Almost Frugal » This is Frugal

This is What Frugal Looks Like: Jennifer

Kelly — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:31:33 +0000

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 Jennifer from Hilltop Communications.

What does frugality mean to you?

To me, frugality means using resources of all types – money, time, and “stuff” – wisely, so that you can enjoy living. Frugality is a way of showing respect for whoever worked for or provided the resources, whether that be the Almighty, a family member, or oneself.

What is something that you do that is ‘typically’ frugally?

I clip a few coupons (although I am not a major coupon-er), I stock up at grocery specials, I open or close the blinds to control passive solar heat depending on season, and I turn the heat way down in the winter.

What is something frugal that you do that is unusual?

I started canning food when I was 8 years old, and I like to think I was “putting up” (preserving food) before it became cool again. I have the biggest garden that my suburban lot will allow, and I grow some food plants in the front yard, which is not typical for this part of the country. I make my own laundry soap, my own fleece pillowcases, and my own make-up remover wipes. I try to eliminate or greatly reduce the need to buy disposable items.

I compost, which is not unusual, but I do so as much for the garden fertilizer as to control waste. I get a significant thrill out of watching garden produce nourish my family, then sending its waste to the compost so it can nourish the next garden and continue the cycle.

What are some of your longterm goals that being frugal will help you to accomplish?

Of course, my husband and I would like to retire comfortably one day, although I think there will always be some sort of work in our lives; hopefully, our retirement savings will allow us to be choosier about the work we do. Additionally, my husband and I dance competitively and like to spend time in Key West, Florida, neither of which are inexpensive hobbies! But I sure would rather spend my discretionary income on a mojito on the beach than on a few extra degrees of heat and some commercially-produced laundry soap!

About Jennifer Patterson Lorenzetti

Jennifer Patterson Lorenzetti is a writer, editor, speaker, and owner of Hilltop Communications. Lorenzetti had her first garden – and her first compost pile – at the age of eight, and she has embraced the sustainable homemaking arts ever since. In 1997, she founded Hilltop Communications, a professional communications firm focusing on the challenges of making complex subjects understandable to professionals and laypeople alike. In 2009, she married the two passions to start Fast, Cheap, and Good, a blog dedicated to helping readers pursue a more sustainable lifestyle, one choice and one project at a time.

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This is What Frugal Looks Like: Garrett from Secure Medicare Solutions

This Is Frugal — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:00:06 +0000

What does frugality mean to you?

Frugality is certainly a way of life. To truly be successful with it, you must let it seep into all, or at least most, aspects of your way of life. To me, it means having a financial plan and goal in mind, not just casting about aimlessly on a whim. The world tells us we should get what we want when we want it, but to be frugal, you must fight those urges and stick to a concrete goal or plan.

What is something that you do that is ‘typically’ frugally?

The thing that I consider typically frugal that we do is budget. We have a set plan every month and watch it vigorously. I know every dollar that goes out and every dollar that comes in to the point that our budget is itemized very precisely.

What is something frugal that you do that is unusual?

This has probably surpassed frugality and moved into downright cheapness, but my family reuses holiday greeting cards. We can get a few uses out of one card. Sometimes, what starts as a large foldout card ends up being the size of an index card with “Happy Holidays” and our name on it. First, the recycling is simple. We just cut one card into two cards and send out both. One has a lovely picture on the front; the other has a message and no picture. I wouldn’t use this “frugal” trick on just anyone but it works great when sending holiday cards or birthday cards to family and close friends. They probably think we are crazy – maybe we are! And one more bonus thing that is both frugal and unusual – I am a relentless shaker of the printer cartridges. If you don’t know this, you can get many, many more prints out of a cartridge even after the computer/printer says it is out of ink. So, you just take it out, shake it vigorously, and put it back in. Then, print away. Computer says it is out of ink again, repeat the process, until you finally just cannot get one more print out of it.

What are some of your longterm goals that being frugal will help you to accomplish?

It is my hope that being frugal will allow my wife and I to leave a legacy for our children, not necessarily monetarily but more like a legacy of saving and conscientious spending. On a more personal note, I believe and hope that my family’s frugality will allow us the freedom to stop working at age 55 and do a lot of traveling.

About the Author

Garrett Ball is the owner of Secure Medicare Solutions and Medicare-Supplement-Comparison.com, two websites devoted to educating seniors about the complex and convoluted world of Medicare and assisting them in saving money on their Medicare Supplement insurance. His site offers practical advice, information and Medicare Supplement quotes.

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This is What Frugal Looks Like: Jenna from Jenna’s Cottage

This Is Frugal — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:00:28 +0000

What does frugality mean to you?

For me, frugality means being sensible with my money. It means not participating in the consumer culture. It’s not about being cheap. Its about being smart with my money. It means buying quality vs. quantity.

What is something that you do that is ‘typically’ frugally?

I do what I consider the usual stuff. Shop for my produce at produce stands and farmer’s markets, grow what I can myself, get clothes, furniture and other items through Freecycle first, thrift stores second and brand new only as a last option for things we really NEED. I shop around for prices for things I need to buy brand new. (I’m in the market for a new camera so I’m comparing models, features and prices.) I buy in bulk and don’t have many brand name loyalties. (Spice Island spices being one of the exceptions. They are more expensive but the quality is outstanding so I’m will to pay more.) I buy heirloom and open-pollinated seeds for my garden so I can save them from year to year. I also cook everything from scratch. It’s SO much cheaper and healthier!

What is something frugal that you do that is unusual?

I use baking soda and vinegar for all my hair care needs. I works amazingly well. The baking soda is made into a thin paste and you apply it to wet hair concentrating on the scalp. It attaches to the oils which carry the dirt. When you rinse your hair, it carries away excess oils and the dirt & odors with it leaving your hair clean without stripping. However, our hair is acidic by nature so the pH balance has to be restored. Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (don’t use any other kind!) to 1 cup of water. After you’ve rinsed the baking soda from your hair very well, you dip the ends of your hair in the vinegar water. After a few moments of that, you can pour the vinegar and water over your head. Don’t rinse your hair!!! Let the excess vinegar water drain off then gently wrap your head in a towel to soak up more excess. After a couple of minutes, gently pat your hair then brush it. Be careful how you brush. You don’t want to pull and stretch your hair because that weakens and breaks it. I admit my hair has never been healthier in my life.

What are some of your long term goals that being frugal will help you to accomplish?

I have two huge dreams in life. To be successful with my photography and to own my own home. When I say own my home, I mean own it. I don’t want a mortgage. I want to have a nice LITTLE home and raise fruits, veggies and herbs in my yard. I want to have a few chickens, maybe some rabbits and potentially some dairy goats. Being frugal will help fund the set up and make it easier to live on my little farm without requiring huge amounts of money. The more money I’d worry about earning, the more it would take me away from the home life I love so much.

This is What Frugal Looks Like: Anjanette from Eat From Your Pantry

This Is Frugal — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:00:46 +0000

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 Anjanette from Eat From Your Pantry.

What does frugality mean to you?

Being frugal is first and foremost living within our means. I think it goes beyond even that though. Being frugal is being a good steward of what we’ve been blessed with, and hopefully being able to bless others (our family or other people in need) as a result. It is a way of life.

What is something that you do that is ‘typically’ frugally?

I use coupons and utilize sales. I enjoy the challenge of planning meals around the deeply discounted food items I find, and I skip the big name brands if possible. I might take it to a higher level than some do – I have a rule that I don’t purchase any clothing items for myself that cost more than $5/top and $10/bottom, & I only shop for clothes when I *need* something – but I am not a couponing pro and I’m not a big fan of running to umpteen different stores for the best price.

What is something frugal that you do that is unusual?

Because we are committed to raising as many children as God gives us on one income if at all possible (not the most frugal idea in some ways), we’ve also committed to cutting costs and decreasing waste by using cloth diapers and cloth menstrual pads. We are also transitioning over to using cloth in place of paper towels and even toilet paper! Along the same lines, we try not to purchase/use ziplocks or saran wrap – we use reusable containers and wraps instead. These things are “coincidentally green” as well, but our primary motivation for these aspects of our lifestyle is frugality.

