Frugal Lifestyle: I'm Living Cheap, And Loving It!
90Everyday Is A Budget Day When You're Frugal
I am a frugaholic....and my name is Sharon (aka, imatellmuva). Looking for and finding deals is exciting to me. I haven't resorted to the potted meat...yet!
My Grandmother used to say, "Life is about Living!" Well...I'm doing just that, but not actually how I hoped, dreamed and planned. I live a frugal life, a life that's absent of the freedom I once had. I have to watch my expenses, consider my next move, and find the scissors so I can clip coupons..."Where are my scissors?!"
Living frugally, which by my life experience is not bad...not too bad. The current economic climate has many people in turmoil. This is understandable, because everyone's ability to maintain a former standard of living is not the same. While it can be challenging for many, it does not necessarily have to be difficult for most. Living a frugal lifestyle is a choice for some, and a means of getting by to others. For me, it's Fundamental+Fulfilling+Fabulous. This equals FRUGALISCIOUS...yeah baby...yeah!!!!!
Finding bargains is not as easy as it once was, but there are still bargains to be found. It can be fun...really! You might have to doctor-up the store brand, but the store brand is actually better than it used to be. I'll shop almost anywhere, but I'm still going to the clearance shelf first.
These are things that I do, and live by, because I'm Frugal And I Love It!:
- It's Mine Now -If you buy it and return it, then I'm going to get it! Thank You!!
- Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory of the...Clearance Shelf!- That's right folks!! If it's discounted, then it wasn't worth the regular retail price anyway!
- It's Smarter To Barter- If you have a talent use it! (I'm talking about decent stuff folks).
- Searching High And Low- ...LOOK WHAT I FOUND!! If you stash something in a store, in hopes to purchase it later, don't bother. I found it, and I'm already at the register getting a discount for it. Teehee!!
- Look Out...Catch - When life throws you lemons, buy limes...they're cheaper.
- Buyer Beware- Sale tags do not always denote a bargain. Do the math! You just might come out cheaper buying another brand. Can't do the math use a calculator...your cell phone has one. Uhm...I have to use mine!
- It's A Trap - Don't fall for the ...you must buy two or more to get the sale price. Now you have all that mayonnaise, and can't make a sandwich!! Buy what you need. If it's going to be on a shelf, let it stay on the Supermarket shelf. That's right!
- Get To Stepp'n - Have your shoes repaired by a shoe cobbler. Stop running to the mall to buy new shoes every time your heels are leaning. I have a shoe cobbler who does a wonderful job, so much so, that I'm unsure if the shoes I pick up are really mine...they look so good...like new! There are shoe cobblers at the mall too...just so you know.
- Thrifty is Nifty- Many people don't like used clothing, but if you slide your armpits and other things (unmentionable) into clothes in a dressing room of a regular retail store, then that item is now USED! I can't always afford my taste, so I have select consignment stores where I shop regularly, and chile' I am styl'n!!!
- High and Dry - I have two very, very nice winter coats that I purchased from a drycleaner. Yup!! Keep taking your items to the drycleaner and forget about them. Drycleaners can't hold your items forever! Just don't get mad if you see me rock'n your stuff! I can't get mad...cause I'm styl'n!!
- Hey Dollar Dollar- Dollar stores of course have cheap items that are only worth a dollar...or less, but often times have buyouts from regular retail stores. Once I hosted a beauty make-over day for my nieces, young cousins and their friends. I went to my local Dollar Tree store and found Bratz make-up bags! That's Right! The bags included nail polish, eyeshadow and lip gloss. Can you say JACKPOT?!
- Are You Going To Eat That? - I can not stand to waste food! So an easy remedy is to turn leftover's from today's dinner into tomorrow's breakfast, and breakfast into lunch and so on. I don't think this will work well if you have soup for dinner though.
- Splish Splash I Was Taking A Bath - I am the water time keeper! With the exception of a trickle of water in the laundry tub during the winter months (avoids pipes from freezing), water use is limited. Five minutes is the limit for a shower, and if shower usage exceeds this limit...let's just say that you'll be clean, but sudsy and ashy!!
- A Cardigan, No A Cable - I only have basic cable. I know......boooooo.....boooooo! But that's okay, my bill is less than $20.00 a month....so there!
- Where's The Phone ? - I don't have a landline. I canceled the service when I realized I was only using the landline to find my cell phone! Thanks Darlene Robinson for the reminder!
- I Just Passed Gas - The Station...!!! I plan my trips so that the stores where I shop are in close proximity. This saves on gas, time and my nerves!!
- Alley Oop - I have a beautiful 33"x45" African painting on my accent wall, that was found...in an alley! Yup!! There's no need to call for a Bulk Trash pick-up! I can be there in five frugal minutes! **disclaimer - Alley shopping, as I call it is not for everyone. I do not recommend this activity. This is just what I do!**
- The Diva Dive - This is a nice term for dumpster diving. Yeah I did it...so!! In a suit and heels too! I was on my way home, taking a short cut behind a shopping center, and drove past a dumpster. I then asked myself, "Was that a wrought iron chair hanging from the side?" I threw the car in reverse, got out (put the car in park first...of course). Lo and behold, there were (4) wrought iron chairs! Hallelujah!!! I got my rope...yup, I keep rope in the car. Strapped them babies on, took them home, then went to Home Depot and bought paint to match the wrought iron railings on my porch. I cleaned the chairs, then painted them...AND I must say they look MARVELOUS!!! **disclaimer - dumpster diving is not for everyone. I do not recommend this activity. This is just what I do!**
These are only a few ways that I live frugally. You may think she's not frugal, she's cheap...and crazy! Call me what you want, but this works for me...it can work for you too...except for the crazy part!!
Check out my other articles. Each provide a means of adding style to your home by repurposing household items and decorating on a limited budget:
- Creative Ways To RePurpose Household Items
Have you ever wondered what to do with that scarf, or that dressing screen? Well, with a little creativity, you now have a table runner and a headboard. You'd be surprised what you can do with items found in... - Decorating With A Little Money And A Lot Of Style
When it comes to home decorating, there are many ideas, and few rules. Make your home comfortable to live in, and friendly to entertain in. Your budget does not have to match your ideas, or your tastes. A...
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Thanks Zinga...I took my suit to the cleaners the next day and had it cleaned for $1.95...AND picked it up the day after! Ya'll not getting my clothes!!
I love it...you are funny as hell but im sure so many woman and men (who may not admit it) can relate. great article keep it coming!
Thanks Mellai! I have no shame to my game...obviously!!
The title caught my eye, because I too am frugal. The information got my laughing.
Thanks ProjectsConsult! Frugalers of the world...UNITE!!!
Nothing wrong with being frugal. Some of the richest people in the world are.
Good Hub!
logic,commonsense I am FRUGALISCIOUS!!
I think it's awesome when people who have lots of money don't live excessively.
Thank You...*bows and curtsies*
Great advice! The story about the chairs makes me feel so much better about many of the decisions I have made over the last couple years!!
SuperManIsDead I am oh so, ever so happy that you enjoyed the hub.
I even have a picture on my accent wall...that I got from an alley! I just painted the frame and it is BANG'N! I can help anyone to feel better with the crap that I'll do! LOL
Thanks for stopping by...awesome of you to share a comment!
Great tips on how to be frugal, Sharon. I love buying used stuff and am not afraid of dumpster diving. My favorite coat was picked out of the trash! I used to dumpster dive at a local florist because I was trying to learn floral arrangement. One cold night, it had started to sleet but I bravely stepped up to look for some thrown away flowers. I slipped on the ice and must have cracked something on the way down, a rib hurt for weeks and so did my heel. Well, I used the little side door now!
LOL this was a funny article. I've totally went dumpster diving before too, although it was years ago.
@Dolores Monet...we are truly Sista's from two different Mista's! I'm sorry to hear about your ribs...ouch!! I do think of the possible danger though, but so far so good!
Hurray for you, that you can go in the side door now! That's even better, and like getting a deal behind Door #3!
@Sunnyglitter...I'm so glad that you enjoyed the hub. When I do these things, I laugh to myself, so it's only natural to bring the humor, that's swimming around in my head to the article. I love alley shopping too! So, if you see a car in your alley, that is suddenly thrown in park and a crazee lady jumps out, don't get alarmed...it's just me!
Excellent article! You're a funny lady! :) Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you too Lene Lynn!!
I'm truly glad that you enjoyed the hub and the humor...I'm sick, I tell ya'...sick!!!
Hiya Sharon, I am frugal too! I always go to the sales bin first when I go shopping, and yes even in a grocery store. I can't buy clothes full price, it's just against my religion. lol Some very good tips here gf. I love them all.
Happy New Year!
Rosie
Rosie's in the house!!!!
There was a time I wouldn't buy dented canned goods from the grocery store clearance shelf. I read that the dents taint the contents. I then thought to myself; when I drop a can, which can be anywhere from 1-10 times BEFORE it makes it in the house, I don't throw the canned good away. So, I save a few cents, which turns into dollars, which turns into more shopping at the clearance rack...hallelujah!
Thanks for reading my hub, and appreciating the tips!
Happy New Year to you too Rosie2010.
I'm back. Just wanted to also say that buying used is a sustainable practice as well as kind to your budget. Buying used clothing, for example, can introduce you to a totally new style. You never know what you will find in a thrift store. When you go into a regular retail store, there seems such a limited quantity of styles. But at a thrift store, the sky is the limit!
I think what you do is exciting. I used to drive around on Garbage day. I found some real treasures (a chest of drawers for instance.) But my other half finds this not so good to his taste and since "stuff" is not nearly as important to me as "he" is I refrain from the garbage trail. But I am frugal in other ways. I just don't tell him. :)
Thank you so much for all of your suggestions. It makes those of us who must be frugal to strengthen with mass approval.
Even the programs who show beauty pagents or the "red carpet" show the audience how they can buy the very same dress "so and so" wore for a fraction of the cost.
Thanks again. I really enjoyed your hub!!
I work is social services... frugality is my life. This is a great HUB because frugal doesn't have to mean boring, cheap or low class. I dive (and yes, I am a diva), spend the first minutes in every store at the clearance aisle, and love consignment shops! Living simply helps too, and lately I've been selling everything I don't love or use regularly. Ahhhhh, freedom!
@Pixienot, we are definitely rowing the same boat! I am actually (almost) surprised at myself, because this is how I grew up. My Father was the Frugal person of the household. When I was younger, I swore, "I'll never, ever, never ever, ever..." And you see where I am!! AND, Lov'n every minute!! I'm glad that you enjoyed the article and that we share a common interest...shopping on garbage day!!
@Chris Simiriglia, "Diva's of the World Unite!" Us Dumpster Diving Diva's that is! Not only do we have style, grace and class, but we got your trash...AND look what we did with it!! It's a pleasure to actually communicate with more people like me. Living frugally just as you said has nothing to do with being cheap (sometimes for me it does) or from a different social class. It is a lifestyle, whether by choice or fate. Either way, it can be fun! Thanks so much for leaving a comment Chris! It's good to hear from you!
I loved this Hub! I Lol at my desk, because I myself have seen a dumpster or two! Thanks for the fan mail, love your stuff!
Thanks ForTheGirlz...Us Dumpster Div'n Diva's are going to change the world and make Debris Divine!
Ms.Frugal...you are a delight indeed! So many great ideas you have. I am loving this. I will use all the tips I have gotten from you today. Some of them I already practice, like the clearance section. I checked it faithfully. Thanks for your great ideas!
Thanks Jeannie...hey you just gave me an idea. I'll call myself, "The Delightful Dumpster Diving Diva"! If we go dumpster diving together, I call 'firstsies', meaning..."I saw it first!"
I'm truly glad that you enjoyed the article, and grateful for the comment.
Great tips here! We only have basic cable too, I love it as most of the times there is nothing to watch so I read a book or write another hub.
