I started thinking more about this recently. I see some people toss around the word frugal, then buy multiple cars, collect extensive groups of things for decorating (I do it a bit too, so I get it). Go buy an expensive chicken coop kit to match the decor of their backyard, and I think, what? THAT'S one blog I stopped following, but that's just me. To me part of being more self-sufficient to learn to do things yourself: build things, cook, make/re-use things, read, don't waste resources. Also- know when you're out of your league and pay someone to do something for you, like trimming a 30/40 year old, huge maple tree :) Sometimes being more simple is letting go of others expectations of what you should be, how you should live. That can be very freeing.
When I was looking at my pretty empty closet recently and seeing all the clothes that were gone (weight loss) and some I will need to replace for work, I thought- how much do I really need? How many days in the week do I need to fill with outfits? Do/would people judge me if they knew half (or more) of my clothes come from thrift stores, etc? Should I even care? I also thought that sometimes it's better to buy less but higher quality, versus some people who view being frugal or simple as more for less. I'd personally would rather have a few good quality pairs of shoes that 25 pairs of junk. Or eat a small amount of amazing chocolate :) I'd rather have a few good loaves of whole grain breads than cheap white stuff with 0 nutritional value (or make my own). While I love to go thrifting, I'll be working on my food pantry more, especially after our recent storm. That reminded me that many things are simply out of our control. You do what you can. But you'd better do it now, time's a wasting....
Some good questions here- Choosing Voluntary Simplicity.com I like their positive spin, since I think life shouldn't be about denial... What do you think about frugality vs. simple living?
Delish Simple Chopped Salad Recipe-
Next on my list to try. I discovered Katie Brown years ago, when my kids were little. One of the first cooking/DIY shows I ever saw. Love ya Katie! Simple Chopped Salad
Ok, I know it's 4:30 in the morning, but I suddenly have an insane craving to go into the fridge and make that chopped salad!!
ReplyDeleteOn a completely different note, how do I "Follow" your blog??? There's no "Follow" button on here and I never remember to visit your place until I see a comment from you on mine (yes, I'm horrible).
I don't know what the "Linky" and "Google Friends" thing is or even know if I have that type of program that lets me know when you have a new post up, like my blogger thing does.
Welcome! I get cravings too, strange, huh :) Where it says "Get My New Posts By Email!" just put in your email addy below and click "submit". Let me know if that doesn't work? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat's right below the google friends box...
ReplyDeleteOr click on "join this site" thru google friends...
ReplyDeleteTo join with "google friends" you just need to set up a free google account and free email. The email ntofication might be easier. I'm ocd on ansering this, so find what works for you :)
ReplyDeleteThe chopped salad looks great! :)
ReplyDeleteI like the vintage poster for a definition of frugality!
I knew some of you would appreciate that :)
ReplyDeleteI think "pretty" is a hard aspect of frugal. I know things that I think are pretty make me happy. I know if I am organizing or buying that one thing I need, if I make it pretty I will be more likely to stick with my system or continue using that tool to make something instead of buying it pre-made. But often the pretty thing costs more to start. Sometimes it is more frugal to buy that pretty bins from Target instead of the ones from the dollar store, because keeping it pretty will motivate me, and keeping it organized improves my quality of life.
ReplyDeleteYes, I hear you. It's like getting a great deal on clothing that you don't really care for, but is cheap. You never wear it, so why bother?
ReplyDeleteYour salad looks delish! I totally agree with your voluntary simplicity sentiments :) Thanks for sharing this on The HomeAcre Hop! Hope you can join us again today. :)
ReplyDeleteThe chopped salad idea is a great one! I first read about it in a MaryJane's Farm book and it is true, the kids end up eating heaps more salad when it is chopped finely than they otherwise would.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on frugal living. It is all about making do with what you have or what is already on the planet rather than buying new. That is why I have a bit of a thing about green products. Is it really that green to buy a new product, even if it is supposedly green? I'd rather shop secondhand and make use of what has already been manufactured.
Love your blog!
Thanks Jayne! I find Mary Jane fascinating- she sure knows how to make lots of $$$! Too many ads in her "magazine" for me.. I agree with thrifting/secondhand, it's much greener! Just recycle things...
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Simple Saturdays. I agree that frugality involves using what you have or repurposing things that might otherwise be thrown away. We're big on that here. We repair what we can rather than buy new. I wear mostly thrifted clothes, and who cares what anyone thinks about it? As long as they serve the purpose, I'm good.
ReplyDeleteKeeping it simple has so many intrinsic rewards. Enjoy it!
Thanks Nancy
ReplyDelete