We also have a unique job in addition to my husband’s full time job. We are the resident managers (like house parents) for a transitional housing ministry for homeless families. We live on site in exchange for free rent. For almost three years we’ve lived in a small apartment with various responsibilities that some would consider too inconvenient for the benefits (like doing room checks at 10pm and having to call the police on residents who refuse to leave when its time). We love the ministry, but our motivation for serving in this way rather than giving financially or volunteering our time to organize foods drives, etc. is frugality as well.

What are some of your longterm goals that being frugal will help you to accomplish?

We just recently paid off my husband’s graduate student loan. Other than a small undergraduate loan with a negligible interest rate, we are debt free. We have started saving for a home and hope to put down a significant amount (25% or more) right away. Someday, whether it is our first home or not, we dream of owning some land and raising chickens, goats, and llamas (for the fiber). We’d also love to be able to eat 100% of our food from local and/or organic/sustainable sources. We come pretty close right now, but we have to make some sacrifices. We hope that our (most likely MANY) children grow up valuing their possessions and being appreciate of their blessings. We also want to have the freedom to find ways as a family to contribute financially to those who need it.

About:

You can read about me and my blog in this post.

And here are a few frugal posts:

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This is What Frugal Looks Like: Homeowner by 30

This Is Frugal — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:00:52 +0000

What does frugality mean to you?

To me frugality means taking a little extra thought and effort in how I live and spend so that I have money for the things I need and more money for the things I really want to spend money on.

What is something that you do that is ‘typically’ frugally?

I try to cook my meals in bulk on the weekend (which is probably normal servings for a family, but I’m single, so a whole casserole is a lot). Then, I freeze them in reusable tupperware and eat them for lunches and dinners throughout the week. Knowing that I have meals to reheat makes it easier to resist the temptation to grab something to eat on the way home when I don’t feel like cooking.

What is something frugal that you do that is unusual?

I recycle cans, glass, and plastic bottles for cash. I don’t buy a ton of these types of materials, but I collect them in my classroom and my house (thanks roommate!). I only earn five to seven dollars per month this way, but I am definitely a proponent of every little bit making a difference. I also request free samples that I find on www.thefreebieblogger.com, including feminine products, two dryer sheets, a sample of dish wash, etc. Again, I think every little bit makes a difference, and the pennies I save on these items can help me reach my financial goals.

What are some of your longterm goals that being frugal will help you to accomplish?

Frugality will help me pay off my debts and eventually (hopefully) buy a home on a teacher’s salary. I also see frugality as a goal in itself. I think there is something to be said for living simply and not always having the newest gadget or every little thing I want. Frugality has helped me to be content with what I already have in my life, which is an accomplishment in itself.

Bio:

Jessica is a middle school teacher living in Long Beach California. Her interests include good podcasts, cooking, happy hour, riding her bike by the beach, and reading. She also likes to talk about Personal Finance, but rather than make people uncomfortable by trying to bring it up in person, she started a blog, Homeowner by 30.

Links:

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This is What Frugal Looks Like: Mrs Money

This Is Frugal — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:00:56 +0000

What does frugality mean to you?

Frugality is a way of life. It means being mindful of your resources, consuming less, reusing more, and being creative with what you have. One of my favorite sayings is: “use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.”

What is something that you do that is ‘typically’ frugal?

I am a huge advocate of second hand shopping. I grew up frequenting thrift stores with my mother. I remember when I could get 5 pairs of jeans for $10, versus one pair for $15. I didn’t understand why people wouldn’t buy second hand!

I am now semi- addicted to thrifting. I have gotten a lot better though, and can go into the store looking for specific things and walk out with nothing if they don’t have what I want.

What is something frugal that you do that is unusual?

I don’t use regular toilet paper and I make a lot of my own beauty products! Not only does it save me money, but they are made with all natural ingredients. I love making things myself!

What are some of your longterm goals that being frugal will help you to accomplish?

I want to be a stay at home mom when we have kids. I feel like I have spent the past five years preparing myself. We’ve paid off over $36,000 in student loan debt and have been saving for our emergency fund and for when I stay at home. Without being frugal, I don’t think we could have gotten as far as we have!

