This is What Frugal Looks Like: Heather from Inexpensively

This is What Frugal Looks Like is a series that highlights different ways that people can be frugal in their lives- after all, frugality doesn’t have to be drastic or just about clipping coupons. Frugality can be fun and easy. Each respondent answers the same four questions. Today’s interview is with Heather from Inexpensively.

What does frugality mean to you?

Being frugal means we can lower our budget, but it doesn’t have to mean lowering our standards. It’s about finding ways to do things for less, in addition to cutting out things that are less important. Frugality will mean something different to each family, too, since what is and isn’t a priority is so subjective. For example, we don’t have cable television but our children are in private school. I know a lot of people see that as backwards.

I’m a coupon clipper! It’s probably one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of frugal living, but that’s because it really does save a ton of money. I once tracked our savings, and smart shopping with coupons & sales saved around $5000 in a year. It worked out to about $100/hour so it’s definitely worth my time. {That’s why I love to share grocery lists at Inexpensively – it really helps show people exactly how valuable couponing can be.}

Disposable products are a waste of resources – both environmentally and financially. We use cloth napkins, towels, real silverware and we even cloth diapered the youngest. It took me awhile to get into that one. She was nearly potty trained when I finally jumped on board, but the 2-months of diaper budget I spent on the diapers she wore for 7 more months was well worth it. We haven’t bought paper towels for years, which people find very unusual – my mother even packed some with her when she stayed with the kids earlier this month!

Health & education for our children has always been the number one priority. Being frugal allows us to keep the girls in a private, Montessori school where we are confident their allergies are well-managed and their education is as flexible as we are. If you saw our bank statement, you would wonder how we could afford to send a $1K check to the school each month. The answer is frugality! We cut out what doesn’t affect our lifestyle and budget for the things that matter.

Bio:

Heather Sokol is a married mother of 3 beautiful, active children. They have created in her a Montessori Mom, Scout Mom, Allergy Mom and avid coupon clipper. She shares her deals & frugal tips at Inexpensively.com and reports progress on learning to be a grown-up at JustHeather.com.

A few of my favorite links:

• Fine Dining on a FastFood Budget
• Menu Planning: Part 1