Hi Angela- Thanks for your comment. Many people cannot imagine a life without a cable package. But it works great for me and obviously you too! I mean really...you're only paying for the convenience to be able to watch all of those channels. Still...you can only watch one channel at a time...unless of course you have picture-in-picture, AND that's even too much for my frugal world.
Great and wonderful ideas to help us out with frugal living. :)
Congratulations on your Hubnuggets nomination. Be sure to read and cast your vote: http://hubpages.com/_hubnuggets6/hub/Hubnuggets-in
You are a true frugist! I love bargains and won't buy unless it is on sale so perhaps I qualify a bit. Congrats on the hubnugget nomination and good luck.
Thanks Ripplemaker...what a GREAT name! I have an Uncle who once told me, "Gal this suit cost $500.00!" I asked him, "But, how much did YOU pay for it?!" He paid $10.00...can you believe that?? I guess it runs in the family...and we love swapping stories on the deals we found. I'm glad that you enjoyed the article. Thanks for your comment, and the Hubnuggets mention...I didn't even know.
elayne001...I am, I am...I have everything from the dumpster, to the dollar store, to high end, and you would not know the difference. The high-end whooo chile...let's just say I love alleys!!!! AND YOU qualify a lot! Sales are a huge part of being frugal...why I'm tearing up just think'n about a sale!! I am truly grateful for your comment and the HubNuggets mention...I didn't even know!
"Waste not, want not." "A penny saved is a penny earned." All of that applies here.
congrats on your nomination. I thought this was a very entertaining hub and is another frugal person it seemed we might have a lot in common.
You made me laugh!!! Thanks for all the hints you divin diva you. Congrats on Hubnugget nomination.
What a fun article to get the point across about being frugal. Happy to see I'm doing a lot of the tips already. Congrats on your HubNugget nomination. :)
@Ambassadorborn, a penny saved/earned is RIGHT...that's all I got...and boy do I love pennies! Thanks for stopping by!
@Pamela99, Thanks for the HubNuggets mention, AND I am so grateful to meet more frugalfantastic people like myself! Get your frug on...get your frug on...!!!
@Golfgal, I'm glad you got a laugh out of this...if only you saw me in action...chile' you wouldn't know whether to laugh, or dial 911...I hope you just laugh! Thanks for the Hubnuggets mention!
@Money Glitch, I am happy too that you're already doing some of these things. We are f-r-u-galistic....yeah!!! Thanks for the HubNuggets mention!
Congrats on your win and great hub. Cheers.
ladyjane1...thank you...thank you!!!!!
Awesome hub! I am so with you on so many levels of this article! I love your writing style - I feel like you were really talking to me. I can't wait to {find the time to} read more of your articles. I'm gonna follow, because you had me at "frugaholic!"
congrats on your win, great hub and I like your flare for words. The hub was informative, funny, and interesting.
I am with you in being frugal, many of what you do, I do and I love it, you should see the deals I get especially on clothes.
@cheapsk8chick...how cool of a name is that??!!! I actually had that lead paragraph further down in the article, but then bumped it up. Not only is it an attention grabber...it's true...so true! Thank's for you visit and of course your comment!
@jagandelight...I am delighted that you not only enjoyed this article, but that you share in these same activities. Often times people think being frugal is being cheap, but it means so much more. You can actually get so much more because of it.
@ladyjane1, I want to comment to you again, because your comment made me aware that I won (2nd place - still a win) and I didn't even know. I was more than eager to find out where...and how! Thank you so much for stopping by and enjoying my frugalfunfilled antics!
Thanks for putting a smile on my dial today!
Loved reading your very useful and entertaining hub article.
Frugal and Proud :-)
UrsulaRose, I'm glad I could make you smile...I'm smil'n just because you smiled! I'm also glad that you not only enjoyed the articel AND left a comment, but I'm glad to meet yet another frugalfantastic person! Thank You!
I love this article! I am proud to say, "I too am a frugalholic". I am from a generation of dump diggers, clearance shopper,coupon clippers,and weekend garage sale searchers. Thanks for waving the flag... so to speak.
