Frugal Isn't a Bad Word

Being frugal is the new “in” thing. It’s all the hype for the moment. I say for the moment because many individuals who are practicing this “new” phenomenon are doing so today out of need, not choice. And that is unfortunate. Because once their financial condition improves, they will revert back to their old ways. You see, prior to our economic meltdown, the word frugal was a bad word. Many people felt that to live frugally was to live a life of deprivation. Even worse, individuals who announced that they were frugal were looked upon as being uncouth and cheap. That belief couldn’t be further from the truth.

The practice of being frugal has been around forever. It’s been called other things, but the principles remain the same. Samuel Smiles wrote about being frugal in his 1891 published book titled “Thrift”. What an amazing read. Our forefathers knew the way…we’ve just lost ours.

Being frugal is nothing more than living below your means. Being frugal is using things up. When was the last time you really used up a piece of clothing or tube of toothpaste?

Being frugal means not spending money you have not yet earned. Being frugal is not about being a neurotic penny pitcher. It’s about making calculated choices that lead to freedom.

Here are some great tips on being frugal:

Eating Out

Pack your lunch a few days a week. I pack every day for two reasons, it’s cost effective and I get to eat a well planned meal daily - which goes a long way in managing your weight. Brew your own coffee at home and at work. Eating out for lunch every day at work or purchasing coffee once, twice or three times a day is just downright expensive.

Eating In

Think vegetarian. Cook meatless meals a couple nights a week. When I do prepare meat for my boys, I rarely use it as an entrée. I use it more like a garnish or ingredient. Invest in a great cookbook, compile an array of fragrant spices and grow your own vegetables.

Grocery Shopping

Grocery shop with a list. Utilizing a list while shopping keeps you on task and goes a long way in eliminating impulse buying. Always clip and use coupons for groceries, cleaning products, beauty products and other items you purchase regularly. Using coupons effectively helps stretch your grocery budget. Visit www.couponmom.com for coupons as well as pointers. Moms and dads, always grocery shop alone and on a full stomach. Kids are gifted at getting you to buy unplanned items, and shopping while hungry weakens your frugal powers.

Household

Never allow anyone to wear shoes in your home. This may sound radical, but believe me people will happily conform. I have practiced this ritual in my household for over 12 years now. This will extend the life of your carpet and other flooring. This will also delay the need to have the carpet professionally cleaned. When washing laundry, use cold water only. Modern-day detergents do a great job cleaning clothes whether you use cold, warm or hot water.

Beauty

Instead of getting your hair cut every four weeks, stretch it out to every six weeks. Learn to do your own manicures and pedicures at home. Take the money you would have spent on a manicure/pedicure and buy the necessary items for home. A quick list of my supplies: good base coat and top coat, quick-dry polish, good hand and foot cream, baby oil, milk, manicure kit, lip balm. The lip balm serves a dual purpose. It keeps my lips and cuticles in great shape. Use a warm water, baby oil and milk mixture to soak your hands and feet. It’s awesome and economical.

Caring for Clothes

Buy clothes that don’t need dry cleaning. Dry cleaning costs have skyrocketed. The last time I checked locally, the cost was approximately $6 per garment. Those clothes that do require dry cleaning, try doing it yourself at home. I currently dry clean my clothes at home using my laundry dryer and dry cleaning sheets. I’ve done this for years. It’s easy, effective and amazingly inexpensive. You should also keep on hand a quality iron, garment steamer, starch and spot remover.

Barter

When you barter there is no cash involved. Bartering is the process of trading your talent or service for another’s talent or service. For example, you could tend to your neighbor’s garden while they are on vacation in exchange for them caring for your pets while your family is on vacation. This bartering arrangement eliminates your neighbor’s need to hire and pay a gardener, while eliminating your need to pay boarding fees for your pet while your family vacations.

Entertainment

Get creative with family time and outings. Pull out and dust off the board games. A good game of Scrabble® or Monopoly® will keep the family entertained for hours. Have a nice picnic at the park. Or take the family to a discount movie theater. My local discount movie theater charges $3 per person and $1.75 person on Tuesdays. Go on a full belly to eliminate the chance of being seduced into buying expensive and fattening refreshments. You could save even more by renting a movie from your local movie rental store. The library is an even better option…movie check-outs are free!

Health

Drink water as the beverage of choice. It’s free and great for your overall well-being. Exercise and eat better. Be sure to keep up-to-date on physicals and annual checkups. All together, these steps will go a long way to keep your body strong and healthy which should reduce or eliminate the need to pay for expensive doctor visits, hospital stays and prescriptions.

Bring Outsourced Jobs In-House

Treat your own lawn; groom your own pet; paint the living room yourself; wash, wax and detail the family car at home; clean your own carpet or do your own framing. This is a short list, but the possibilities are endless. Get the entire family involved.

I practice all of the suggestions I’ve made, plus others. Living a frugal lifestyle is wonderful, simple and powerful. Start today not by eliminating a whole area from your life, but by trimming back a little bit in all areas of your life. You’re going to like your new found wealth and self.

S.P. Starks

Your Frugal Coach