Just curious who else is living super frugal

[LindaB220]

Hi I am new reading back posts as I go.... but I spotted something right away I can contribute... I am a city girl... even though I have eighteen acres I am not living there at this time. My Grandpa was a share cropper... Dad has shared many of those stories with me.

I have gathered Mustard greens here in San Diego.... filled my jacket and strapped it to the back of my saddle. Seared in bacon grease... and served up with what ever meat you have for dinner... Wild greens are pretty bitter so sprinkle with a little vinegar.... OMG good.

.deb

This sounds so delish, Deb I'm going to do that.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
You have to pick them before they run their flower shoots up.... When we buy them in the store I fill four of those clear plastic bags up with them for a single pot of Mustard greens. Wash em really good.

deb

 

[DennisK]

This is a kind of grumpy negative thing to inject, but I think it is worth your attention:
In an attempt at being frugal, I started shopping at our local WalMart store. This turned out to be a mistake because my pocket was picked and I lost $700 in cash. Any savings I thought I was saving turned into a cost that was far greater than any savings I would have gained over a number of years. I should have known better, because I had noticed that the population of street beggars in that area has grown during the last decade. The economy, being what it is, hasn’t helped in this situation, and I am seeing it get worse. People seem to be getting bolder in their attempts at taking what they can’t get. So, this is something us bargain hunters should take into account – be aware of the environment you are going into, and if you aren’t prepared to enter like Briggs would, find someplace else more pleasant to hunt for bargains.
I have removed my blood pressure medicine from the Walmart pharmacy and found a drug source that is even cheaper – a mail-in pharmacy that my insurance company sponsors; so now I am $50.00 richer each three months. Turning my back on Walmart may not be as difficult as I first imagined.

 

[perchie.girl]

I got mugged in front of PayLess drug store about thirteen years ago. Middle class America Not a high crime area either.... Only difference was they had just opened the trolly line into town.

I was coming from the hair dresser digging in my purse looking for a dollar to rent a movie.... Not paying attention. Purse kind of slung still on my shoulder. I looked up and a man was running toward me. I thought he looked like a grocery store worker so I went back to digging. He slammed me shoulder to shoulder and grabbed my purse strap.

Because of my years of working with horses This is not unfamiliar territory.... I set my weight into the ground and braced for him to come to the end of the rope..... FWIW even though he was taller than me I out weighed him.

He pulled me off my feet and dragged me about three feet before he let go.

No one saw it.... I had to go into the store and holler "Ive been mugged" Whew boy that got everyones attention.

The detective who took down my story said this was a fellow that had been working the area... I was able to give a description.

Any hoo during this "economic climate" its good to keep an eye out for your surroundings... Keep money some place other than your wallet. I go to the store during non peak hours if I can... easier to get a handicapped spot and easier to get a scooter if you need one. And dont be afraid to ask if someone will walk you to your car. Most times someone will even if its a manager.

I worked at a very busy gas station/convenience store when i could stand on my feet... I got to know all the homeless people by sight and name in our area. Most are pretty decent some are off meds so they talk crazy but they are shooable.... But being familiar with them I could spot ones that just didnt belong and kept a very wary eye on them.

Its called being frugal with your life.

deb

 

[DennisK]

I got mugged in front of PayLess drug store about thirteen years ago. Middle class America Not a high crime area either.... Only difference was they had just opened the trolly line into town.

I was coming from the hair dresser digging in my purse looking for a dollar to rent a movie.... Not paying attention. Purse kind of slung still on my shoulder. I looked up and a man was running toward me. I thought he looked like a grocery store worker so I went back to digging. He slammed me shoulder to shoulder and grabbed my purse strap.

Because of my years of working with horses This is not unfamiliar territory.... I set my weight into the ground and braced for him to come to the end of the rope..... FWIW even though he was taller than me I out weighed him.

He pulled me off my feet and dragged me about three feet before he let go.

No one saw it.... I had to go into the store and holler "Ive been mugged" Whew boy that got everyones attention.

The detective who took down my story said this was a fellow that had been working the area... I was able to give a description.

Any hoo during this "economic climate" its good to keep an eye out for your surroundings... Keep money some place other than your wallet. I go to the store during non peak hours if I can... easier to get a handicapped spot and easier to get a scooter if you need one. And dont be afraid to ask if someone will walk you to your car. Most times someone will even if its a manager.

I worked at a very busy gas station/convenience store when i could stand on my feet... I got to know all the homeless people by sight and name in our area. Most are pretty decent some are off meds so they talk crazy but they are shooable.... But being familiar with them I could spot ones that just didnt belong and kept a very wary eye on them.

Its called being frugal with your life.

deb

I got mugged in front of PayLess drug store about thirteen years ago. Middle class America Not a high crime area either.... Only difference was they had just opened the trolly line into town.

I was coming from the hair dresser digging in my purse looking for a dollar to rent a movie.... Not paying attention. Purse kind of slung still on my shoulder. I looked up and a man was running toward me. I thought he looked like a grocery store worker so I went back to digging. He slammed me shoulder to shoulder and grabbed my purse strap.

