It's ages (well, nearly a week) since I posted on this blog. I am still here. I'm still munching my way through the contents of the freezer and the store cupboard. And it is BORING!
I had my tongue firmly in my cheek when I chose my user name Frugally Challenged. I'm not very good at this frugality malarkey. I manage my money carefully and manage to have more money than month more times than I have more month than money. (You may have to read that sentence a couple of times!) I have enough cash for a few treats because I choose carefully.
I try and make the best use of my possessions and my opportunities but I have many more of those than a lot of people and I know I am very lucky. I take my hat off to those who live on minute amounts of money and still manage to have a great time. Even more I take my hat off to those who make frugality and penny pinching exciting at times when others would just find it depressing.
So why am I writing this post? Simply this. It may be that someone reads my blog who does find frugality totally boring, who is longing for a splurge, who can't understand how anyone could possibly lead a joyful life limited by a lack of cash.
But what is great is the brilliant night's sleep one gets when the budget is in order, the holiday planned and budgetted for and then enjoyed, the satisfaction of knowing that all next month's money is yours, not your creditors.
I couldnt agree with you more. Not worrying about money is good for you.
Oh I love a challenge. We have been only spending £120 a week to feed the four of us plus diesel, activities for the boys, anything apart from regular household bills. Not as impressive as your £10 a week challenge but I always plan our meals and also did it to use up things we already have, not to fill my freezer with spare bread etc and to be ready when we move. Not having money worries is liberating. When you have more you definitely think about it more. How can you worry about what you don't have?
Hi Louise, welcome to my blog! You've got it right, Not having money worries is liberating - but not having money is imprisoning! My £10 a week is just one week but others have that as a permanent state of life, either because their income is low or because they have crippling debt. When it is seen as a challenge it is fun, when it is not it is a grind. Most bloggers see it as a challenge but that can sound intimidating to those who are looking for help and inspiration and are finding the grind interminable. They have my sympathy.
I agree with all of the above. I do hope you didn't think I was being patronising in any way. I'm not sure I should say this next bit because to be honest I find it a bit embarrasing sometimes. Hubs and I are mortgage free but only because we had a business we set up, sold up then bought the shell of a house and renovated it ourselves. I don't tell many people because if you don't have a mortgage at my age, 47 nearly, I think people assume you are loaded with cash. This is not the case at all and just becasue we don't have that certain amount of money leaving our account each month doesn't mean I am not careful with money. We don't have a credit card, the back took it off us because we didn't use it enoughYou are on my own blog list of inspiring blogs to read.
I don't find frugality to be boring -- I find it to be challenging -- in a good way. I think it keeps the mind sharp trying to figure out ways to get what you want and at a good price. For instance, I love to read and have been buying books and e-books for years now rather than going to the library. However, I am now learning to enjoy the library again because I need to be more frugal as to what I bring into the house as I really have no more room for books without getting rid of some. I have done loads of reading about minimalism and I am not so sure I can do that well, if at all, although I like the concept. However, there is a world of difference between frugality and minimalism -- to me frugality means being deliberate in your choices with an eye on the money and minimalism means doing without a lot of stuff that to me is simply creature comfort.
Most of the time I agree with you but sometimes I'm afraid it is boring and I am concerned that people trying to find inspiration on frugality blogs must find the mindset of the bloggers light years away from where they stand. It can be fun, but when your child wants a special Christmas present or your partner is desperate for something or the only friends you have are going out it must be lonely and boring and if you feel you are the only person in the world in that place it would be very easy to be discouraged. It's easy to say get your partner on board, say no to your child, or find new friends but not so easy to put that well-meaning advice into practice. When I read blogs of women (usually younger than myself and not brought up in a world where make-do-and-mend was what EVERYBODY did) and they are struggling to climb a mountain of debt I want to give them a virtual hug for they are truly heroines.
Hi. I wonder if you have read a book called Stuffocation. It is about experientialism, spending money on experiences rather than stuff. It touches on lots of subjects such as how hoarding has increased fire risk, minimalism which is very different to experientialism, living life more with less and it has points of views regarding how we live our lives through consumerism taken from economists, sociologists, psychologists etc and it is such a fantastic book. It encouraged me to sell our second car and put my wedding dress up for sale. It gives you a different perspective on what we need, want, use etc throughout our lives. It has helped us prepare for when we finally move. Big recommendation from me.
Yes,I can honestly say that frugality is boring when there is no choice and it's been a way of life for many years. Money gives people choices, not least the choice of whether to be frugal or not. It's a whole other ball game when it isn't a choice, a challenge or a game, but a matter of survival. I speak from experience; many years of experience.
You've said it very elegantly. Debt reduces one's choices hugely as does a very limited income. When survival is the need, it is no fun.
Bravo! The last two paragraphs there, especially, very well said!
It's youngsters like you, Rivulet, who were brought up in the post-make-do-and-mend era and yet try so hard to make every penny count, who are my heroines. Sometimes your determination takes my breath away.