Guest blog by MyFreedomWings I think a lot of people are under the impression that being frugal means living without.
That’s because you can't...or mostly, refuse to pay more than a certain amount for that book, DVD, or game you've been wanting.
The thing is it was just so much easier NOT to be frugal for a long time. No work and all the instant benefits.
Well, nowadays it's easier than ever to be frugal and still get the things you want without spending gazillions of dollars. It just requires a person to think outside the box.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Did you know that there's now a growing barter movement because of how things thoroughly sucked in 2008 (maybe with a little help from environmentalists)?
Whether you're trading your neighbor a bag of apples for a book, or going online to barter websites where you send people books or DVD to get similar items...that's the movement. And in reality, it's a ton cheaper than going to a store or online for something.
Also because of the times, people are itching to get rid of things. So now more than ever there's awesome stuff waiting for you at church sales and flea markets.
A lot of people groan about the notion of buying brand new jeans at a store for ten to twenty bucks.
It may feel like a bad greeting card, but less really is more.
Cheap is good and you don't have to sacrifice for quality either. In fact, the more you refuse to pay high prices the more likely that good quality companies will compete with each other to see who can have the lowest price to get the most sales.
It's how the economy used to work before. You know before it all got out of whack and is now working on what they're calling freakanomics.
So, for the last month or so I've seen the post from Dollarish asking that question you see in the title, "Are you frugal? How do you do it?"
Here's how I'm frugal:
I'm in love with barter, I prefer to shop in flea markets and when push come to shove, if I've no other option I will choose online over actual stores.
I prefer organic and it's cheaper out here in the sticks where it's mostly farms. How do I accomplish this?
Well, a ton of farmers put up stands in their front yards with produce, and if I don't want to go traipsing all over the neighborhood I can go to the farmer's market (which locally there are several), and when this is not viable I grow my own food.
Anyone can do it. If you're stuck in an apartment, you might need to grow under lights but you can still do it and depending on what you grow you might not need even that (like dandelions, which are very edible and hard to kill), and urban gardening/farming is all the rage right now.
Finally, I'm trying to learn to do a ton of things myself. Naturally, in the sticks, I was always taught this was a virtue, so while I know how to sew, I'm still savvy with computers like a lot of kids these days, and I'm okay with a hammer and some nails. I'm lacking in the mechanics department.
That is trying to learn how computers are put together, how solar panels work, fill in the gaps on cars, as well as plumbing and heating stuff I should probably have known before this point.
I'm taking the frugal thing to heart, it means, "Living for less, living simply, and living wisely".
What does being frugal mean to you? And what are your favorite methods, or accomplishments as a frugal minded person?
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Comments (6)
Do It Yourself is a big key in being frugal to me. I hope to still hold this mind set when I move out and have my own place. Nuts to chemical cleaners, commercial products, and advertisements that tell me such-and-such will be more cost effective. I can make cleaners myself out of baking soda, vinegar, water, and a sturdy cloth.
On that same note, living green is a surprising way to save money. Honestly, I think green cleaners that you can buy are a waste of money since you can easily make your own. Women can save on reusable menstrual products like cloth pads and silicone/rubber cups in place of pads and tampons - the initial investment is about $15-$30, but the lasting effect is thousands saved on buying and contributing to land fill waste.
If I really need to shop, I only shop for bargains. I tend to avoid regular price items because it's bound to be on sale somewhere. I don't find overpriced slave labor brand names appealing, so that certainly helps. I could have bought a plain white tank top from A&F for like $30, but I went to a department store and got the same, also of good quality, for a nice, modest $2. There aren't any flea markets in my area, but I remember being on vacation in China, and you can barter for everything there.
A great thing to do is plan well. You'd be amazed at how much money you save planning out your meals for a week, or even a month, and taking one trip to the grocery store with a list of JUST what you need for that week or month, avoiding all other temptations. So much money is blown on uneaten, unnecessary food otherwise. Also, practically anything can be recycled, so take advantage of it. There are a lot of disposable things I can just give to my birds to play with (so long as it's bird safe, obviously) and at the same time, it saves me money on expensive toys. I make bird toys at home, and have considered making my own perches as well.
If you network with the right people, you can have someone to turn to whenever you have an issue. Find friends who are car savvy, computer savvy, tech savvy, animal savvy, health savvy, food savvy, etc. Before blowing hard earned money on something frivolous just to have your -insert gadget/need- checked out, it'd be great to have an experienced opinion on the status of this-or-that first. Monetary reasons aside, friends in general are good.
Yeah I agree that you don't have to give things up to save money. As long as you always buy things on sale, look for special deals, and shop in discount stores you're good.
I think you made an excellent point that living frugally isnt always about living without - it is about making choices!
I think everyone here has great ideas. It is all about making the right choices. Before you buy something, think about whether you really need it, how will it help, how many hours do you have to work to buy that,.... If you buy it, can you swap with a neighbor or friend for something else when you are done with it? Can you make community purchases with friends and relatives and swap items? It depends on what it is. When buying books for babies, it is better to buy new, unused. Babies put things in their mouths. If the books are still in great shape afterwards, you can always donate to your local library. Look into ways to get free books or discounted quality educational books. Early reading and Education makes the difference. Limit the video games and tv. Unplug appliances and tv when not in use. There are so many ways to be frugal.
Sales change every 2 weeks on www.suesbooks.info
Enter monthly drawing for $50.
I begin with the end in mind, at least, I do this with the budget. I start off with how much income we get a month, and deduct expenses from that amount. If our expenses exceed our income, that's definitely a sign to cut back/cut out stuff.
People also forget that income is EARNED, not made. Your income will not increase unless you do something about it -- whether it's put in more hours, get a 2nd job, or find a higher paying job, sell your belongings, etc.
As for good expense categories to cut down on, try getting a lower internet speed for less $; cutting out premium movie channels on cable tv; taking chips & dip, soda, brand-name coffee, etc. off the grocery list, and that sort of thing.
Also, if you are truly struggling, then this is NOT the best time to buy in bulk! Just cuz' you can get $5 off a $20 item if you buy 5 of them -- it's not a good enough reason to buy in bulk. Nobody needs 50 rolls of toilet paper bought through a "good deal" if it means not having enough $ for food before your next paycheck, unless you intend to eat the toilet paper..!
I've known people who have traded in their vehicles for a cheaper one or one that's better with gas mileage. There are those who have gone as far as downsize their homes (and the mortgage that came with it).
Habits are hard to break, but sometimes a lack of funds makes it easier to cut down or quit. My spouse has drastically cut down his smoking to about 1 to 1.5 packs a day & switched to the cheapest brands. That's a really hard thing to do so I don't expect most people to do it. Take a look at this: If you smoked 1 pack a day at $4 a pack, that's $120 a month you're using to kill yourself slowly (& those around you) and add to your health bills later on. That comes out to $120 a month you could've used to feed your family or use on gas! And in one year, that totals $1,440!
My hubby is also an avid 24/7 coffee drinker, but he's gone from the $5 a cup of coffee, to the huge can of no-name brand coffee for $5 that's brewed on our $10 twelve-cup coffeemaker.
Most people refuse to give up their cable, internet, name-brand coffee, or whatever & consider these necessities... but honestly, you cannot spend more than what you earn. So the bottom line is either you cut back on your expenses, or you start earning more money.
Getting clothes from flea markets is kinda a turn off. You don't know what the clothes been through, if they have fleas or lice or crab lice or something like that.
Other than clothes... unless you really think about all the turn offs flea markets can be.. its cool (: