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Extreme Frugality
By Daphne | May 16, 2008
Are you content? Are you happy?
Happiness cannot be bought but you can be under stress is you do not have enough to meet your basic needs.
But, does bargain hunting give you a thrill? Is it a hobby? When I go shopping I do like to talk about the things that I
What about extreme frugality? I mean that things that really should be considered frugal but downright cheap. Some people have reasons for watering down products or reusing things longer than they should (dental floss should not be rinsed for reuse). Other people are just cheap and want to save every penny. Instead of washing dental floss, buy a cheaper brand or buy in bulk.
Extreme frugality in some cases can make you bitter. If you don’t have al lot and you want to stretch it that is one thing but taking things from others won’t make you any wealthier. Let’s say you are a friend’s house and you are given a glass of water with a slice of lemon in it. Would you ask your friend for another piece of lemon and some sugar to make lemonade? If you wouldn’t do it there, then why do it in a restaurant?
What about people who are too cheap to buy a latte if that is what they really want if they are at a coffeeshop? Would you use all of the cream in a pitcher at a friend’s house when coffee was served because you wanted a latte? Some places will put the cream and sugar in it for you rather than just give customers free reign. I have been to places like this - doesn’t bother me I prefer black coffee.
There are many detergents now that are concentrated so you can spend less when using them. Watering down some products slightly works just as well and will not affect the cleaning power. There is no law saying that you have to use a lot of detergent.
Instead of buying an additive for your water, add some fruit - limes, lemons, a slice or two of grapefruit to a pitcher of water and enjoy. This may not be very extreme, but since most of the water additives have exactly that - too many additives and sugar, make your own citrus water.
Maybe this one isn’t too extreme but definitely frugal and tasty.
Buy better quality plastic bags for storage. You may want to rinse them out, but even if you don’t sometimes you can use them for a while. If you put something messy in the bag you may not want to go through the hassle of washing and drying the bag. If you stored something dry in the bag and there are no holes in it… use it again. Not too extreme, but definitely doable.
Instead of buying expensive bags to organize your things for travel, check your dollar store first for some inexpensive mesh bags, or use heavy weight plastic bags.
Using a tea bag twice is not extreme frugality. Using it for a week is.
Buying a less expensive brand of toilet paper is not extreme frugality. Separating two ply paper into one ply is.
Taking public transportation is not extreme frugality. Hitchhiking is.
Each person has an idea of what is too much effort when it comes to saving money. If you are comfortable in your money saving and spending ways then you will tend to be more content regardless of how much money you have.
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Topics: May 2008 |