My tips for frugality when making purchases...
Make a list of what you/your family consumes.
Divide that list into wants and needs.
If your wants outnumber your needs, it's time to reprioritize.
Learn how often you go through the products/items.
Learn your prices.
Comparison shop; Don't be afraid to shop online.
Most companies will send you online coupons or mail you coupons if you contact them or join their (e)mailing list.
Learn when the products/items you buy go on sale, save coupons for those items and stock up.
Things to consider
Can you get this item free somehow? Craigslist, freecycle, church/place of worship?
Could you buy it gently used from a thrift store, flea market, yard sale, rummage sale, online local resellers group, Craigslist, Freecycle, church/place of worship?
Can you use an alternative currency for this purchase? (barter of services, goods, online points/rewards)
Keep in mind that cheap does not necessarily equal frugal.
Compare quality and longevity of items/products purchase to price.
Showing posts with label Consumerism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Consumerism. Show all posts
Monday, May 19, 2008
Reuse
Reuse is using an item more than once. This includes conventional reuse where the item is used again for the same function, and new-life reuse where it is used for a new function.
Reusing items not only helps the environment but it also helps your pockets! I have always been interested in reusing. I credit this to my mother. She keeps everything in hopes of one day using it for some other purpose. My challenge is balancing reusing with having too much clutter because of keeping items that I may someday turn into something else.
In the coming weeks, I will be cataloging products and items that my household uses. My intention is to see where I can reuse items and where I should give away or recycle.
"Reuse." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 23 Apr 2008, 21:56 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 24 Apr 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Reuse&oldid=207708914
Reusing items not only helps the environment but it also helps your pockets! I have always been interested in reusing. I credit this to my mother. She keeps everything in hopes of one day using it for some other purpose. My challenge is balancing reusing with having too much clutter because of keeping items that I may someday turn into something else.
In the coming weeks, I will be cataloging products and items that my household uses. My intention is to see where I can reuse items and where I should give away or recycle.
"Reuse." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 23 Apr 2008, 21:56 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 24 Apr 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Reuse&oldid=207708914
How to you stay on the frugality wagon?
How to you stay on the frugality wagon? This is a question someone asked in a frugal group that I belong to; what would your response be?
My response:
The root of my frugality runs deep LOL! My parents have always been frugal -too tight at times BUT I learned early on waste management, reusing, re-purposing, thrifty shopping, saving etc. Money and time are big motivators for me. The more money I don't have to spend the more time I can spend enjoying my family. I try to make a game out of it too! I love a challenge. And I get a saving high LOL
I have found that the less I need to consume the more I can have of what I want. I want to spend time with and travel with my family, learning about life and
cultures across the globe. I want to enjoy unprocessed natural foods preferably grown from my own hands. If I am frugal with spending and efficient in earning
in both traditional and alternative methods, I can enjoy any lifestyle that I choose. I stay motivated by constantly reaping my rewards.
My response:
The root of my frugality runs deep LOL! My parents have always been frugal -too tight at times BUT I learned early on waste management, reusing, re-purposing, thrifty shopping, saving etc. Money and time are big motivators for me. The more money I don't have to spend the more time I can spend enjoying my family. I try to make a game out of it too! I love a challenge. And I get a saving high LOL
I have found that the less I need to consume the more I can have of what I want. I want to spend time with and travel with my family, learning about life and
cultures across the globe. I want to enjoy unprocessed natural foods preferably grown from my own hands. If I am frugal with spending and efficient in earning
in both traditional and alternative methods, I can enjoy any lifestyle that I choose. I stay motivated by constantly reaping my rewards.
Priorities
Are you concerned about the economic and agricultural state of the US? So am I. Some say Americans are headed for severe economic hardship. Others
are focusing on the prospect of famine. Most, if not all, I have talked to recommend the stockpiling of food, water, medical supplies, hygiene items, weapons,
non-electric dependent appliances and heating and cooking devices.
All of which I think is a great idea. I believe it would be neglectful of me as a wife and mother not to prepare my household at all times. There is always
crisis at the ready -global, national, regional, local and personal.
How you plan, prepare and prioritize is key. I have been dedicating a lot of time in prayerful meditation contemplating and seeking the Wisdom and Guidance
of God to change my will and desires away from consumeristic ideals.
I challenge you to delve into your heart. What is a need? What is a want?
are focusing on the prospect of famine. Most, if not all, I have talked to recommend the stockpiling of food, water, medical supplies, hygiene items, weapons,
non-electric dependent appliances and heating and cooking devices.
All of which I think is a great idea. I believe it would be neglectful of me as a wife and mother not to prepare my household at all times. There is always
crisis at the ready -global, national, regional, local and personal.
How you plan, prepare and prioritize is key. I have been dedicating a lot of time in prayerful meditation contemplating and seeking the Wisdom and Guidance
of God to change my will and desires away from consumeristic ideals.
I challenge you to delve into your heart. What is a need? What is a want?
Clothing
I remember being in the 6th or 7th grade endlessly begging my mother to buy me a specific name brand shirt. All the popular girls in my school wore them. My mom went out and bought the same style shirt but not a name brand.
She gave it to me on Christmas and selfishly, I cried and cried. When I explained to her about the brand name and how important it was to me, she said that she never saw the need for name brands. She felt as though you were paying more for an item with someones name on it. They should be paying you for being a walking advertisement, she said.
After much arguing, I finally wore the shirt to school. In 2nd period some popular girls encircled me and lifted my hair to see if my shirt was "real". When they saw that there was no logo they laughed and laughed.
I remember being mortified. I never told my mom, but the incident has stuck in my mind to this day. While my budget never afforded name brand or what I consider now luxury brand items, I spent many years squandering my earnings on name brand cosmetics, clothing, shoes and accessories.
Now, I look back at my designer shopping and brand envy days and regret every minute. When I see sports and other stars gaining riches off being "walking advertisements" the appreciation for my mother's words has come full circle.
Now I have a daughter. As she grows I will try to instill the values my mother tried to instill in me. Will she be strong enough to hang on to those values if she is humiliated, as I was? Will I? Time will tell.
I still get a twinge of designer envy now and then but I center myself by focusing on value and quality. Hey, if I get a GREAT deal on a QUALITY designer product - great. If not, OH WELL!
She gave it to me on Christmas and selfishly, I cried and cried. When I explained to her about the brand name and how important it was to me, she said that she never saw the need for name brands. She felt as though you were paying more for an item with someones name on it. They should be paying you for being a walking advertisement, she said.
After much arguing, I finally wore the shirt to school. In 2nd period some popular girls encircled me and lifted my hair to see if my shirt was "real". When they saw that there was no logo they laughed and laughed.
I remember being mortified. I never told my mom, but the incident has stuck in my mind to this day. While my budget never afforded name brand or what I consider now luxury brand items, I spent many years squandering my earnings on name brand cosmetics, clothing, shoes and accessories.
Now, I look back at my designer shopping and brand envy days and regret every minute. When I see sports and other stars gaining riches off being "walking advertisements" the appreciation for my mother's words has come full circle.
Now I have a daughter. As she grows I will try to instill the values my mother tried to instill in me. Will she be strong enough to hang on to those values if she is humiliated, as I was? Will I? Time will tell.
I still get a twinge of designer envy now and then but I center myself by focusing on value and quality. Hey, if I get a GREAT deal on a QUALITY designer product - great. If not, OH WELL!
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