FRUGALITY EQUALS RICHES
Written by: Jeffrey R Hilton
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Frugality is defined as a quality. Prudent in savings; and
lacking in wastefulness. There are many levels of frugality and some people take it to new levels. Or could that be considered just being downright cheap. A skinflint as it were. While I don't condone going to those lengths, either way, being frugal equates to having more money than you would otherwise. Frugality has been practiced by our forefathers for centuries and often had to do with wars and was necessary just to survive. Other times it was necessitated from drought and famine.
Most of us modern day humans are wasteful beyond belief and not nearly as resourceful as our ancestors were. Wasting water is something we are all guilty of on a grand scale, just taking it for granted that there will always be more. Plastic wash basins were previously always a fixture in a sink and after washing the dishes in that water, it was used to throw on the garden. Bathwater was recycled often by as many people as were in a family. I'd hate to be last in line.
Modern society with all it's conveniences,and believe me, there are way more than one needs, leads us to be wasteful. We have to buy tooth paste and denture tablets and teeth powder,mouthwash, anti -inflammatory pills, pain killers, hair spray,gel, body wash,shampoo,conditioner and the list goes on and on. That's just personal hygiene products. Then there is the multitudes of cleaning supplies etc. It's a wonder anyone has money to eat.
Finding ways to cut costs can be fun and rewarding. Denture tablets can easily be broken in half and used one half at a time and still do the same job. Shampoos and the like can be stretched out some by adding a small amount of water and shaken up to ensure the whole bottle gets used and lasts slightly longer. We can take our empties back to a bottle depot and reap those rewards. We can buy fairly good imitations of designer clothes for half the price.
We can pause before making a purchase and ask ourselves if we really need it, or we just think we do and are being impulsive. We can collect water at home outside and use rain barrels to water our gardens with, taking the sting out of the water bill. We can opt to turn lights out when we leave a room, or use natural light, solar and wind power.
Where there is a will, there is a way to save money.
We can drive slower and less erratic to cut fuel consumption. Switch to hybrid cars. Creativity often drives frugality to find awesome ways to save money. Practice makes perfect. We really don't need every new product that comes out. As far as being frugal goes, there are many books and web sites that can help you decide how and where to start. Making your own cleaning supplies from the barest of essentials that are quite effective and definitely cheaper than buying them.
As I said, you don't have to go overboard,but you'll find if even you adopt some frugal practices, you will save more money for more important things in life than spending too much on consumables. It is somewhat more of a European the U.K., and other countries other than North America which practice the art of buying your groceries daily in a fresh food market rather than buying a huge quantity of food which often spoils before we get to eat it. This is often a healthier choice and supports the local farmers and economy.
For men that are not overly fussy about their hair, get a trimmer for your hair. learn to do it yourself or have your partner cut it for you for more savings. It's not rocket science. Failing that,go to a barber rather than an expensive hair salon to save money. Buy quality,so it lasts longer and gives you more bang for your buck whenever you can, and within reason. This is great advice for shoe buyers.
As the English say; Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.
Re-use, recycle, re-purpose. Learn how to can from your grandmother and stock up on preserves fresh from the orchard and the garden. Ask your grand parents about frugality and find out if you can fit any of their ideas into your life. Every bit helps. Awhile back when I started breeding birds, I learned to make my own perches from tree branches and a few nut, screws, and washers, saving me from the costs of perches sold in pet stores.
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DO HAVE A GOOD DAY
AND TRY YOUR HAND AT FRUGALITY
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Jeffrey Robert Hilton
