Just curious who else is living super frugal

[Rathbone]

I just want to second what was said above. I have adult kids and they come home and want the childhood foods I cooked for them and to sit at our plain little table in our plain little house.
I have a second set of children who also whine and plead for things. Things, things, things. It hurts my feelings and makes me unhappy especially at birthdays and Christmas time when they are not satisfied with what we give. But then I look at the children I already raised, I remember that they did the same thing, and I realize I just have to be the parent and realize that these little ones will someday "get it".
You are raising your children well HeatherLynn. Just keep progressing forward.
And the McDonald's job sounds like it might work. Me? I respect people who work (in the house or out of it) so I am glad you don't have any hangups about it being a fast food job. Work is good and honest and people should feel proud when they work for what they have.

 

[HeatherLynn]

My husband is not thrilled with me working at all. He takes such pride in taking care of that part but he knows with the layoff that I am just providing a bit of financial insurance. Thankfully he is wonderful about doing whatever I need so if I am gone in the mornings, he is there to take care of the kids and get them going on their school work and such. I'll be back by lunch to take over the rest of the day before he goes to work. So I do think it will work. If I were to sacrifice being with the kids there are several jobs I could get an hour away but I just can't bring myself to do it. I guess if he is unemployed and cannot find work that will be an option. I just don't know yet. Sorta hoping with simplifying our lives and getting rid of debt and building up our savings while we can I can avoid that.

I was looking today at craigslist and found several things like lego's that I can get cheap on craigslist. The two oldest have said they would not be upset if I could find what they wanted this way. I hope they are being honest about that. ( crossing fingers) Christmas, birthday's, holidays, and entertainment are on the block right now. I have always been frugal so there is very little fat to trim. My daughters birthday is in 2 weeks and we are going to a 9/12 picnic, an apple festival, she and I are going to share a birthday present so she and I can get a guitar, and I think I am going to pull her into the kitchen with me to make chinese. She loves chinese food. My birthday has always been a small present from daddy and then a day at the apple orchard picking apples. Not sure if we are going to do that this year. We probably will but I won't be buying any apple or pumpkin butters. None of those oh so tempting things they sell in the store. I decided this year I want to can my own.

I made berry syrup already this year, going to make blackberry wine, green beans, creamed corn, tomato sauce and chow chow. Thats the one comfort is we have so much food stored for the winter already and in the spring we go right back to the garden. I am pre ordering my garden seeds so I won't feel the pinch later on of the cost.

Oh and I have to share this one. I have wanted for probably 10 years a nice white linen table cloth. The kind with the old insets. Not the lace but where they twisted the strands and made the patterns. My husbands Grammy had one and I loved it. Her mother had made it for her so it was close to 80 years old and I just fell for it. Well I shopped for one and was appalled at the price. We are talking close to 100 and more for the ones I wanted. I found exactly what I wanted for $1 at goodwill the other day. In perfect shape. AND its square. What was the chances of finding one just the right shape, size and price. It was such a huge pick me up. I keep touching it when i walk by it sitting on the table.

 

[Rathbone]

My husband and I just celebrated a year that he has been a stay at home father(we chose to celebrate a year with more family time rather than bemoan a year of loss of work). His job was deleted and it was a huge adjustment at first. We talked our way through the role changes - because yes changes are hard. But all in all, we are keeping in our minds the fact that this unwanted change has given him more time with the boys and an opportunity at an even closer relationship with them.
The tablecloth sounds providential.

 

[Totalcolour]

Quote:
How does telling someone how rich you are, have anything to do with ignorance? It would seem to me that ignorance (lack of knowledge) would be a stumbling block to becoming wealthy.

Quote:
I am truly glad you have been blessed by God. For my part, all that I have now (which is quite a lot) came not from God, but from long hours of hard work over many years. Both my husband and myself have gone without for many things, for a long time, in order to save and have all that we have today. It was our own efforts that rewarded us.

Quote:
Hmm, I'm frugal in many ways too, and not because we have to be, but because I see no sense in spending more than we need to. At the same time, it's nice to have some of the little extras that make life pleasant. The boat for example. After working hard all week, it's nice and relaxing to be able to take the boat out and spend some quiet time on the water and contemplate the beauty of life. To forget about all the bad things that are happening in the world today, and just spend a few hours together, or with friends, enjoying each others company.

One day we'll be too old to really enjoy the boat, so it will go, and we will replace it with something else. Perhaps nothing more than some comfortable chairs on the back patio, where we can sit on a late Saturday afternoon and watch the wildlife around us.

Living frugally doesn't mean necessarily to go without, but it does mean spending wisely on the things one "NEEDS", and letting go of the things that aren't important - and it is for each individual to choose what is important to them.

And, I notice that even though all the participants of this particular thread say "frugal", each one must either own, or have access to, a computer, or they wouldn't be posting (are computers a necessity, really?). And how many have cell phones, or iPods or other new age technology?

So you see, for each of us, there are different choices. Hubby and I gave up vacations for almost 20 years, and saved for the house and the boat. Each one of you, will make his/her choice, and I hope that for all of you it is the right choice, and that you all will prosper, each to his own way.

