Who is the frugalist person that you know?

**Shell** · 05-30-2004, 09:21 PM

Out of all the people you have met, who would you say is the most frugal? What do they do to be sooooooooo frugal? Enquiring minds want to know.

**Early Bird** · 05-31-2004, 02:51 AM

I had a neighbor in suburbia who was frugal in a way that wasn't immediately obvious -- her teenagers dressed fashionably; they had a big house; etc.

But ...

When my heating bill was around $210, hers was $130. She spent many, many hours shopping sales for gifts and clothes. (JC Penney's had great sales once or twice a year.) She made a duplicate wedding cake for her parents' anniversary. For her daughter's wedding, she's hosting it in her home -- and making the food herself. She cuts her daughters' hair; also perms and streaks it. And ...

She used to be a dental hygeniest. So she cleans her family's teeth at home!

**guest2** · 05-31-2004, 01:27 PM

It would have to be my dear "adopted" Grandma Ann who is now in Heaven. Grandma Ann was in her 90's when she died and had lived through the Great Depression. Her family immigrated from Canada when she was a girl. She told me of picking summer fruit fishing, hunting and canning or drying it for the long winters in Manitoba. When she married, her husband built them a home and a greenhouse for all her plants. She'd start her seedlings in there and they would thrive! She and her hubby also planted fruit trees and bushes along with beautiful flowering plants in their yard. They had a huge garden together and she tried to do it on her own after he passed away until she ended up in a wheelchair. She'd make quilts out of old clothing and scrap materials for her family. Eventually people began to give her fabrics and she'd make quilts to sell for the Christian Ladies Aid group at church. I remember her teaching me how to tie quilts and spending hours doing it with the other ladies. She taught me about gardening in this area, canning, wildcrafting, and many ways to stretch your money. I miss her so much!

**Missy** · 05-31-2004, 01:53 PM

I don't know any frugal people here where I live. And with the exception of the ladies here, I would have to say my grandmother. She can really make a little go a long long way.

**Mom23boys** · 05-31-2004, 02:02 PM

I would have to say my grandmother. She taught me how to stockpile, though I didn't really start until a few years back. The idea was always there.

BUT I want to add all of the wonderful ladies here on the board. You all give so many great ideas!

**AmyBoz** · 06-01-2004, 08:43 AM

With the exception of you all, I don't know anyone else who is frugal!

**PrairieRose** · 06-01-2004, 09:00 AM

Both of my grandmothers were frugal to the nth degree. Like Debbie mentioned they could make quilts out of worn out clothes, cook from free food (and one of them fed a family of 10 that way!), stretch everything until it was gone. I remember seeing my Granny B. use old bread bags until she'd washed them so many times the colored writing was off of them and they would get kinda "stiff". She never bought a baggie in her life. They both lived through the depression and always worked to make do with what they had. It's amazing when I think back about the things they did without, even after they were able to have them. I wish I had some of their tips and ideas on paper now.

**simplemom** · 06-01-2004, 09:33 AM

I would say my paternal grandfather's second wife....I didn't realize back then when I was small, but now I think back and remember how she would find things people through out, clean them, fix them and sold them for much more. She would reuse about anything, she made big, big gardens and I remember once going to a farmer's market with her as a little girl and she told to help her squeeze in as much red peppers in a barrel...it was almost over flowing and it was one price for the barrel. lol

Today, the most frugal poeple I know is all you here, my friends.

**graci42** · 06-01-2004, 09:37 AM

My Mother! She taught me the many uses of Duct Tape...how to repair and make do with what you have on hand.

I watched her go w/o in order to make sure we girls had what we needed. Because of her I appreciate the things I do have today.

I remember what an outhouse is.
I remember bathing in a creek or a galvanized wash tub.
I rememer carrying water for the garden from the creek over the hill cause the well wouldn't support the extra use in the summer.
I remember fresh milk.
I remember Mother making butter.
I remember homemade gifts.

I'm only 37 and I have my Mother to thank for the best gift of all...frugality and appreciation for what God has given me.

PS.. I remember her trusty ringer washer and clothes dry'n on the line, too.

**captclearance** · 06-01-2004, 06:24 PM

The ladies are here are in a league of their own.
Except for my Sister Robin (mrscornbread) and Denise (sunshine)
(Both members here) I don't have any frugal friends. I am somewhat of a joke to some of them...... I'm laughing all the way to the bank though. They don't have 2 nickels to rub together the day after payday..... Robin is not new to being frugal, although stockpiling is somewhat new for her. She's doing an awesome job !
BUT Denise amazes me. She is so resourceful ! She is so frugal (not to be confused with stingy) so giving and generous at the same time........ She is my Guru !!!!!!!!!

**rumrunnergirl** · 06-04-2004, 08:13 PM

I am new here and don't know anyone, so I'd have to say I'm the most frugal person I know. I once had a boss who told me I was "cheap" because I wouldn't go to happy hour after work (when I was single) unless they served free food too. But I told him "I make X dollars per week, and my bills and what I want to do come to X cubed, so I gotta stretch my money!" A raise would have been nice though, LOL.

I wish I knew some frugal people IRL, it would be fun to have someone to chat with about saving. I live in a pretty high-end area, and most people I know just go out and buy what they want, take the kids out to pizza or Mc'D's after every play group, pay for day care, shop all the sales at Target, etc., while I pack lunches and we shop thrift stores and Save-A-Lot. (which I love, I'm not complaining). I need some compadres.

Melanie

**BlessedMommy** · 06-04-2004, 10:16 PM

I would have to say that my grandpa is the most frugal person I know. He immigrated to the States from Holland in 1947. He and grandma were never too proud to do any kind of job. He can make something out of just about anything. One time he built a large shed for some of his farm equipment by purchasing used doors at an auction. It cost him way less than lumber would have and once the doors were covered with the aluminum siding you would never know! He is going to be 89 in July and he still grows most of his own produce (none of us will eat what he cans, however, as we're not sure about the safety of it! We think his system is immune to anything!) If something electrical isn't being used, it is unplugged. He and grandma used to only turn the hot water heater on for Saturday baths and laundry day. The rest of the week they would heat the dishwater on the stove. He rigged up his own garden irrigation system using old garden hoses hooked together. My parents think it is hideous, but I think grandpa was pretty creative! My grandpa is not only frugal, but he is also extremely generous. I remember he and grandma delivering soup to the shut ins when I was younger. If someone needed a ride, he would give it to them. The list of charities he contributes to is long. When it comes to his own needs he can be tightfisted, but when it comes to others, he is the model of generosity.