It has been 7 years since I was first given a bottle of the foam soap free with a purchase and when it ran out, I bought a half gallon bottle of hand soap at Walmart for 3.50 and have only used about one fourth of it. It has now been seven years and I have had to replace the foam pumpers a couple of times but am still using that first bottle of soap I got at Walmart. I can't think of a better way to say money. It actually even lasts longer than bar soap also. You can also use dish soap if you have a favorite. Just be sure not to use too much soap. I have sometimes only used a teaspoon. It's been fun to brag about my savings all of these years.
Excellent ideas so far! Here are some more :-)
Unplug appliances that aren't necessary like coffee pot, toaster, TV, radio, computer, electric tooth brush recharger, etc. when not in use. Turn down the thermostat even just one more degree (or up if central air).
This one sounds gross: If you pay for water flush the toilet only about every four uses (unless it's brown) and even if you don't pay for water it conserves our water.
Turn the water off while brushing teeth until it's time for the rinse cycle and ditto when soaping down in the shower or soaping/scrubbing the dishes ...
Check out '10 for 10 dollar' deals at your local grocery stores (coupons can also be deducted on top of that) but only stock up on items you usually eat or use.
Sell items you no longer need or use on consignment at thrift or second hand stores.
Last month my 'bundle' for cable (phone, computer and TV) came up for renewal and the price was going to double (which would have become the amount of 1/3 of what I pay for my apartment rent) :-o I simply called and said I couldn't afford and needed to possibly cancel my services and was there something they could do to help me ... The agent put me on hold and came back with a new 'bundle' that cost less than the year before.
Hope these ideas have been help for you :-)
When cooking this is how I try to save. I cook two chickens plain in the crockpot or oven roast and then store for different. Meals like tacos, burritos, sandwiches, chicken and biscuit chicken pot pies etc. This way you only use oven or crock pot once. I got two 3 pd. chickens in my crockpot (took the same amount of time to cook two as one)!
Things like that can help save a little bit more. You already are doing great. One thing I know the worst electricity current suckers are electric toothbrushes that are left plugged in! And computers and tvs. Unplug what you can. Good luck lots of good ideas here.
I am looking for ways to be frugal.
By Jeanne from VA
