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Am interested in why folks are frugal. Was it the way you were raised? Was it something you adopted along the road of life - why (if you want to share)?
If you're in a relationship, is the other person frugal? Frugal in ways you are not? Not frugal at all? Thinks you're crazy? What about your family?
Are you frugal to save money, live a simpler life, or ??
I'll start:
Got my start reading "Your Money or Your Life" then started trying to simplify my life, rid of myself of unneeded, unused "stuff".
Then in 2003, I *finally* admitted to my disabilities and filed for full disability. For the first few months, all I had was $110 in food stamps. Then, with the help of my Congressman, I was awarded general welfare, a queenly $237/month. I was rich! Through some unknown amazing, incredible blessing, my landlords waived rent that year. So was able to keep food on my table, gas in the car, and the lights on. The phone company had a program into which they enrolled me, whereby they don't charge for the very basic phone service until the disability award comes in and then they expect you to pay the amount in arrears.
Now, I'm frugal because I am unable to take on any parttime job and wish to stretch each penny to its best value. Am also trying to live an elegant, creative, joyful life. Example: got rid of all the old, tacky plates/saucers, etc.; went to Goodwill and bought *real* china. Decided life is too short not to eat on real china!
Some of my frugal ways include: no TV (and not just for $$ reasons); almost totally exclusively library use for books, DVDs; still have the very basic phone service (allows calls *only* within the city limits; I qualify because I *have* to be able to call 911) which leads to dial-up service -- it's slower, but hey where am I going? Unless one of my neighbors has a crisis and needs a ride somewhere, I only drive on Tuesday and Friday -- and am *quite* thankfull I do not have to commute to a job! Am FreeCycle's biggest booster.
Final question: would you/do you recommend frugality to others? Do you find yourself wondering about the level of consumerism in our society?
Thanks! Look forward to your replies (please reply!) jo/nm
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