photo by nutmeg
Use it up. Wear it out. Make do. Do without. It’s a sign of the times. Unless of course, you’ve been a smart, frugal cookie all along. But if this is all new to you, you might be able to use a few tips on how to take care of what you have so you can avoid rushing out to buy something new. No. 1 tip: Stay home. Challenge yourself to simply stay out of stores for a while. If you need something, check secondhand sources. Don’t let anyone convince you to spend money you don’t have to buy stuff you don’t need. Frugal people aren’t anti-consumers. We’re simply wise spenders who detest wastefulness. How do you resist temptation to buy something new? How do you prolong the life of what you own?

Here are a few ways.
SHOES: Clean and polish your shoes. Shoe polish: Remember that stuff? A Mr. Clean magic eraser or old toothbrush can do wonders on sneakers, too. Wadded newspaper inserted into your shoes or a shoe tree will help shoes keep their shape.

APPLIANCES: Keep them clean. Replace filters and vacuum coils, and pull them away from the walls for efficiency. Consider repairing appliances before replacing them. Keep the owner’s manuals for reference purposes.

CLOTHING: Learn basic skills such as stain removal, following clothing-care instructions, sewing buttons and simple mending. Air-dry clothing when possible. Instead of tossing out clothing, try to find ways to reuse the material. Have a simple wardrobe. Ten basic pieces can be mixed and matched to achieve a different look. One reader, Cindy T. in Oregon, says: “We wear our good clothes out in public. When we get home, we (including the parents) change into play clothes (stained clothes that aren’t acceptable to wear in public). When my husband’s dress shirts get too worn for him to wear to work, I wear them at home.”

LINENS: Worn bath towels and sheets can be cut into smaller sections and used as dust and cleaning rags.

FURNITURE: This really applies to anything, but keep it clean. Tend to spills immediately so stains don’t set. Rotate your cushions so they wear evenly. Vacuum upholstery. Move your furniture to prevent carpet wear and sun fading. Achieve a home makeover simply by rearranging what you already own. Periodically move accessories from tables, too. If your couch is a little worn, add a slipcover.

FOOD: Use up leftovers. Look through your pantry and freezer, and start using older ingredients before buying more. Start a pantry inventory. You’ll waste less if you’re rotating your food.

RESPECT: Look for ways to value the amount of work it takes to make money. Wasting as little as possible is a way to honor the time you’ve spent earning that income. Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have. Consider the importance of learning and practicing at least some self-sufficiency — not out of fear but practical preparedness. Look out for yourself. Who else is going to?

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