Just curious who else is living super frugal

[MyKidLuvsGreenEgz]

Quote:

Goat berries is the goat poo. It comes out looking like berries, and doesn't need to be composted to be used, unlike chicken poo splats!

 

[helenmar]

thank you!

I learn something new everyday here!
hx
Quote:

Goat berries is the goat poo. It comes out looking like berries, and doesn't need to be composted to be used, unlike chicken poo splats!

 

[NYC feather fam]

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Just curious.....and i know this sounds like a stupid question, but you said you save your cut grass for your birds.....what are you using it for? are you letting it dry and lining the coop with it? I had been wondering if I could do that. We've just been composting it so far but we have so much I'd like to put it to better use and save money on pine shavings.

thanks

 

[Patricia Jane]

Quote:
You can say that again

 

[Totalcolour]

Why do people wait to live "frugally" until there is no other choice? I know (actually know a relative of mine) people who will revert back to extravagant living as soon as they are out of debt, got a new job etc.

Living frugally doesn't mean deprivation. It can mean a better life. Eating at home instead of out often means a better diet (and less gas consumption and lower cost food). DH and I love wine - we learned how to make our own, and it's fun! You should try parsnip wine, or elderberry, or maybe some fresh picked dandelions (and weed the garden at the same time).

Home made yogurt; use a thermos, you don't need expensive equipment, and then make your own frozen yogurt.

Make a ton of soup at once (I use a rice cooker - gift from a sibling, slow cooker works). It's healthy, and you have food for several days.

Lentils, beans, other pulses are high protein, and one of the lowest costs food around. (If you eat them at night, the gas will pass while you are sleeping and you won't notice it

)

Maybe car-pool, or even better grocery-pool with friends. You only need ONE Costco membership, then divide groceries amongst yourselves.

We use Discover - pay it off each month but still get the few percent bonus.

We eat our home raised rabbits, ducks, chickens and goats - trade meat for other exotic meats or veggies.

Skills can be traded too.

Now for the Extravagant stuff!

We have a boat. We go out on the water instead of taking vacations - we fish and crab (food for the table).

End of extravagances

The house is paid for, we have some rental properties that provide income, we have a small business that provides income (a laundromat) and DH works. I sell eggs and meat, and do some free-lance design. We save each month

We don't need to be frugal anymore, but we are. We enjoy what we have and what we do. We will have plenty for retirement.

All of you who got into trouble financially, I hope you learn to enjoy this new phase of your lives instead or regarding it as a necessity. When you are out of debt, stay frugal. You won't regret it. You will save and later you will be able to enjoy the ONE (or possibly two) thing you really are passionate about. You will have plenty for retirement. You will value your new-found WEALTH (it really is wealth).

Some of my family think I'm nuts - this farming stuff, and living lean. But I find it a joy. I love to sit outside in the evening and watch the chickens and ducks. I know they have a good life here, and we are providing almost all out own meat.

I think the hardest part is the conversion to lean, especially for the children. But think about it - we have all read about the level of obesity in the world rising - perhaps if we have less to eat, but better quality, we would be healthier, and in return, would have less health problems, and less money going to medical bills.

so much going for us all!

Good luck Everyone

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

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I feel for you. We took our van in 2 weeks ago and spent $400 to get some repairs done. Had to take it in again last week and spent another $230. It is a 2005 and we just paid it of a couple months ago, just in time for it to start breaking down.

 

[RainbowState]

Why do people wait to live "frugally" until there is no other choice? I know (actually know a relative of mine) people who will revert back to extravagant living as soon as they are out of debt, got a new job etc.

Living frugally doesn't mean deprivation. It can mean a better life. Eating at home instead of out often means a better diet (and less gas consumption and lower cost food). DH and I love wine - we learned how to make our own, and it's fun! You should try parsnip wine, or elderberry, or maybe some fresh picked dandelions (and weed the garden at the same time).

I could not agree with you more! I find it so satisfying to increase my self sufficiency and frugality. I enjoy living a "simple" life and we are financially comfortable with our house paid off. I love interacting with plants and animals, they are soothing and enjoyable. I like knowing where my food comes from and what is in it so that I can enjoy better health. I also like it that I am not contributing much to a food system I find appalling. I feel good when I feel like I am treating the earth with love and respect by being conscious of it and reducing my impact on it. That means something as abstract as turning out the lights. Sure, it is frugal and reduces the impact on my wallet, but it makes me feel like I am caring for mother earth, my home.


I have found that I don't NEED most things and that I am quite happy without the latest or newest. I stopped watching TV, in large part because I don't want to be inundated by commercials telling me I am not complete without ....(the latest and greatest). And I found I became much happier and more satisfied with my life by eliminating the TV. I also have time to pursue much more interesting and fulfilling things, like learning how to care for a bee hive.​

 

[jdopler]

**Lentils, beans, other pulses are high protein, and one of the lowest costs food around. (If you eat them at night, the gas will pass while you are sleeping and you won't notice it )

Thats great!!

But if you soak them with a little whey (the clear liquid from yogurt/sourcream/cheese making) in the soak water, over night and cook them slow the proteins that cause gas are gone.. more info in Nourishing Traditions cookbook. this is also good for making grains more digestible.

**I have found that I don't NEED most things and that I am quite happy without the latest or newest. I stopped watching TV, in large part because I don't want to be inundated by commercials telling me I am not complete without ....(the latest and greatest). And I found I became much happier and more satisfied with my life by eliminating the TV. I also have time to pursue much more interesting and fulfilling things, like learning how to care for a bee hive.

x2!!!

 

[ForgottenGlen]

The biggest problem I run into is time... My DH and I work full time jobs, and we have a 6 month old. Our chickens give us (and my free babysitting family) eggs, and the excess roos we had are now in freezer camp. Beyond that, every ounce of free time we have is rushed.

I never ever had time to make Thank You cards for my baby shower guests (boy are they peeved

), how can I find time to grow a garden, and coupon clip?

Anyone else struggle with this? Sorry for the venting, I wish terribly that I could stay at home. We don't pay for daycare, so that's not a good excuse.

 

[ben is a terror]

this site is better than TV!!!