The Value of Boring Frugality
Sometimes frugality centers around clever hacks that fall under the "Wow, I never would've thought of that!" umbrella. Mostly though, it's the boring stuff. It's eating your leftovers, repeating outfits, evenings (and days) spent at home and keeping far away from those dreaded Joneses.
Here are five boring examples:
1) A fat stack of library books. Scratches that "new stuff" itch, plus the books get returned, which means they don't clutter your home.
2) A backyard clothesline, even though my backyard is deeply shady. It saves a bit off our electric bill, plus extends the life of our clothing.
3) Simple meals, like this bowl of Winco bulk oatmeal, topped with bulk purchased almonds and raisins.
4) Inexpensive hobbies and socializing. Here I am with my friend Rosalie, taking a "mirror selfie" in a vintage chrome toaster. I invited her over a few days ago and we enjoyed homemade cranberry bread and coffee at the house and then walked over to a neighborhood secondhand store. I have another friend date scheduled for the end of the week, which is also likely to center around munchies at the house.
5) Contentment. There's peace when you stop chasing the latest and greatest; newest and shiniest. While this is hardly new information, it's certainly hidden in our consumer driven society.
We have Formica kitchen countertops and our cars are eight and 19 years old. You know what? They're all fully functional and we own them outright. While Madison Avenue encourages us to imagine our "dream life," it's purely in the name of profit. They don't care about us and lose out when we find contentment with things others consider outdated.
Instead be the person who finds contentment with the quality items you already own. That way you can direct your money towards the things that really matter.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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I take absolute joy in the billionaires losing out when I'm content with what I have. Sharing with my family and friends is another great joy. I just emptied 2 baskets (like new) which I've had for years and just don't need anymore (I'm early 50's and receiving things as older relatives pass away). I asked DIL if she could use the baskets (little kid stage of life) and she immediately said yes. Another win for the average human being.
Now I'm biking to PO to mail some Vinted sales, so things can continue giving good service to someone.
I love your kitchen. ❤️ I hope to always be content with what I have. (mostly, anyways), including my kitchen, which includes the cabinets I picked out 25 years ago and hope to have for the rest of my life. Nothing wrong with Formica!
I can do boring!
I have stayed home the last couple days. No spending except laundry (coin-operated machines in my condo building). Today was particularly exciting because I washed my bedspread, shams and mattress pad, something I do quarterly unless an accident happens.
I am mindful of the freezer challenge, but I have perishables to use up. I made a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch, using both Cheddar and Swiss. Tonight I'll probably have granola, to use up milk.
I need to make room in my storage closet, so I'm donating an upright steam floor cleaner that I've never really used much. I carried it to my car this morning, and I'll probably hit Goodwill tomorrow. It makes me feel good to finally let go of it.
I continue to read daily -- I like to have a stack of books that I'm working through, too!