Are you a frugalista????

I read about a trio of young ladies on the Daily Mail website just today Ruby. What concerns me is that these people are seen as slightly odd. We have to come to terms with the fact that belts need to be tightened and that the "easy" money days are coming to an end - how long for I don't know. I blame the greedy bankers for all this. personally we have gone from a very healthy income to one that is barely above the national average. But it is above it all the same. We don't have champagne, oysters or caviar with every meal, but with what i grow (not much this year) and my thrifty shopping expeditions, we are certainly living quite well and without noticeable hardship. Mind you, we never were ones for posh cars, summers in the Maldives and skiing in Vermont. A cottage in Cumbria did us nicely and although I do have a hybrid car that cost a bit, we are not extravagant in our habits there either. Oh, our new bathroom has a very water saving cistern. I think that a full flush is only 6 litres. Normally a half flush does the job.

There are a lot of things that I do. I don't charge things on a credit card. I own one but that is only for emergencies and I've never, ever used it. I think it's insane that people buy things just because they have a credit card and can charge it. I rarely buy new clothes unless I really need them. I turn off the lights when I can even though I don't pay the bills just yet because it all adds up and is really quite expensive, especially with everything rising in prices.

I think this is a great idea! I am not so much a frugalista but I love a good deal. I am also super enviornmentally conscience. I recycle everything. I bring my own mug for coffee. I try to eat organically and local grown stuff. I'm excited because we just started a local farmers market in my city. My family always likes to give things to each other and trade. If we really can't find a use for something anymore we donate it to the SPCA thrift store.

I suppose, if a frugalista is defined as turning one's back on an extravagant lifestyle and, then I would be one. I'd rather cut my own tongue out than describe myself as one though! It's one of those stupid terms that's been coined because being frugal and environmentally aware is currently 'fashionable'. If it stopped being fashionable tomorrow, I bet most of these so called 'frugalistas' would be straight back in Sainsburys ready meals aisle.

I look into my purse and see whats there then I decide how far it has to go,then I look into my purse again,and it just wont go around.But im frugal to the point where I couldnt be anymore frugal.I use everything that I buy,I very rarely waste,and all left overs are used in some way or other.

If that is the definition of frugalista, then I must me one. I only use a credit card or spend money for that matter, when it is absolutely necessary. We normally look for bargain or sale items so save and also turn off everything that consumes electricity when not in use.:)

I wouldnt not say i was judgig that that discription, we don't have a back garden big enough to grow our own food (but we would like to and may well do so if we get to move house!) and i would not share my clothes with friends because i don't have that many female friends and the ones i do would not be the same dress size as me. Instead i sell my old clothes to buy new ones. I don't buy anyting on credit though, never have, i have never once used my one and only credit card.

I always have been that way, but now for the first time, apparently it is in style (that is obvious since it has been given a name). I also shop at consignment shops, give and receive hand-me-down clothes and toys for children, and wait for clearance sales to shop. I never go to the salon for a manicure, I cut my child's and my husband's hair myself, and trade babysitting and other favors. I not only grow food, but I can some of it, freeze some, and make jelly from homegrown grapes. I bring my own bags to the grocery store to save 3 cents per, make curtains from sheets, blankets from old shirts and sweaters, and cut off ripped jeans for shorts. I turn off lights, hang clothes to dry when I can, and reuse dryer sheets for dusting. All of these things not only help save money, but are environmentally friendly, too. Oh, and I never, ever buy a new appliance until the old one stops working.

That's interesting - a new name for what I've been doing for years - and that my mother and grandmother did before me! It's also what our ancestors before that did and how the pioneers who settled our country lived. I raise a garden and can and freeze vegetables. I raise and find fruit to can, freeze or make into jams and jellies - often using wild fruits and berries that I find in the woods or fields. I raise chickens that provide us with the eggs we use - as well as providing eggs to three other families in the neighborhood. We raise cattle for our own meat and purchase pork, turkey and chicken to eat from neighbors who raise them. Our water comes from a artesian well, and our sewer system is independent of any city facilities as we live in the country. We dispose of our trash on our own so we don't pay for trash services either. I shop for clothing at a second hand consignment shop and take what clothes I no longer want or need there to sell. We have one credit card with a very minimal limit that is used for emergencies only and is then paid off immediately. We do not have a house payment, car payments, or any other installment payments. Because of this frugal lifestyle, this past fall my husband was able to take a job doing something he's always wanted, and I was able to completely quit work. I was always taught that it was a virtue to be frugal and that to live beyond one's means was a bad thing. It is sad that is taking a "credit crunch" to wake people up that it is not in their est interest to be dependent on credit to live a lifestyle that they can't afford.

I am very pleased to know this. If it is a growing trend that is excellent news. I am always saddened to see many young women who think life is all about shopping for new clothes and spending a lot of money on drinking and smoking. I would grow my own food if I had access to some land. I buy all my clothes and books from charity shops. I use as little water and electricity as possible and I don't have a television.

Frugal things i do are: Use sand with baking soda instead of cat litter Buy clothing at second hand, thrift or salvation army stores Shop for items only on sale I unplug anything not in use...things draw power even if they arent on i leave everything off when im not home bottle filled with sand in the water tank of the toilet I make a "homemade" laundry detergent Garden! Get books from others to read and pass them on. Use the library often recycling pop bottles - i also pick them up in the ditches when i go for a walk. Garage sales! Theres other things i do but off the top of my head right now i cant think of more

I wouldn't say I was a frugalista, I love some of my luxuries too much- like trips to Lush. However I am very cautious when it comes to money and I only purchase what I csn afford. I wouldn't swap clothes with friends as I don't have any who are my size, however I am a bargain hunter and usually pick up wonderful things at a very small price. I am very good at budgeting and do try to not be wasteful. I love to make things and rarely buy gifts- I always make cards and have saved a lot of money over the years by doing this. I have started keeping a spending diary and it is a good way of watching how you spend and to think before buying things. As I now record everything I spend, I don't buy as much.

Some of us old women have been doing this sort of stuff for years - we just did it without it having a fancy name =o)

im not sure what i am.. not high maintenance tho lol

This morning we were being very good here,we took the tea leaves from the teapot and spread them onto the garden,they make good plant food,so we always tend to do it.We also get a bucket or two of horse manure given to us from a neighbour,this feeds the roses well .