Frugality is defined as “being economical with money or food”.

Word to the wise, you can also be frugal with time.

Times have been difficult for a lot of people for a lot of years. Pandemic, inflation, inflation, inflation, and more inflation.

You get the drift.

I have always been low-key frugal. See also cheapskate. See also, tightwad. “But aren’t you rich? the uninformed might ask. After all, we don’t have children and we have 2 incomes.

This is both correct and incorrect. I am a nurse but I gave away the ability to make overtime when I transitioned to my new call-only role.

I like the security of knowing that there is money in our bank account, husband!

I like the thrill of the hunt at the grocery store.

I like a bargain. I do thrift, on occasion, but there are other people there.

I like participating in my local Buy Nothing group for my town. I’ve gotten some nice stuff and also given away some nice stuff. Beats the landfill or the donation place that may or may not be able to sell it. Again, beats the landfill.

Frugality is not a dirty word.

You may get some looks from your family. Or your friends. Or your spouse. But they’ll get used to it.

I leaned harder into frugality when I needed to reside the back of the house and a video I found encouraged me to do so myself, instead of hiring it out. This was 2018, I think? All I remember was that it was bitterly cold and I had a section of siding off that was 4 feet x 6 feet because it was essentially rotten and letting in tons of cold air. I learned two things: 1) there wasn’t any barrier underneath the siding into the house, which is against the building code which explained a LOT and 2) a hand warmer against your neck will keep your whole body warm.

I started reading a lot of the Frugalwoods blog. Which led to the Facebook page they hosted. I am not into the F.I.R.E. movement. This is financial independence retire early. I don’t want that. But frugality for frugality’s sake is right up my alley.

There are many tips and tricks to frugality. All you have to do is seek it out.

Stop eating out so much! Make your food at home! Make your coffee/tea at home! Seek out the best price on everything. I understand that some people don’t have the free time that I enjoy but bargain shopping, especially at the grocery store, pays off. No one is judging you for bargain hunting. After the last few years, they may ask you for tips.

It will be worth it.

I hope.

I am very nervous about the new administration coming in in THREE days.

Ugh.

I’ll just be over here, looking for deals.