I have always tried to live a frugal lifestyle. Sometimes that frugality was a matter of choice and sometimes living frugally was a necessity rather than an option. This year has been one where frugality was a necessity, not just for me but for many people. As I reflect on the life lessons of this year, I find confirmation in my belief that many good things can come from living a frugal lifestyle.
Frugal living requires some creativity. It may be that I need to be creative in the kitchen in order to prepare delicious, healthy meals on a slim grocery budget. I might need to find creative gift ideas for family and friends, helpful pet related advice, or inventive ways to redecorate my house without damaging the budget. The search for frugal living tips, recipes, and ideas has given me the opportunity to connect with numerous other people who are also dedicated to frugal living. It doesn't matter whether it's out of necessity or desire that they pinch pennies, re-purpose, and reuse everything that they can in order to save money. All that matters is that living frugally connects us.
Many times, others who are living frugally have offered solutions to dilemmas that had me stumped, provided tips that I wonder why I never thought of and shared stories that assure me I am not alone in the struggle to make ends meet. I have offered some ideas, tips and solutions to others in hopes of making situations and circumstances a little easier for them. I'm always happy to find out that one of my ideas was helpful to someone.
I've discovered lots of helpful frugal living advice this year. I plan to continue using what I've learned and searching for even more creative and inventive frugal living advice. Frugal living is not a state of despair. It is a challenging adventure that comes with rewards. One reward is the connection with others who are in a similar situation. Another reward is discipline. When the tide turns and finances improve, remaining frugal makes it easier to save money for the future. Frugal living often means spending more time at home. The reward here is more quality time with my husband and our pets.
I would say this particular year of frugal living has been interesting and rewarding. It has connected me with others who also live in a frugal manner and do so in a positive frame of mind. I am anxious to see what new ideas this expansive group of frugal minded people can come up with to share with each other in the upcoming year.
By VeronicaHB from Asheboro, NC
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Thank you Veronica I feel the same my husband and our dogs and horses are very much appreciated and the thrill of reusing items and creatively using many things to my suprise, and wonder. Love this site too thanks to all who share creativity and encouragement.
Good story and thanks for posting it....a good read! I think if a person was brought up to know the value of money and not be wasteful, it sticks with them. I know it did with me. I don't need to be frugal now but find the older I get the more I need less and spend less.
I must say when I had to really cut back this year I thought of how. Well with your wonderful friends of this web site it brought me happiness. I laugh so often because I can do it and they gave me the knowledge to see I had the skills so start using the brain. When someone post how to cook or do an item I try and the idea or method. You should have seen the garbage bags the first two months. The one who talked about saving odds and end food then have a Friday special dinner that was great. Cutting the cable cord another special idea. the list goes on. Many thanks to all of you. My big sons realize I can do things.
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