Frugal basics for newbies

Lesson 1

What is Frugal?  I like catchy and direct definitions.  So mine for frugal is getting the most bang for your buck, whether it is with time or money.  Sometimes you must choose between the two depending on which is in greater supply. Wasting, is getting negative bang for your buck, so I am big on avoiding that.    

When a new person comes to my class, they often have varied expectations.  Many are drawn by  low grocery totals, many are just struggling financially and want to find better ways to stretch the budget.   Most know a little about different aspects of frugality, and have specific questions.   It is difficult to give a person enough information in a one or two hour sitting to be really useful without being overwhelming.  On one hand it is the details that will mean success or not- even as tiny a detail as the dimensions of the organizer you choose. (Too big and you won't keep it with you, too small and it becomes unorganized or falls apart with use which leads to discouragement or giving up.)   On the other hand, without some experience or basic knowledge, the details aren't attended.  At first there tends to be hit or miss attendance which has led me to the unfortunate practice of trying to give as much information as possible when they make it.   I have decided to change that, and stick to a set format

Here are some basic requirements for learning frugality or changing habits that are currently unsustainable.  These particular rules are probably true for many habits you are trying to change or skills you are attempting to learn.  For most people growth takes place because of some interest,and is spurred on by success or example.

1. It requires a commitment.  We are sharing lifestyle changes- not magic bullets like, shop on Mondays and you will always save 50% off your bill. There may well be such details, but if it were that easy, you would already be doing it.   If you want to use coupons, you are going to have to collect them, organize them and know when to use them. If you don't want to use coupons but save on your current bill, you are going to have to shop elsewhere,  buy different products, or otherwise change "something". Seems like it would be obvious, but you can't keep doing what you are doing and expect different results.  If you already know you aren't ready to change anything about your lifestyle or habits, then now is not the time to pursue it.  Pretending to try and failing because of lack commitment is worse in the long run than waiting until you are ready. 

2. It takes time.   Learning any new skill takes time. Time to put into the project, time to learn the skill and lastly time to master the skills you are learning.  Eventually when the skills have become habits, it won't take as much time.   But being frugal is going to require time and effort on your part.  (Otherwise you would already be doing it.) 

3. It doesn't require sacrifice, but it does require change. I love this one, because most people rarely see this one coming.  Most people think that being frugal or saving money is going to mean they will be denied the current things they enjoy. If that is the case, you are doing it wrong...or have some really unrealistic  and unsustainable habits.  One of the first things we discuss is what do you currently spend your money on, and why?  What experience are you getting- quality, convenience, entertainment, etc.?  Knowing the reasons  can help you find ways to keep much of the enjoyment without incurring the same cost.   Often there are tiny little tricks or details that will have a huge impact.  I hope to help you find the best balance for your lifestyle.  

4. Maturity helps.   Once I went to a marriage seminar and the first thing they said was "Marriage requires two people willing to mature."  I knew we were doomed!  The reason so many teen marriages in this country fail is that our culture doesn't support teens, (or increasingly anyone) to be mature and responsible.   I have seen some very mature children and hopelessly immature seniors.  Maturity requires a measure of self discipline and attention to details, even if that attention is unconscious habit. Maturity requires thinking past immediate gratification. Maturity isn't self centered. Maturity is patient. (If the Breyers isn't on sale this week, you have to wait and plan better next sale.) This is starting to sound like a certain verse.... Lest I plagiarize God, I had better stop here.  

5. It takes education.  Frugality is something you learn to do, not a "gift" you are born with.  That means anyone can learn. That also means you must take the time to do so. 

Strike while the iron is hot!

This was one of my aunts favorite quotes. There will no doubt be post's with others!

     Yesterday I was cleaning off the kitchen counter and picked up a couple of sprouting potatoes.  My first thought was what can I make with these last two potatoes?  But  it is March, I looked outside, thought about it, and went on outside.  How long does it really take to plant a few potatoes?  I had cut them into pieces so each had at least one eye.  I cleared the weedy overgrowth from along the fence and turned over the soil in six or so spots and planted the pieces.  It probably took ten minutes in all.  Minor success in a world of unfinished projects and goals.

   Normally I am more inclined to set aside those potatoes with the intention of planting them when I " do the garden project".   How many times does a project get put off until it is a last minute rush or not done at all?  For me, too often so I am surrounded by bits and pieces of projects waiting to be done.

    David Allen of "Getting Things Done" fame recommends performing a task if it takes two minutes or less to finish and if it takes more time, then put it on your to-do list . (That is a major oversimplification of a small part of his plan.)  But I am finding with myself, that the best laid plans often lack motivation or discipline to start or finish.  So I try to grab any spark of encouragement I can to get some things done I may not really look forward to doing.

   Therefore I may change my personal guideline to 10-15 minutes instead of 2.  If I can accomplish a task that has been brought to my attention in 15 minutes, instead of put it off, I think I shall get more accomplished.  Obviously this won't work when you are in the midst of an important project, but for much of our daily routine, a ten minute timeout here and there will increase productivity rather than side rail us too much.

  Frugal-wise I have invested ten minutes and two old potatoes, with the potential gain of several pounds of new potatoes.  Also I cleared the kitchen of  two bits of counter clutter without turning them into garbage.  A frugal and environmentally sound ten minutes.