I spend a lot of time thinking about how I can be more frugal and simplify my life more. What these things come down to for me, is simply getting back to basics. Just because it’s 2008, doesn’t mean I can’t strive for frugality and simplicity. In fact, maybe because it’s 2008, I should be striving for it more. Everything seems to be going up except paychecks. It’s time to settle down into doing things more simply and more cost-effectively around my home.
Just because it’s 2008 doesn’t mean I can’t
- Line-dry my clothes – After a couple years of my on and off love/hate relationship with my clothesline, I at least have the option now to line dry or not to line dry. Since the 92 degree days with lots of sunshine have set in, my clothes are summery fresh and dry within 15 minutes here.
- Grow some of my own food – I haven’t started yet. I have been dipping my toes into gardening slowly this season because I am, well, not all that great at keeping things alive. But I do have a goal of starting to grow some vegetables starting soon. It will be an experiment in, well, fun!
- Make my own juice – I have lots o’ fruit trees in my yard and I would really like to start fresh squeezing my own grapefruit and orange juice. Those juices don’t come cheap at the store so why not take advantage of what I have growing in my own backyard.
- Cleaning the natural way – It must’ve been part of the whole quick and convenient movement that brought about 1001 spray bottles for all different purposes to use around the house that are full of chemicals. It’s just plain cheaper and healthier to use natural products and it makes me feel better about my family’s health and safety too.
- Consume less – I am a consumer and I often feel at the mercy of so many when it comes to finding and having what I need but I would like to decrease that reliance in whatever small ways I can. Walk more, drive less, cut out expensive convenience bundled items that keep me from making my own way and sustaining myself and my family simply.
- Cook from scratch - I already do this quite a bit as most prepackaged stuff is not really to my taste. But I do have my weaknesses. I just want to make sure I am striving to provide my family with natural, healthy foods in the closest to their organic state as possible.
- Throw away less – by repurposing and being creative, I’d like to start making more of the things we use and toss. Also, donate donate donate. I love freecycle, craigslist and goodwill when it comes to needing to rid the home of stuff we aren’t using but can’t bear to see taking up space in a landfill.
- Save Money! - this is the most important one. All of these things above are done to keep more money with my family and less going out. I know that there is no simpler or more secure way to help my family through a rocky economy than to hold onto as much that I can so we can make it through rough times a little bit easier if those rough times should hit us. The way we’ve chosen to live – small, simple, frugal – not only keeps us grounded and secure, but will help us if times get tough. The less we are accustomed to spending and the fewer “necessities” we add to our life, the easier it will be to sustain ourselves and our lifestyle in the face of struggling economic times.
Remember, just because it’s 2008 doesn’t mean that life can’t still be simple and basic. So much of what we’ve become used to as part of daily life aren’t necessary expenditures and really giving a good hard look at what is important on an individual level will help to make small changes. Everyone has their own way and things that work for them that are easier than others. I still stink at cutting coupons but I love to challenge myself to save on electricity and gas. I can easily live without cable but don’t take away my internet! I love cooking but ask me to sew clothes and you’re in for it. We all just do what works for us.
What do you do to try to cut your costs more and get back to basics?
Leave a comment with your ideas! I’d love to hear them!
I don’t think of it as being frugal so much as being smart and resourceful. I used to live my life by the ‘If you don’t have time spend money but if you don’t have money spend time’ philosophy. I was a single mom working in corporate America and I mostly had to spend money since I rarely had any extra time.
Since I’ve been working for myself for the last seven years that hasn’t been quite as true so I have had to think a bit more about where to ‘spend’ my resources of both time and money. It was difficult at times but the one thing I have come to learn about myself through the experience is that I’m happier with fewer possessions and with time to enjoy the process of living whether it’s doing the dishes, packing my son’s lunch or watching a hummingbird.
I’m much more thoughtful these days with how I spend my money and also how I spend my time and attention. The unexpected benefit of getting clear on what is important to me is that it has helped me to conserve my financial resources. I know better where I can save (or maybe I know better what brings me little value) and where I should spend.
I’m more likely not buy something now one because I just don’t really need one more thing in my life no matter how much I like it and two because I don’t see it has adding anything more than a short term ‘feel good’.