 

[turney31]

Quote:
How does telling someone how rich you are, have anything to do with ignorance? It would seem to me that ignorance (lack of knowledge) would be a stumbling block to becoming wealthy.

Quote:
I am truly glad you have been blessed by God. For my part, all that I have now (which is quite a lot) came not from God, but from long hours of hard work over many years. Both my husband and myself have gone without for many things, for a long time, in order to save and have all that we have today. It was our own efforts that rewarded us.

Quote:
Hmm, I'm frugal in many ways too, and not because we have to be, but because I see no sense in spending more than we need to. At the same time, it's nice to have some of the little extras that make life pleasant. The boat for example. After working hard all week, it's nice and relaxing to be able to take the boat out and spend some quiet time on the water and contemplate the beauty of life. To forget about all the bad things that are happening in the world today, and just spend a few hours together, or with friends, enjoying each others company.

One day we'll be too old to really enjoy the boat, so it will go, and we will replace it with something else. Perhaps nothing more than some comfortable chairs on the back patio, where we can sit on a late Saturday afternoon and watch the wildlife around us.

Living frugally doesn't mean necessarily to go without, but it does mean spending wisely on the things one "NEEDS", and letting go of the things that aren't important - and it is for each individual to choose what is important to them.

And, I notice that even though all the participants of this particular thread say "frugal", each one must either own, or have access to, a computer, or they wouldn't be posting (are computers a necessity, really?). And how many have cell phones, or iPods or other new age technology?

So you see, for each of us, there are different choices. Hubby and I gave up vacations for almost 20 years, and saved for the house and the boat. Each one of you, will make his/her choice, and I hope that for all of you it is the right choice, and that you all will prosper, each to his own way.

 

[Rathbone]

Can I just say that what I love(d) about this thread was the kindness and support we all give one another? We are all coming from different places in life. I thought the important thing was to exchange ideas and support one another?

 

[Totalcolour]

Quote:
You are so right - and that was my whole point! We are all different ages, from all parts of the country (and some other countries too) and all walks of life, different ethnicities etc. So to think that we would all find the same things important would be ridiculous. I love to see what each one is doing to be "frugal" in his/her way. Sometimes it's just a matter of getting through the bad times (we've all been there at some time or other) and being able to share life's struggles and joys with each other.

For every poor person who only owns 1 goat, there is a slightly richer person with 2 goats, or someone who has five goats....!

It is not a condemnation to have more than someone else, or less. When I first came to this country and started working, I would not eat lunch (or even brown bag) just to save money for a new pair of shoes. We ALL work to raise our families, and give them what they need. We all (I hope) share with our neighbours who have less than we do.

So if my neighbour has more than I do, I don't envy them, because there are those out there who have less than I do. With the country in the state it's in, we all need to find ways to not just survive, but "THRIVE". And sharing is one of the best ways to do it.

For me, prosperity isn't about how much money one has in the bank, but the richness that is in each person's heart.

 

[Rathbone]

Quote:
You are so right - and that was my whole point! We are all different ages, from all parts of the country (and some other countries too) and all walks of life, different ethnicities etc. So to think that we would all find the same things important would be ridiculous. I love to see what each one is doing to be "frugal" in his/her way. Sometimes it's just a matter of getting through the bad times (we've all been there at some time or other) and being able to share life's struggles and joys with each other.

For every poor person who only owns 1 goat, there is a slightly richer person with 2 goats, or someone who has five goats....!

It is not a condemnation to have more than someone else, or less. When I first came to this country and started working, I would not eat lunch (or even brown bag) just to save money for a new pair of shoes. We ALL work to raise our families, and give them what they need. We all (I hope) share with our neighbours who have less than we do.

So if my neighbour has more than I do, I don't envy them, because there are those out there who have less than I do. With the country in the state it's in, we all need to find ways to not just survive, but "THRIVE". And sharing is one of the best ways to do it.

For me, prosperity isn't about how much money one has in the bank, but the richness that is in each person's heart.

You are absolutely right, and I totally misunderstood your point. Sorry. Hence the tape over my mouth at the end. I will avoid the temptation to bold everything you said above but I agree with every word of it.

 

[HeatherLynn]

I think we are getting a touch off track but thats to be expected now and then. We need to focus on how to help each other save, helpful suggestions, encouragement, ideas, and sometimes stories of our own successes and failures. Each thing we say can make us a feel a bit less alone in the fight we are in, because just being frugal does put us in the non understood minority still.

www.librophile.com is a website where you can get out of copyright audio books for free. Just thought I would share that one. Even renting those from the library here costs a dollar each and my husband commutes a lot. Every little penny counts. Hope someone else can make use of some free entertainment.

 

[Totalcolour]

Quote:
Oh yes, "TIPS"

I make a super hair conditioner out of eggs and olive oil. Just mix thoroughly, warm slightly (don't cook the eggs) and apply to hair. Take a couple of towels, and wet them, then put them in the oven to keep hot. Wrap head in towel for a couple of minutes, after it cools down, change towels. Do this several times, then wash the egg/olive oil out. Leaves hair fabulously soft and silky for pennies (and we all have eggs, right!)

If you peel veggies before cooking them - don't toss peelings. Make veggie stock and can. When I make chili or cacciatori sauce, I always make a ton, and can the rest. Cheaper than freezing!

TC