We all know the economy is struggling, which means we're
all trying to pinch those pennies, and stretch that dollar until it screams for
mercy. Therefore, it doesn't matter who you are, or
what your financial status is - everyone is struggling financially, so don't
kid yourself or your friends. Just because there isn't a lot of money to splurge
on extravagant items, doesn't mean you have to go without everyday necessities.
It also doesn't mean just because times are tough you have to sit in a darkened
room without feeding or entertaining yourself. We just need to think
strategically and make smart decisions before we spend a dollar on something we
really don't need to survive. Life is too short to have a dull life, let's make
it a little more interesting and exciting while keeping it fresh and alive.
Over the last year, I have been asked the same
question over and over again, "How can you provide three gourmet meals a
day, (4 adults) plus supply the house with cleaning supplies and paper goods,
while maintaining a strict budget of $400 per month?" My answer is always the
same, you can do it too, if only you'd take the time to do what I do - shop strategically.
So, after being pestered by so many
friends and fans, I have finally agreed to pen my vast knowledge into what I
hope will be a fun-filled blog. Patience
and relearning the basics is the key to shopping strategically my friends.
Living the frugal life doesn't mean you're poor,
down and out, or just getting by. On the contrary, living frugal means you're
intelligent and making the right choices in order to save money. Saving money
for that long overdue vacation, that new car, or a new heating/AC system for
the house is the ultimate goal. Pick your large purchase and let's start saving
for it. After a few weeks of sharing my knowledge, you will have found you're
saving money, wasting less, and begin to enjoy life more fully. You will also
be helping your local economy and infrastructure within your community.
How did I become such an expert on frugal living you
might be asking? I was taught the basics as a young child, but as with all
children who grew up and went out on their own, we knew it all, so why listen
to the parents. I made the mistakes over the first part of my young life, then
I got older and started to see where my parents were right. (Just don't ever
tell them I admitted that please.)
My parents grew up during the Great Depression where
frugal living was not just a necessity, but the only way to survive. During the
Depression basic necessities were hard to find, or they were rationed to ensure
the supply lasted longer. When people think of the Great Depression they
think of hardship, people living on the streets, in cardboard shanties, or without
food to survive. Yes, many people did live like that because they lost
everything after the Stock Market Crash of 1929, and jobs were scarce. However,
everyone survived by reverting back to the old ways of living - frugal living -
budgeting, household management, being creative in the kitchen to stretch that
food, while also making their own clothes. All these techniques and cost
savings have been slowly lost from our minds, due to the hurried lives we allow
ourselves to endure each day. So, slow down, smell the roses, sip a cup of tea
and relax for a few minutes while you read this blog.
The most important knowledge I can share with you
today is that unless you are disciplined and willing to learn, I can't help
you. Many changes will be needed in order for you to adapt to a new system of
doing things. Reorganization and strategic planning will also be necessary in
order for you to have the gratification of reaching your goal of living frugal.
Trust me when I tell you it was very hard for me to switch my behavior, so
you're not alone.
What type of information will be shared here at Potpourri
of Frugality? This blog will be a variety of personal passions: gourmet
cooking, household management and organization, buying in bulk, gardening and
entertaining, money saving tips and tricks, to whatever crosses our mind that we
believe should be shared with all of you. Each week we will pick a topic of
interest, then share various aspects of that topic with you. Also, we will share
a few of our favorite recipes from basic to gourmet style so you can try them
out on your family and friends. Yes, we will include pictures to ensure you
know what the end product should look like.
Depending on the topic, a blog post might be short
or long, but no matter what, it will be educational and worth your coming back
for more each day. The goal is to help
you save money on that household budget, while enjoying the diversity of
information from things you already know, to the things you never even dreamed
about knowing. You see, we love trivia, history, and traveling, therefore, we
plan to throw in a bit of that along the way too. So let's get started:
What does Potpourri really mean? Potpourri means a
collection of things, usually flowers, herbs, spices, and other things. Therefore, it is appropriate
to use this in the title of this new blog. We plan to give you a collection of
various topics and culinary delights to entice your taste buds to explore new
dishes, foods, cultures and experiences.
What does Frugality really mean? According to
Webster's Dictionary, "Frugality is the expenditure of money or resources
with extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend money
unnecessarily." This in itself is
what this blog is all about, reluctance to spend money unnecessarily, while
maintaining a quality of living within your means.
Together we will explore various culinary delights,
save money when shopping strategically for the ingredients, maintaining a well
stocked pantry, and reaping the rewards of growing your own garden and so many other
things. We hope you will come back over and over again to gain more knowledge
and frugal living tips and tricks.
Betty
Betty
NEXT Segment: Kitchen Organization: The Inventory of your Pantry
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