About Me:

Mrs. Money shares tips on frugal living, how to live green, saving money, paying off debt, and living a simpler life at the Ultimate Money Blog. Be sure to stop by and check out her blog!

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This is What Frugal Looks Like: Jane from Reveal Real Estate

This Is Frugal — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:00:12 +0000

What does frugality mean to you?

For me frugality means spending less but living more. It’s about cutting down on overconsumption and overspending and freeing myself up to explore new opportunities, take on new challenges and see more of the world.

It’s also a mental adjustment: a decision to worry less about money, become less attached to specific outcomes and more generous to other people.

What is something that you do that is ‘typically’ frugally?

I maintain a savings account with 18 months of living expenses. I think of this as my ‘rainy day fund’ or my ‘freedom fund’.

I first built up the fund while I was working in corporate London. It took some sacrifices (fewer nights on the town, fewer taxis and less expensive clothes) but I didn’t see it as scrimping for the sake of it. I was doing it to reach a goal. I knew that once I had my fund in place I would feel freer to take risks, to try new things and get more creative with my life direction.

Well it worked. Three weeks after building up my financial cushion, I gave up my job, moved abroad and started a new business.

What is something frugal that you do that is unusual?

In 2004 I decided to move to a country with a cheaper cost of living and launch an online business. I had no illusions about get-rich-quick strategies on the Internet. I knew that an online business would take time to build. So my strategy was to find a country with a low cost of living, where my rainy day fund would stretch much further than it would back in London.

I settled in Nicaragua, attracted by the beauty of the country and, of course, its dollar-stretching economics. I am currently living very comfortably for under $1,500 a month as a renter. My budget includes meals out, cinema tickets, tourism outings, trips to cafes and bars, transportation and even a full-time maid. (If I was living in my own home this would come down to $1,100 a month even taking into account property taxes).

Here’s my monthly budget breakdown:

Rent $500 (nice apartment in the capital)
Food $350
Entertainment $250
Full time maid $170
Electricity $75
Transportation $55
Fast Internet connection and Cable $40
Gas for cooking and hot water $20
Telephone $30
Water $10

My business is still not quite paying its way, but by living here I’ve given myself more time to succeed. Also I’ve met a fantastic community of adventurous, inspirational people – the kind of characters I would never have met back home.

What are some of your long-term goals that being frugal will help you to accomplish?

Living frugally has helped me expand my horizons and freed me up to pursue a more adventurous life abroad. I realize that overseas living is not for everyone, but it works for me. To coin a phrase, it feels like I am living ‘twice the lifestyle for half the price’.

But even without running the numbers, I know that mentally I’m beginning to see the world from a different point of view. My attitude to money has changed, I spend far less time worrying about it and I have the sense of freedom to try new things.

About Me:

Following a career in the corporate sector in London I made the shift to worry-free frugality by moving to Nicaragua. Here I am able to live very well for far less than I would back home. Since moving to Central America I’ve got involved in the real estate sector and now write regularly on the state of the international property market over at RevealRealEstate.com

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This is What Frugal Looks Like: Ryan from Planting Dollars

This Is Frugal — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:00:02 +0000

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 Ryan from Planting Dollars, a personal finance and entrepreneurship focused blog.

What does frugality mean to you?

Frugality, to me, means living below your means and making the things you have stretch more so than the average consumer. It means less waste, enjoying what you have more, and in turn means a more relaxing life through simple living. Being frugal means having more options and time in my life to do the things that matter more to me than “stuff”

What is something that you do that is ‘typically’ frugally?

I like to read a lot so I’m always going to the library instead of going to the bookstores. I used to order books from Amazon a lot, but current live a very minimalist lifestyle so I only borrow. I also typically wait at least a week before I make any major purchases and wait to find a better deal used. For example, I’m currently considering buying scuba gear, but am going to be waiting until I find a motivated seller with something that fits my needs probably via craigslist.

What is something frugal that you do that is unusual?

I ditched the car completely when I moved to Hawaii and only ride a bike around town. This saves me money and keeps me more fit. I also only live out of two backpacks at the moment since that’s all I brought with me when I moved. Living small has been really refreshing and has actually made me happier than before because I feel free to do whatever I want. My monthly expenses are way down because I spend considerably less and I have more energy since I’m active. I would highly recommend this lifestyle to 20 somethings starting out.

