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 Laura from Move to Portugal.
What does frugality mean to you?
Frugality, and being frugal, allows me and my family to live a life that is focused on our priorities; we spend our money on experiences, say travel, as opposed to gadgets. Living frugally has also helped us to pay off all our consumer debt and be able to live on one income.
What is something that you do that is ‘typically’ frugally?
I do all the usual things, use vinegar as a fabric conditioner and cleaning product, line dry {when the weather allows}, menu plan, use micro fibre cloths instead of paper towels, switch electric off at the plugs every night {a routine that my husband finds amusing!}
What is something frugal that you do that is unusual?
Not too unusual, as more people seem to be doing it lately, but last year I didn’t buy any new clothes and I also reduced the amount of {main} clothing items I have to less than 30. It’s been liberating!
What are some of your long term goals that being frugal will help you to accomplish?
Our long term goal is to move to the sunshine of Portugal in 2012; we’d never have been able to do this without living frugally. Our other goal is to live mortgage free, which we might do by selling our house in the UK and buying small in Portugal.
Bio:
I’m married and in my forties with three children aged 16, 19, and 22. The eldest has left home and is studying in London. I quit the rat race in December, after being in a job I disliked for too long.
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{ 4 comments }
nicole thank you; I did have the benefit of working in a multisite company and so would see different people most days 🙂
@kelly thank you for letting me participate in this series and share my thoughts on frugality with your readers 🙂
I am much impressed about Laura's clothes, I could not face my students with only two suits, I think they would contempt me and I would feel quite uncomfortable. If only I could wear a niquab !
I´ve found MTP a couple years ago (or it found me, not sure) and been following ever since.
It has been very inspiring to learn from frugal experiences and decluttering tips Laura shares on MTP. I´m on a similar learning path.
I believe Frugality will help me reach my goal of living a simpler life, closer to nature, in my own country-home. I´ve made a few progresses and whenever I reach a goal, I get more motivated to carry on my journey.
Laura: I like the "spending money on experiences" philosophy. Will try to apply it in my own life a bit more.
.-= Mizé´s last blog ..Inspiring Readings =-.
Nice little interview. Totally agree with Laura’s comments on frugality being about priorities. It’s about experiencing the life *you* want. I remember when I came back from diving in Malaysia friends were shocked – they said “oh I thought you were frugal” – they’d imagined someone living on bread and water who never leaves the house! Interestingly, a few of those same friends asked me “how’d you do it?”. 🙂 There’s a lot of misunderstanding out there about frugal living and simplicity – thankfully this series should help with that. Thanks!
.-= Tony´s last blog ..Across The Divide 60km Challenge Walk =-.