Comments on: Work to get what you want http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/05/31/work-to-get-what-you-want/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:22:58 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Joan http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/05/31/work-to-get-what-you-want/comment-page-1/#comment-21119 Joan Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:18:52 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/?p=261#comment-21119 We are one of those couples who easily gets by without a microwave. However, we have to have a washer. And I could go with using the dryer maybe half of the time. Other ways we save: buy used whenever possible. I was in Radioshack the other day to buy a cord to hook up an old ergonomic keyboard to my new computer at work. The keyboard had cost $2 at a garage sale and the cord was $16. The clerk wanted to know why I would want to use my old one, and didn't I want a NEW one? I said nope, don't want a new one. I don't buy new just to have it, and besides, mine works perfectly. Why would I throw it in the trash just because it's old? He didn't seem to have an answer for that one. We are one of those couples who easily gets by without a microwave. However, we have to have a washer. And I could go with using the dryer maybe half of the time.

Other ways we save: buy used whenever possible. I was in Radioshack the other day to buy a cord to hook up an old ergonomic keyboard to my new computer at work. The keyboard had cost $2 at a garage sale and the cord was $16. The clerk wanted to know why I would want to use my old one, and didn’t I want a NEW one? I said nope, don’t want a new one. I don’t buy new just to have it, and besides, mine works perfectly. Why would I throw it in the trash just because it’s old? He didn’t seem to have an answer for that one.

]]> By: Sara Noel http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/05/31/work-to-get-what-you-want/comment-page-1/#comment-21101 Sara Noel Sat, 31 May 2008 15:51:23 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/?p=261#comment-21101 Hi Marti, It's mostly an open ended question on what could you live without if you had to. Larger changes vs. the smaller changes frugality often focuses on. For example, there was a time in my life I didn't have an oven or a stove. I used my crockpot, outdoor gas grill, electric frying pan and sometimes a toaster oven. When our refrigerator died, instead of running out and buying on credit, we bought a mini fridge and got by with that. During power outages, we've used coolers in the summer and tossed things in the backyard snowbanks during winter. There are manual washers such as the Wonder Wash and let's face it: the world got by without washing machines for a long time. Also, many people feel strongly about not using microwave ovens. They get along just fine. The point is, of course, many people don't want to give up modern conveniences (I'm quite attached to my freezer), but when push comes to shove, they could. Many wouldn't give up much and then they sit like a frog in boiling water. I'm not suggesting anyone continue this longterm unless they choose to, but if you needed to, you should be willing to sacrifice. There are options to bucking up and each person makes their own decisions. Personally, I'd prefer exercising a little self-reliance. But, I fully understand that some people such as the elderly or disabled, wouldn't find this a viable option. Some of their independence relies on these conveniences. Lastly, I'm not advocating stepping back into a different era. Against popular belief, I'm not extreme about frugality or self-reliance. What I am passionate about is helping people to help themselves. Frugality gets a bad reputation for being all about the small stuff like baggie washing and pinching pennies, so I say OK, would you rather make 1 large change as suggested above, or a few smaller changes. :D And you know, folks with healthy finances will view some of what I have to say as being TOO frugal. But try telling that to a family that's scraping by and experiencing hardship. I'm far from a cheapskate, but frugality empowered me and I hope it can do the same for others. OK I've rambled. Thanks for visiting. :D Hi Marti,
It’s mostly an open ended question on what could you live without if you had to. Larger changes vs. the smaller changes frugality often focuses on. For example, there was a time in my life I didn’t have an oven or a stove. I used my crockpot, outdoor gas grill, electric frying pan and sometimes a toaster oven. When our refrigerator died, instead of running out and buying on credit, we bought a mini fridge and got by with that. During power outages, we’ve used coolers in the summer and tossed things in the backyard snowbanks during winter. There are manual washers such as the Wonder Wash and let’s face it: the world got by without washing machines for a long time. Also, many people feel strongly about not using microwave ovens. They get along just fine.

The point is, of course, many people don’t want to give up modern conveniences (I’m quite attached to my freezer), but when push comes to shove, they could. Many wouldn’t give up much and then they sit like a frog in boiling water. I’m not suggesting anyone continue this longterm unless they choose to, but if you needed to, you should be willing to sacrifice. There are options to bucking up and each person makes their own decisions. Personally, I’d prefer exercising a little self-reliance.

But, I fully understand that some people such as the elderly or disabled, wouldn’t find this a viable option. Some of their independence relies on these conveniences.

Lastly, I’m not advocating stepping back into a different era. Against popular belief, I’m not extreme about frugality or self-reliance. What I am passionate about is helping people to help themselves.

Frugality gets a bad reputation for being all about the small stuff like baggie washing and pinching pennies, so I say OK, would you rather make 1 large change as suggested above, or a few smaller changes.

:D

And you know, folks with healthy finances will view some of what I have to say as being TOO frugal. But try telling that to a family that’s scraping by and experiencing hardship. I’m far from a cheapskate, but frugality empowered me and I hope it can do the same for others.

OK I’ve rambled. Thanks for visiting. :D

]]> By: Marti Stanley http://www.frugalvillage.com/2008/05/31/work-to-get-what-you-want/comment-page-1/#comment-21100 Marti Stanley Sat, 31 May 2008 14:41:14 +0000 http://www.frugalvillage.com/?p=261#comment-21100 A friend of mine sent me a link to this blog thinking I would enjoy it. I have to say, the timing for this article is perfect. Most of what you've mentioned above, we have already incorporated into our lives. And my husband and I were discussing other possibilities just yesterday. I have to ask, and forgive my ignorance, but what are the alternatives for appliances? I understand the dryer, but the others I am afraid, I don't understand. Thank you for your time and keep up the good work! A friend of mine sent me a link to this blog thinking I would enjoy it. I have to say, the timing for this article is perfect. Most of what you’ve mentioned above, we have already incorporated into our lives. And my husband and I were discussing other possibilities just yesterday. I have to ask, and forgive my ignorance, but what are the alternatives for appliances? I understand the dryer, but the others I am afraid, I don’t understand.

Thank you for your time and keep up the good work!

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