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My Frugal Life - A Fun Adventure

For 21 years, I've lived the "frugal life" so, I guess it's really a way of life for us now. I've done all the classic frugal things. Most people say I have a knack for being in the right place at the right time, but I think it's really about being aware of what's going on.

I recently went to a store and noticed they were having a "sidewalk" sale. From where I was, it looked like it was all beer and patio furniture, but I walked over anyway. Past all that was a small canopy with the stores used floor decorations on sale. I got a huge valentines table cloth and two pieces of burlap (that I'll use for my rug making) for $1 each.

Watch for things out of place. When I'm at the grocery store and I see a worker's cart just sitting, I go check it out, that's usually where the bargain produce is. A couple of months ago, I spotted a big box marked "deer apples" $4. I had no idea what "deer apples" were, but for $4, I could find something to do with them. Well, a little research taught me that deer apples are any apple considered inedible. For the store, it meant any apple with the slightest blemish. I got 30 pounds of perfectly edible apples for $4!

The biggest lesson I've learned is to watch my attitude about money with my children. My 20 year old son is on his own now and called to ask if I had any ideas how he could make a little extra cash. I mentioned picking up cans and redeeming them. He didn't think it was worth it. I said, "We used to do that all the time. We'd go to the state park and pick up the cans, redeem them, then go get the bargain foods from the fast food place, go back to the state park and have a picnic." What he said next still leaves me smiling. He said, "I remember the picnics, but I don't remember the cans."

Make it fun. And make it normal. Being frugal, doesn't have to mean being a miser. My frugal life is more than just making it, it's a fun adventure.

Laura from Coupeville, WA

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