"I'm so frugal that...."

I’m so frugal that:

You knew it was coming, right? Our economy isn’t out of the woods yet, and may not be for some time, but that does not mean that we have to walk around with long faces and wringing our hands 24/7. This is one of the best times to learn from one another about how to be frugal without depriving ourselves.

Alice, Carol and I were reminiscing about our frugal parents and grandparents, and how we learn from preceding generations. It’s true that we don’t just learn frugality; there are many, many lessons our families hand down but for the sake of today’s topic, let us share these “I’m so frugal that” tips with you, our readers:

From Carol, who says, “I’m so frugal that:”

· Our dinner menu is determined by what’s on sale at the market. If chickens are on a twofer, then we’re having chicken.
· I do not buy processed food. In the long run, it is not cheaper than real food to your wallet, to your waistline or to the environment.
· We cook almost every meal at home.
· My husband and I eat meatless meals several times a week.
· I am an admitted trash picker. I get a huge kick out of finding something useful in some else’s trash. Over the years, I have scored, among many other things: a perfectly good wicker coffee table, a practically new infant seat, an antique table, a vacuum cleaner (it lasted for 25 more years), and two radiator covers. The radiator covers alone saved us around $900.
· When the strap on one of my Skechers broke off, I cut off the strap on the other shoe so they would match.
· I wash out plastic food storage bags and reuse them.
· My husband and I bathe the dog and clip her nails ourselves instead of paying a doggie salon to do it. Plus, Doggie is going to be vacationing at a friend’s house instead of a kennel the next time we leave town. In return, I’ll be baking for our friend.
· I have rediscovered the public library. When I do have to buy a book, I always buy a used version if I can find one.
· When I renew my cell phone contract, I always take the free phone.
· When my husband and I go to the movies, we see the second-run shows at the discount movie theater for $5.

From Alice, who is so frugal that,

· I freeze my bread and only take out as much as I will use in a day. For one person, this saves because bread gets moldy after a few days.
· I make empty boxes into cat beds, and when they get dirty (or too full of hair) I just recycle and put a new one down.
· I carry a protein bar in my bag at all times so I am not tempted to eat “fast food” if I am out and get hungry. I carry bottles of water in my car for the same reason.
· I used the suggestions in Margi’s “PAWS” For Savings eBook for cat toys.

Thanks to Carol and Alice for the frugal tips, but we would love to hear from you. Please let us know what you do to save money, time, energy—it doesn’t matter; if you’re frugal, we all want to hear about it!

Posted by Margi L. Washburn