Because of my years of working with horses This is not unfamiliar territory.... I set my weight into the ground and braced for him to come to the end of the rope..... FWIW even though he was taller than me I out weighed him.

He pulled me off my feet and dragged me about three feet before he let go.

No one saw it.... I had to go into the store and holler "Ive been mugged" Whew boy that got everyones attention.

The detective who took down my story said this was a fellow that had been working the area... I was able to give a description.

Any hoo during this "economic climate" its good to keep an eye out for your surroundings... Keep money some place other than your wallet. I go to the store during non peak hours if I can... easier to get a handicapped spot and easier to get a scooter if you need one. And dont be afraid to ask if someone will walk you to your car. Most times someone will even if its a manager.

I worked at a very busy gas station/convenience store when i could stand on my feet... I got to know all the homeless people by sight and name in our area. Most are pretty decent some are off meds so they talk crazy but they are shooable.... But being familiar with them I could spot ones that just didnt belong and kept a very wary eye on them.

Its called being frugal with your life.

deb

Sorry to hear of your experience perchie.girl. Your assailant may have been a male, but he sure wasn’t a man! I’m glad he didn’t get away with your purse. This sort of thing never happened to me before – it was kind of shocking. I informed personnel at Walmart, but all I got was a shrug. I suppose this sort of thing happens a lot.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote: A shrug would have ticked me off.... I am soo sorry you had to go through this... ANd i am glad you found another safer source for you meds.

I dont know if you have a Costco in your area... but they are also an excellent source for generic meds... the stuff that is commonly prescribed like blood pressure and stuff like that... If you are a member they are like five bucks per perscription. If you dont have insurance.... AND if you dont want to pay the annual fee at costco you can still go in and get your prescriptions filled. The cost goes to ten bucks.... still cheaper than many copays.

deb

 

[cwrite]

This is a kind of grumpy negative thing to inject, but I think it is worth your attention:
In an attempt at being frugal, I started shopping at our local WalMart store. This turned out to be a mistake because my pocket was picked and I lost $700 in cash. Any savings I thought I was saving turned into a cost that was far greater than any savings I would have gained over a number of years. I should have known better, because I had noticed that the population of street beggars in that area has grown during the last decade. The economy, being what it is, hasn’t helped in this situation, and I am seeing it get worse. People seem to be getting bolder in their attempts at taking what they can’t get. So, this is something us bargain hunters should take into account – be aware of the environment you are going into, and if you aren’t prepared to enter like Briggs would, find someplace else more pleasant to hunt for bargains.
I have removed my blood pressure medicine from the Walmart pharmacy and found a drug source that is even cheaper – a mail-in pharmacy that my insurance company sponsors; so now I am $50.00 richer each three months. Turning my back on Walmart may not be as difficult as I first imagined.

Sorry to hear that Dennis, but it's a good point.

deb - that is awesome that he didn't manage to get your handbag! Lean & brace.

 

[LindaB220]

This is a kind of grumpy negative thing to inject, but I think it is worth your attention:
In an attempt at being frugal, I started shopping at our local WalMart store. This turned out to be a mistake because my pocket was picked and I lost $700 in cash. Any savings I thought I was saving turned into a cost that was far greater than any savings I would have gained over a number of years. I should have known better, because I had noticed that the population of street beggars in that area has grown during the last decade. The economy, being what it is, hasn’t helped in this situation, and I am seeing it get worse. People seem to be getting bolder in their attempts at taking what they can’t get. So, this is something us bargain hunters should take into account – be aware of the environment you are going into, and if you aren’t prepared to enter like Briggs would, find someplace else more pleasant to hunt for bargains.
I have removed my blood pressure medicine from the Walmart pharmacy and found a drug source that is even cheaper – a mail-in pharmacy that my insurance company sponsors; so now I am $50.00 richer each three months. Turning my back on Walmart may not be as difficult as I first imagined.

Sorry, I cannot imagine carrying that much cash on me. If I had to, boy , I would be putting in my bra, shoes. etc.

 

[jlynnp]

I never carry a purse, I put everything in my pocket. Of course I also use a cane and after years of training Police K9's my arms work good. If I swing that cane it is gonna hurt someone! I see women in the store leaving their purse in the cart and turning around or walking off - people need to think. It is also like people who leave a small child in a cart and walk off, the world is full of weirdo's and thieves.

 

[DennisK]

Sorry, I cannot imagine carrying that much cash on me. If I had to, boy , I would be putting in my bra, shoes. etc.

We only go into town to shop twice a month - Feed for the critters - food, repair parts - etc. It adds up. I could use my debit card, but with all the buying, it is easy to go over my account which results in a $35 fee for each time. I just need to be more aware of things around me - like JLYNNP suggests.
Be careful with putting bills in your front pocket - it is easy to pull something out and have a number of other things to follow your hand out and onto the floor.