I strive for simplicity in all areas of my life and as you put it fewer ‘necessities’ so while I would never have described myself as frugal I guess I am too!
~Kate
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“I’m much more thoughtful these days with how I spend my money and also how I spend my time and attention. The unexpected benefit of getting clear on what is important to me is that it has helped me to conserve my financial resources. I know better where I can save (or maybe I know better what brings me little value) and where I should spend.”
Kate, I love this! That is all so much a part of it. It really is a lifelong process and I expect it to continue and change as I grow.
I fully believe frugality has to do with so much more than *just* money. It is about time and attention and resources and conserving just as you said!
I am getting through the period of learning what things bring me little value, like you described and reaching that milestone really does help to conserve money.
Thanks so much for the great food for thought! I appreciate it!
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We’re on the same wavelength, Emily! I’m doing most of the same stuff you are.
And I think what Kate said is the essence of being frugal. My definition of frugality is using your resources (whether it be time, space, money, or something else) most wisely to meet your goals. In order to be truly frugal, you have to have goals and priorities.
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Wow–awesome post! It’s my first visit, but after reading this, I think we may have been separated at birth. I agree on all points, and those are all things I’m doing or seriously considering.
I also sew my own clothes as a way of simplifying. Not nearly all, but enough to make a difference. I love knowing that I don’t have to spend time in stores parsing through what other people wanted to design–I wear what I want to design. Besides being cheaper, sewing also helps me keep in touch with what *I* want, so I’m less tempted by trends and magazine spreads.
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Wonderful post! I think you really made the point that there are so many simple things we can do that are money-savers, plus so many of your ideas are good for the environment! If you don’t mind, I’d like to link to your entry from my blog
Thanks!
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My husband just built me a raised garden so I can start gardening again (I had canned so much food the year before we moved here we haven’t needed a garden).
I am also going back to vinegar, baking soda and dawn dish soap for cleaning projects.
I read that if you pre-treat grass stains with vinegar they will come out – I nearly passed out after all the expensive stuff we’ve been using on baseball and football pants. YIKES!
We are saving more too – I’m using some reverse psycology to get it done. I’ll share that on my blog in a few days.
Cutting back on grocers as I’ve already posted on my blog and have committed to is going well. Pretty cool when you plan meals ahead and get creative. =)
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Wow, terrific post!
These are all things that I am definitely working on incorporating into my life – not only are they necessary for financial survival these days, but they are better for our planet, and it just makes me feel good.
I love the feeling that comes with self-sufficiency, and not being reliant on others to meet our needs. When you learn how to do things for yourself, it gives you a tremendous sense of freedom.
This post was linked from another blog I read, I’m looking forward to reading some more of your posts now.
Thanks,
Alissa
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Such a great post! I like sewing. My life is high-tech, gadgets and add-ons and radio and email are constant. When I need to completely unwind I sew. Or read. Both are calm, silent, and with my hands. Just because it’s 2008 doesn’t mean I can’t make a quilt with my hands like my great-grandmother did, or make my own dresses like my mom did. And even though there are e-books and blogs galore, I still like to lay back in bed with some PAPER between my fingers. I know as a 22-year-old, I’m labeled as the “.com” generation – and no doubt I spend more hours online than I do anything else on any given day – but I like to touch, to feel, to make. That’s what I can do, and it’s how I stay sane
Usually when I’m sewing I make correlations about all the information overlaoaded into my brain too, which I think makes me smarter
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My husband and I are doing the same, and we’ve been amazed at how simple the simple life is. My perspective has really changed over the past year.
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“I still stink at cutting coupons but I love to challenge myself to save on electricity and gas. I can easily live without cable but don’t take away my internet! I love cooking but ask me to sew clothes and you’re in for it. We all just do what works for us.” – Lynnae, I feel exactly the same way about all of these things
I love this post – I try very hard to “get back to basics” and just live a simple happy life. It works for me and for my family.
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I am 50 and just now getting to all these areas that you younger women are implementing. I am so happy for you that you are finding these truths so young in life! What a blessing!!
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Wonderful blog
I’ve been living theis way for over 10 years and our lives are richer than I could have ever imagined.
.-= Juli´s last blog ..A supper at the Burrow =-.
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