Change mind-set on money: Keep it simple
How are people being more frugal?
Date published: 12/5/2008
By Bill Freehling
The economic downturn is forcing some people to cut back on spending. That's not a good thing for retailers and other consumer-dependent businesses. But for individuals, there are some positives to living more frugally.
We asked area residents how they were cutting back of late, and in what ways they saw those cutbacks as positives. Here are three of our favorite responses.
--Bill Freehling
| I've been using amazon.com's subscribe-and-save program. I'm getting 25 percent to 40 percent savings on standard products--plus free delivery. Saving money on the products, saving gas money and reducing emissions to planet. I also bought a half cow from a local butcher--about $1.50 a pound for all meat from hamburger to steaks and roasts. Again saving me money over buying small packaged meats at the grocery, and supporting local ranchers. I'm also reducing gifts at Christmas--reduces stress and anxiety over spending for everyone. Still getting kids something, but adults are just sharing a meal. It is fun to be frugal--like a treasure hunt to see how much you can save and reuse. Learning to be more creative and passing along tips to neighbors builds sense of community and common ground.
--Nancy Gravely, Stafford |
| I have been concerned with our society's "throw-away" attitude for years and have made efforts to redefine my needs and wants. When I returned to the Fredericksburg area after 13 years, I did not need a huge house and new furnishings. I was downsizing to a smaller place and evaluating all I had. It has become a healthy and positive way of living for me. I cherish hand-me-downs from family. I don't have cable or satellite, and I have spent hours reading books from the library that have brought me enjoyment and knowledge. Frugality isn't just about money. Being frugal means economical, prudent, requiring few resources. Possibly the greatest gain of being frugal is the effect of decreasing my laziness. I have to get out and go to the library. I get moving cleaning the house instead of having a service. I plan my errands to use less fuel and cut down on wasted trips. You can retain so many dollars while simply deciding to get back to long-lost basics.
--Becki Hayden, Spotsylvania |
| I have always been frugal, even before the crisis. We still live in our "starter house" after 21 years. Where we grew up, you buy a house and live there until you croak! We have a 50-gallon rain barrel with a separate 20-gallon barrel overflow. We use it for the garden, and haul some inside for one of the toilets. We own two cars with high mileage. One has 231,000 miles; I paid $2,000 for it 10 years ago. I got a $1,700 offer for it last week but wouldn't sell. I will need to pay the $15 county taxes on it next week, and $9.80 on my other baby--the '93 Ford Escort! My mechanics love these cars--simple and easy to maintain. I don't own a 52-inch TV because if I had one, my butt would probably turn into 53 inches. I just have a 19-inch color that is paid for and picks up "Judge Judy." I don't belong to a gym. I walk and ride my bike around the neighborhood. I don't have a security system. Since I am frugal, a burglar would come up very empty-handed.
--Gary Banfield, Spotsylvania |
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Date published: 12/5/2008
Most recent reader comments:
Half a cow for $1.50/lb???
(posted by
xanatos
, Dec. 5, 2008 3:04 pm)
One word: NO.
You can't get half a cow from a butcher for $1.50/lb. MAYBE if you calculate the cost based on the cows weight before it's been butchered, but certainly not based on the actual weight of the meat
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