4wardthinker, at first I was happy to join a community of so many great people, but I was DE-LIGHTED to meet people who share the same interests as I! In my circle I am only one of two frugalicious people. It is refreshing...to say the least, to be in the company of more Dumpster Diving Diva's, Coupon Clip'n Chicks and Garage Sale Geisha's!!! I LUV IT!!!
Love the hub! I have also had to make some major cutbacks. My favorite activity is clipping coupons over the weekend. I look forward to my Baltimore Sun's delivery on Saturday morning, which by the way, I have a one year subscription for just one cent. They were desperate for readers and offered it. One cent for a year's worth of coupons and I get to read articles, too. That was a real deal!
Hey Neighbor!!!! The Sun's subscriptions were down due to online news AND their own cut-backs, but theres still nothing like perusing through a newspaper. Have you noticed how thin the paper is? The copuon clipping, while I didn't mention it in this hub is certainly an ideal way to save, especially if an item is also on sale and B-A-M...you are truly loving the word discountT Thanks for stopping by!!
You are frugal and proud of it! You tell it like it is and I like that. It made for a very enjoyable read.
Yes toknowinfo, I'll say it LOUD, "I'm frugal and proud!" I'm glad that you enjoyed the article and left a comment...Thanks a frugalbunch!!!
very nicely written article imatellmuva! Enjoyed your enthusiastic and "be happy with what ever one gets in life", style very much. Of course effort is needed for that and you are ready to do that. That is the spirit.
Thank you soumyasrajan, and my apology for the delayed response! I've almost lived a frugal lifestyle, so it's a little easier for me...most times. When I take my nieces out for the day, I ask them, "What kind of day is today?", and they say in unison, "A budget day!" I'm teaching them early! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Love this!! It made me smile and laugh, too funny! I am a big fan of being frugal, or trying to be more frugal! Times are tight for so many, it seems the wisest way to go. Voted up and funny :D
Thanks oseacnsnsunsets! This hub is the story of my life...well, one of the stories of my life! It's a means of getting by, and supporting my cheapness...I MEAN FRUGALNESS!!!
Hey, I live in Florida after the housing boom crashed. Do you like squirrel stew? You can pick all of the vegetables and herbs for the recipe in a vacant lot. Don't tell Muva, she thinks we are doing fine.
WD Curry 111, I never heard of squirrel stew, and had to look it up. Admittedly no matter how down-trodden I might become, I hope to never eat squirrel nuth'n!
My father is from the south, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he slipped squirrel into a meal for my brothers and I when were kids, and called it steak.
I think I'd rather eat Soylent Green! I won't tell your Muva, but you can certainly tell mine! LOL
Laughed all the way through your hub. You've got your wheels rolling in the right direction. Helpful, funny, refreshing. Thanks for sharing
Thanks megni...I should probably update this hub, cause I recently canceled my cable service...regular tv is just fine for me.
I'm extra frugal now!
You may be insane but that makes me insane too :) I love having a ladies day out and going to thrift stores, The 99c and dollar stores to do my shopping! My husband does the dumpster diving though I am not tall enough :)We have three computer chairs, a 6' long table we can pull out for company (each needed a missing bolt here or there) and some other goodies here and there! I have a gorgeous antique china hutch that someone was giving away since they were moving from Ca to Montana. A brand new still in the plastic formal couch/bed I got for $175.00 at a second hand store (RIP previous owner, well almost everything I own is from a second hand store come to think of it, including my 5 piece $200.00 bedroom set! How about an old cast iron bathtub for $5.00--yep I bought it to match the blue toilet for another $5.00! Nothing wrong with them. So you go girl! GREAT HUB!
WOW Kebennett1 that's a fantastic collection of frugalness at it's finest!!! I LOVE IT!!
I will admit to a bit of jealousy about the cast iron bathtub...ain't that sumth'n?! I would love love to see a pic!!!
You have helped to show that being frugal has many many rewards!!!!
Nearly everything I own is second hand...well, except of course toilet paper!!!
Zinga 16 months ago
I love it and she is not lying about the chairs...LOL! U should see her house...its PURE AWESOMENESS!