How cool am I? What, not cool at all?! I'm okay with that.
Every day I write a bit about myself. So you already know that I am a mother to teenage boys, labor and delivery nurse, utility bill scholar, laundry hanger-upper, library patron, dorky goofball, leftovers technician, crafty upcycler, frequent napper, and Star Trek enthusiast.
But what about you?
Many readers regularly share their two cents in the comments section. But just yesterday 3000+ readers clicked on the blog, yet only four chose to comment. That’s a lot of lurkers, my friend.
I want to know about you!
- Where do you live?
- Are you a dyed in the wool frugalista, or did you come to it kicking and screaming?
- Do you have a blog? If so, please tell me a little bit about it and include a link!
- What posts on The Non-Consumer Advocate do you like, and which ones bore you to tears?
- Do you know me, if so how? Did you give birth to me? (Hi, mom!)
- And anything else you wish to share.
Because seriously, sometimes I get tired of hearing myself speak. Today is for you readers. I really want to know about you! So please, delurk! I will reply to every single comment today, although it may take awhile, as I’ve been doing it for a couple hours straight now and need to shower and attend to some dental hygiene.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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Forgot to say, I’m a total Buffy-fan, also.
And, another reason for my general frugality is that I’m planning to retire at 56!!!!
Go, Buffy! I’m even watching “Ringer,” even though there’s no Buffy connection other than Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Katy
I live in Tottenham, a small town north of Toronto (in Ontario, Canada). I flirted with frugality when I finished university but once I had paid off my student debt (I worked 3-4 jobs during my university years so there wasn’t much debt to pay off), I dove back into consumerism. After a few years of that, I switched to a job I loved but which paid me very little (woohoo to being a flight attendant!) so I went back to frugality as a way to be able to keep the job and still pay rent AND afford groceries. Even though I make more now (having gone up the salary scale a bit), my frugal ways stuck around.
I have a blog. Its rarely updated (its one of my goals to get it going again). I’m too shy to link to it now though. I want to work on it first!
I’m apparently a voyeur so I LOVE posts that show what your home is like. Your goodwill finds just me jealous…I rarely find stuff that nice at my thrift stores!
I don’t know you but wish I at least knew more people like you IRL. My friends/family are all generally spendthrifts (I *think* they all assume I’m going through a phase).
Being a flight attendant is my secret dream job. I love to travel, and as a nurse, it would be a perfect fit.
Keep the the frugality, and it will allow you years of travel and adventure. Good for you!
Katy
Hello here from central Indiana. I post occasionally, but usually can’t think of anything interesting or useful that hasn’t already been said. I like just about all the posts, but I really like the day in the life ones, and the ones where you say it is ok to nap or just read a book instead of plowing ahead at 100 miles per hour ! (I need the affirmation
)
I am a newby frugalista, realizing I had a little too much debt and was just worn out by all the keeping up with the Jones. I teach at a university and am struck (and saddened by) the strong consumer instinct in most students I work with. I am trying to influence that a little — one student at a time…
I have also been very influenced by the Adventures of Coin Girl. I have suddenly started seeing coins on the ground a lot (one advantage — college students wouldn’t stoop (ha ha) to picking up change. ) However, I have noticed that when I do pick up coins it is often at risk of life and limb, like in the Walgreen’s parking lot or in a crowd all leaving a football game. I guess I need to learn to pick my timing a little better…?
Picking up change is just like giving CPR. First, you have confirm that the scene is safe.
Teaching at the university level is a very unique opportunity to influence people. My father, (who is a professor) was just talking about the extended conversations that he’s been having with a particular student who is extremely negative. My dad thinks he’ll be able to get through to this young man, but it’s step by tiny step.
Glad you like my posts about giving yourself permission to do very little. It’s pretty much my life’s endeavor.
Katy
I’m late to the party, but I love your blog! I live in New York City and my frugality has been slowly evolving over the past 7 or 8 years as part of a general self-improvement/happiness-maximizing project. I love the posts about decorating projects, because, while I’m a very good cook, extremely versatile with leftovers, moderately skillful with a needle and thread, and can plan a great, cheap children’s party, I know little to nothing about decorating on a dime. I’m currently looking for the perfect vintage quilt and thrift-store wall art for a bedroom facelift.
NYC is the best and most awesome city for frugal decorating! Everyone leaves their extra stuff on the street. (I know, bedbug issues have probably cramped this style of decorating since I lived there last.)
Thanks for the nice words.
Katy
I’m *loving* all these comments and reading about the other readers here. What a great idea! It’s going to take me some time to get through all these…and time well spent. You have such interesting readers!
I found the blog through you, directly of course. Katy and I are IRL friends from when we were in high school, though we haven’t been able to see each other IRL for far too many years.
I’ve been reading The Non-Consumer Advocate for so long, I have no idea when I started (years ago, for sure). I check it daily, and often come back to read through the comments. (I was travelling last week, though, so missed this post until today — I know I’m late to the party.)
