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I was raised by a grandmother, aunt and uncle who survived the great depression, where frugal was the way to survive without starving. That childhood ingrained in me the "frugal" mind set. Even though the depression was long over, my family still embraced a frugal lifestyle.
As years passed and I left their home to attend college and make my own way, these traits stayed with me, even though I developed some bad habits along the way. Skip down the road 20 years, I am married with a child of my own. Living the typical American family life, taking for granted everything I had and everything I wasted mindlessly. My husband had a tragic accident earlier this year and lost three fingers on his right hand. It happened on Valentines Day. We had been living paycheck to paycheck, mostly because of wasteful attitudes. All of a sudden, we were financially strapped, facing a severe cut in income.
Becoming conscious of what we had and how to stretch it out, kicked in my frugal upbringing. I now search the papers, TV, and magazines for ways to cut back. Stumbling upon this website was a godsend. It has only been a few days, but I have hope again. Scripture says something about training a child in right ways and they will never forget. Well, I guess I am living proof. I am very thankful for my frugal upbringing, and all you frugal contributors for helping me maintain a family.
Michelle from Labelle, PA
Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml
By
11/16/2011
I look back and see myself a lot in some of these posts. I wish somehow the kids today could read these. If you tell them things we had to do it shocks them. For instants the outdoor potty things we had to live with. I didn't know this was here until now. It's great.
By
08/15/2010
When you grow up poor you appreciate life and you have a story to tell.You learn that every cent counts and if you are short of one cent to buy a loaf of bread,you can't get it and you go to school without lunch.When you go to school and your friends buy a packet of chips and you don't have and you trail behind them if they will offer you.When you don't have a jersey during winter and it is bitter cold.Learn to appreciate what little you have,you might be the lucky one.
By
02/17/2010
I too am from Nova Scotia and grew up very poor on a farm where we had lots to eat but not much else.We had to be in the garden to weed most of the summer as that s what it took to feed 6 kids also ate beef lamb and goats pigs.
One thing that stayed with me is I always said when I grow up I will never weed another garden or eat any kind of animal. But I have grown a flower garden and I do eat a small amount of meat. I try to be saving and do without when I have to but can't say I am frugal. Pennypal
By
11/02/2009
I too came across this wonderful website and I can honestly say that the TF members feel like an extended family. There is always someone who will answer any requests, or just reading all the wonderful tips just make you feel part of a very kind community. So many thanks to this fantastic website. helen
By
02/26/2009
As I read these comments, I too had very frugal parents and grandparents. In those days I called them 'cheap'.
I have had many setbacks in the last few years but now I realize again, that I was guilty of waste.
Magazine subscriptions that I took that I never read but browsed through. Thrown away. Cosmetics that I just had to have...sometimes only the joy of getting them and only using them a few times and then added to the already full cosmetic drawers.
Clothes and shoes that I 'just needed'. They were good for a season and then when I lost weight.....gave them away. Others didn't have to buy and loved them.
God has given us this wonderful website to help us make the most of what we have without waste.
We must be good stewards to what He has given us.
It becomes possible with ideas from all of us to share with each other.
Thank you so much for your gift of this website and to all who share from their own experiences what they do to help us in our quest for a more peaceful life.
By
12/12/2008
This site is truly a God send, for us all. Hoping and praying Susan is feeling better and home soon from the hospital!
By
12/12/2008
When I was just expecting my second child, we had old bills, one job in the family which my husband hated, and no credit (that's how it was then). I had decided to have my baby at home and knew I had to pay the doctor before delivery, and had to do everything to maintain my nutrition. I came across a USDA nutrition book at Goodwill, sat down and added up all our bills (most were fixed amounts).
We had an old 4 cylinder car which was paid for and we limited our trips to work and groceries. I went to a store that had bins of bulk food, and a butcher. I planned our menus to the serving by nutrition first and then found recipes I knew how to cook that we liked. I bought by ounces for all of us, it was that tight...My son wasn't in school so that helped. We had soup and bread, made turtle shaped loaves on bread day which was fun. I made cookies, etc. Our coffee was rationed. Everything was rationed. I made baby clothes and in those days babies didn't have as much stuff. I was going to nurse (did, 16 months, no supplementary bottles) so that saved us.
So many things considered 'necessary' now didn't even exist.
Every time you need something and don't have it ask yourself or an older person what was done in the 1960's, 50's, 40's, and so on as far as you can find out. You may find another way of meeting the need, substituting from materials on hand, or not needing it at all. I am sorry for your husband's injury, and the stress of it all, but creativity and researching back down the technology chain works wonders. Good luck.
By Artlady (Guest Post)
12/12/2008
I'm sorry to hear of your husband's accident. I hope he continues to get along well. This just reminds me that God gives us lessons in life and we never know when we'll be called on to use them.
By CArol in PA (Guest Post)
12/12/2008
When I was young, I was a dorm parent at a private school. I observed how hard life must be for children raised in the lap of luxury. Some never get a sense of what is necessary and what is extra. I came to call them "poor little rich kids." IMHO, its easier to be raised poor then either stay poor or get rich than to be raised rich and become poor.
Thanks for writing.
By
12/12/2008
Happy to see others appreciative of Thrifty Fun :-) Definitely a Godsend and a wonderful community :-)
By
12/11/2008
I agree and can relate to everything you have written. I love the generosity of the ThriftyFun community. I've learned a LOT from this group.
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