What are some of your longterm goals that being frugal will help you to accomplish?

I kind of stumbled on frugality because I realized that in order to accomplish my goals I would need to embrace living smaller. Currently I’m working towards a mobile lifestyle and becoming a professional shark photographer. Therefore I’m building up my blog, building a travel website about the Waikiki area, and working on a few other projects. Frugality is simply a tool that allows me the freedom to pursue my passions and try new things. In the future it will allow me the ability for long term travel, building my own house, and hopefully opening a piano bar back in my hometown.

A Little About Me

I’m a recent college grad who writes about Financial Freedom and following your passions at Plantingdollars.com. I recently bought a one way from Wisconsin to Hawaii and am pursuing my dream of becoming a shark photographer and entrepreneur at the same time.

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This is What Frugal Looks Like: Duncan

This Is Frugal — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:00:52 +0000

What does frugality mean to you?

For me frugality is the opposite of frivolousness, both in attitude and action. I’ve been frivolous in the past and actually think that it has its place; it’s a very human way of releasing stress by letting go of everyday concerns (including money). Right now though, with money extremely tight for lots of people, frugality is the attitude that takes over I think and for me it’s about thinking cleverly and carefully about what you want, what you actually need, and the best way to get it.

What is something that you do that is ‘typically’ frugally?

In the last few years I have been given a real education in how to think about money and how to get the most out of it. I used to live quite a decadent life, which I was forced to re-structure a couple of years ago when money stopped coming so easily to me. I got online and got involved in money saving forums and blogs, and just listened to what everyone else had to say about being money-smart. Nowadays I often consult such forums when I am looking for the best credit card deals or top offers from energy suppliers. I would consider these ‘typically’ frugal, but then given in huge increase in awareness of frugal living recently, I would probably also consider using money-back websites or using auto-shutdown plug sockets ‘typical’.

What is something frugal that you do that is unusual?

I work for a luxury health spa so often people are a bit taken aback when I start talking about frugality. My argument though is that frugality and luxury are not opposing forces, and luxury is certainly not the same as frivolousness. Everybody needs to treat themselves from time to time, but as long as they live within their means, I don’t think there is an issue. I would certainly not advise someone who is strapped for cash to come in for a full spa day, but saving up for a back massage or to have your nails done as a treat is actually very healthy I think. So I suppose the most unusually frugal thing I do is work in a luxury spa, but that isn’t very helpful to readers, so I’ll share one of my own frugal tricks I learnt.

Get yourselves a blog and starting writing about any topic that takes your fancy. Then after a couple of months, sign up to some affiliate networks such as Webgains or Affiliate Window. Join the programs of as many online merchants as you can, and you’ll not only receive their voucher code offers before the general public, but if you purchase their items via your own affiliate links (which is completely acceptable), you’ll get another load of money off in the form of affiliate commission.

What are some of your longterm goals that being frugal will help you to accomplish?

At the moment I am saving up to buy a house with my girlfriend. So I guess my long-term goal is to be able to afford a decent down payment in a couple of years time, but still be able to give myself the odd treat whilst I’m saving. My other goal is to become less wasteful. I don’t regard myself as being a particularly wasteful person anyway, but there is always room for improvement. Wastefulness (different again to frivolousness) is something that really bugs me and I hate seeing other people being wasteful without consideration for others. It might sound a bit clichÃ© but there are people starving in the world, and throwing out food every day just because you “forgot to eat it” just doesn’t cut it for me.

A Little About Me

I’m 25 years young and currently live in a flat in London, England. My girlfriend supposedly lives with her parents but I can’t remember the last time she didn’t hog the bed sheets at my place. I’m learning something new every day about using money in a more respectful way and not letting is slip through my fingers as I used to do.

Here is my bio from my blog:

As mentioned before I work for a health spa in London. My personal website however, and the one I use to buy things through affiliate programs is an extreme sports website where people can trade their second hand sports goods free of charge.

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This is What Frugal Looks Like: Laura from Move to Portugal

This Is Frugal — Thu, 27 May 2010 10:06:50 +0000

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.

Favorite posts:

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