My favorite part is the slice-of-life seeing what you’re up to, and of course the humor. I also love the controversial topics, where there isn’t necessarily a “right” answer, where you take a stand. (Probably the posts you enjoy the least, since you are the one who has to deal with the comments.)
Personally I am trying to find a balance. I have been a seriously frugal person for a long time, always worried about money and trying to spend less. After a major life event a few years ago, I have come to realization that since I am lucky enough to be financially able, sometimes it is worth it to spend money for things. (Your necklace restringing is a good example.) I have a once-in-a-while house cleaner, and recently moved into a condo where the snow removal is done by someone else. Most especially, I’ve started spending on vacations — taking the kids on a cruise a few years ago, and just recently to southern California.
We still love our frugal activities (camping is a major source of enjoyment, and board games are a staple at our house), but we also now have Netflix and everyone in the house has a cell phone. For me, at least right now, it’s all about finding a reasonable balance.
It’s fun to read so many lovely words from the commenters about my favorite blog. Love the blog, Katy. Love *you* even more.
Aww, Barbara. I love you too!
I’m looking forward to figuring out a way to see you in Seattle next summer.
Hugs and kisses,
Katy
I am currently living in Ecuador. When I started following you I lived in GA, USA. I want to be frugal all the time but it can be difficult in a new country. My friends get on me about being to frugal because it affects my appearance (my hair needs to be dyed) but I can’t justify the cost.
. I hope to find a way to be more frugal here in Ecuador. If there are any followers of your from Ecuador please feel free to share with me ways to live more frugally here. Thank you for blogging. It gives me something to look forward too. 
I blog at http://lookingforthesimplelife-ss.blogspot.com I am a beginner and I am try to get better at blogging but sometimes it is just too hard to blog. I started my blog when my husband and I were changing jobs and I was trying to reduce our monthly payments. We have 5 children all together and now that we live in EC we have to save money to visit them or bring them here.
Gosh which post do I like? um that is hard because I think I like all of them.
I don’t know you but wish I did
I love finding out that my words are being read throughout the world! Being frugal in a different country sounds like a very unique challenge. Please check back in and share if you learn any tricks.
Katy
This is an awesome idea:
33 year old married mom of 1. Live in Salt Lake City, UT
Born with the Thrifty gene. I’m a total squirrel and love to read about other Thrifties.
Not a blogger; I’m a reader, not a writer.
I enjoy ALL your posts, except maybe the re-posts because I’ve already read them all.
Don’t know you in real life, but I think I read a book co-written by your sister once…something about terrible ex-boyfriends maybe?
Your posts make me laugh out loud so I keep coming back for more.
I’ll have to tell my sister you read that book. I think it’s called “What Was I Thinking?”
Glad to know there are other born with the thrifty gene!
Katy
I have just recently become a subscriber of your blog. I don’t remember exactly how I found it, but I’m pretty sure it was for something having to do with Goodwill. I love to see your thrifty finds and your tips for saving money. I’ve never been a big spender, but since I graduated college (dental hygiene) and I’ve only found part-time work, we’ve really needed to cut our spending even more. I started a little blog in January to connect with other thrifty people (and those who have other similar interests, too). And now your blog is even cooler since now I know about your Star Trek enthusiasm!
Thanks for sharing all of this with all of us!
Sorry to hear that you’ve been having a hard time finding enough work, but I’m happy you’re enjoying the community of frugality!
Katy
My husband is military, so I’ve followed his career from Indiana to Texas to Louisiana. I’d say my family planted the frugal-living seed, but I’ve definitely taken it to another level. There’s lots of DYI in my house (laundry detergent, stain treater, handsoap), a garden, chickens, trash picking, reselling, moderate couponing, etc. My mother is mortified at the trash picking! There is still plenty I buy new and I do sometimes feel wasteful, but I am resolved to always do better. I came across your blog about six months ago. I’ve blogged privately for more than seven years and am currently working on something to go public with. I’ll let you know when that happens
We found a rug in seriously PERFECT condition on Sunday night! Selling it today for $50
Atta girl!
Katy
Hi Katy,
I look forward to reading your blog at least once a week, I even go look at the archives if I need a ‘fix’. I appreciate that you can spell & phrase a sentence nicely AND I love your sense of humor, and the topics you write about just always seem to engage. I think I found out about your blog about a year ago from an article in a London newspaper — ? Frugality is an interest of mine, sadly probably an obsession, but another attraction is that you are from beautiful Portland, my home town. You and I are also the same age and I see in you & your blog ‘the road not taken.’ My family is still in Portland, & I visit usually once a year, but have lived happily in Europe since my mid-twenties (after grad school at PSU — where I never had your father as a prof — but I’m always seeing things I know in your blog so I am sure we have acquaintances in common). Before grad school I taught a few years in Japan, & I like hearing about you & your family’s interest in Japan, too. We’ve just moved recently from London (didn’t you spend time in England, too? Loved your ‘ello luv Union Jack tray!) where we lived in a wealthy community back to a farming community in rural Bavaria, Germany. I felt frugal in London but like a spendthrift here. Your blog has been a bright constant & I’m ‘delurking’ to thank you for it. Will see you at the Goodwill in Portland this summer
Wow, it sounds like you are living such an interesting life. I lived in London for three years while growing up, although it was spread out throughout the seventies and eighties.
Thank you so much for delurking and sharing your story with The Non-Consumer Advocate community, and maybe I will see you at Goodwill this summer!
Katy
I am a mother of 3 (2 boys 7, almost 6 and a girl, 3). I was a full-time SAHM until last April when I started a part-time evening job so my husband can watch the kids. My job is actually watching other people’s kids when they work out at a local gym…which is nice b/c my kids can come to work with me if need be and my hubby and I get free memberships (worth $50/month)
I haven’t always been frugal and I won’t say I’m SUPER frugal now but I’m getting better. We are WEEKS away from being DEBT FREE except the house (Thank you Dave Ramsey) and we are looking forward to trying to meet him in person this spring.
I do have a blog but I don’t have a “theme” – it’s just what I’m thinking about at the time. I have borrowed ideas from you such as the I am…. or Five things that make me Happy… I blog more to just get my thoughts out then for any other reason but it is definitely interesting to see where people read my blog on my statistics page.
I love reading your blog because it gives me ideas, strength in my conviction on not spending a lot of some things, and it makes me feel that maybe I can do things I wouldn’t have done before like really shop at goodwill or consignment shops…I don’t have the patience some days to “dig” for treasures. But I LOVE watching what you find and what you can do with them.
I guess that’s me. I read the blog when this was originally posted but I didn’t have the time to “delurk” and introduce myself.
Thanks for letting us lurk more. I’ve commented in the past and I’m sure I’ll comment again.
Congrats on your almost debt-free status, that is a major accomplishment!
Happy to hear that you find ideas and inspiration on the blog. It’s a labor of love for me, so it means a lot to hear that people enjoy it! Thanks for the nice words!
Katy
Hi Katy,
I think I found your blog through TheFrugalGirl…not sure. I have been lurking for quite sometime
I am 31 and I live in San Diego, I am also a nurse (6 years of LDR, 5 years of mom and baby home health), and am in school to become a nurse practitioner. I am getting married to my partner of 4 years this June and we are finding all kinds of frugal ways to add to our wedding day!
You have given me tons of frugal ideas to be creative with what I already have and have helped me increase my love for goodwill exponentially! I feel like your blog is relatable, funny, and easy to read and that is why I enjoy it. I do not have a blog….maybe someday when I am out of school though. I like pretty much all the posts on here, especially projects/goodwill finds and the posts about what you are doing that day that is frugal.
Thanks for encouraging comments….sometimes it feels silly to post a little comment on something, I have been lurking for so long, it’s nice to say hi
~meaghan
Meaghan,
I am so happy that you found the inspiration to delurk! And mother-baby home health? That’s sounds like such a satisfying job, as I imagine that you are very appreciated. (I’m guessing you always get a hug when you leave the client’s home!)
Thank you so much for the kind words about the blog, and I hope you find yourself joining the conversation in the future!
Katy
Hey-
I live in Maryland/Pennsylvania (depending on when you read this), I’m in the middle of a move.
I guess you could say I’m a mixture of dyed-in-the-wool & kicking-and-screaming. I am, by nature, a use it up kind of girl. However, every once & awhile I get the “ooohh, look at that” syndrome & my nature/budget gets blown out of the water
As far as my fav posts, I enjoy all of them. I check my e-mail on my phone when I am on breaks at work & you’re posts are always a bright point of my day (not to mention, you’re sense of humor is almost exactly like mine!!)
Keep it up Katy!!!!! You are awesome!
Thank you so much for all the nice words, and I guess I have to say I’m sorry to hear we have the same sense of humor. It has a tendency to get me in trouble every now and then.
Good luck with your move!
Katy
Hi Katy! I’m Vicki. I’ve mostly been lurking (I read blogs on my smart phone while I nurse my son to sleep and it is nearly impossible to comment). I’m a big fan of your blog (and Young House Love too!) for inspiration and motivation! I also just really enjoy your writing.
I live in Reading, Pennsylvania. I’ve come to be thrifty gradually – when I was a little girl, my grandmother would take me to department stores and we’d pick out the sparkliest, newest clothes. Now I buy exclusively used clothing for me, my husband, and kids. I buy used everything I can, from Goodwill, Craigslist, Ebay, or accepting Hand-me-downs. I have a 14 month son, and I’ve encouraged many of the mommies in our La Leche League playgroup (nursing is super frugal!) to shop thrift and consignment stores.
I believe in “used” for all the reasons – it saves us money, it saves the environment little by little, it teaches important values to the children. Fortunately I married someone thrifty (although he spends money on good food).
Thanks for asking! I always get excited when your posts come up in my blog reader! Hooray!
It’s sounds like you’re spreading the gospel of thrift.
Happy to hear that you find inspiration and motivation in the blog, that’s a wonderful compliment! Thank you!
Katy
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