| What is frugality? The dictionary definition of | | | | 38-ounce size at $2.19, it will cost $1.19, or 3.1 |
| frugal: "Practicing or marked by economy, as in | | | | cents per ounce. But if you buy the 18-ounce size |
| the expenditure of money or the use of material | | | | at $1.19, it will cost you 19 cents, or a bit over a |
| resources." People think of it as simply being | | | | penny per ounce - a third of the cost. Buy small |
| "cheap," in the fashion of Ebeneezer Scrooge. I | | | | sizes when coupons are doubled. |
| see it as the practice of getting the most for | | | | Look for any other promotions you can take |
| one's money, without giving up anything important. | | | | advantage of. If your favorite shampoo goes on |
| It may surprise people to know that I buy the | | | | sale, buy enough for the next six months. |
| cheapest t-shirts and yet pay to have someone | | | | Stocking up on non-perishables during sales can |
| mow the lawn. But the shirt does the same job | | | | cut the cost of your household supplies |
| as the expensive ones, and my time is worth | | | | dramatically. |
| more to me than what I pay for mowing. That's | | | | 3. Find Alternatives |
| getting the most for my money, and I sacrifice | | | | Often there are cheaper options that can replace |
| nothing for this kind of frugality. Of course, I get | | | | what you think you need. Certainly this is true in |
| a good deal on the lawn work too. Here are three | | | | the case of generic prescription drugs and |
| ways to spend less and still get what you want. | | | | store-brand foods. But even in area where you |
| 1. Look For Free Things | | | | think you have no alternatives, look again. Let's |
| I once got free dental x-rays from the dental | | | | use car insurance as an example. |
| hygienist program at a local college. Other dental | | | | You might have found the cheapest company to |
| schools will x-ray your mouth for free or at a | | | | buy your insurance from, and so you think that is |
| reduced charge, if you have the patience to sit | | | | the best you can do. However, the various |
| there while the instructor coaches the student | | | | companies are not the only alternatives you have. |
| through the process. You then get your x-rays to | | | | You could still lower the premiums by raising the |
| take to the dentist, saving you the cost of that | | | | deductible, for example. After all, if you really can't |
| part of the visit anyhow. | | | | afford the first $500 of an accident, maybe you |
| One of the prettiest campgrounds my wife and I | | | | should rearrange your financial life rather than pay |
| have stayed at was Williams Landing, on Lake | | | | for expensive ways to avoid the responsibility of |
| Talquin in Florida - and it was free for up to ten | | | | setting aside a bit of money. If you pay cash for |
| days. There are free campgrounds scattered | | | | an older car, you can also decline collision |
| across the country. Woodall's campground | | | | coverage. |
| directory lists most of the campgrounds in the | | | | Frugality can mean being an opportunist too. This |
| country, including ones which don't charge. | | | | is especially true when looking for alternatives. For |
| I got my tires rotated for free a couple years | | | | example, it almost certainly isn't true that only |
| ago. I don't recall the name of the chain of tire | | | | one specific place will suit you for a vacation, so |
| shops, but this is their normal policy. It is amazing | | | | why not look at the offers and plane fares for |
| how many things you can get for free if you | | | | several destinations you would enjoy? Then pick |
| keep your eyes open. | | | | the cheapest one. You may spend half as much, |
| 2. Take Advantage Of Promotions | | | | have twice the fun (who knows?) and have |
| We regularly use coupons for restaurants in our | | | | money left over for other important goals. |
| small town. Several of them have "Buy a meal, | | | | Again, frugality isn't about self-sacrifice and |
| get the second one for half off" deals in the | | | | miserable "cheapness." It is about spending less, |
| paper every week. We eat at these places | | | | and when you do that, you can have even more |
| anyhow, so it is a true savings when we use a | | | | of what you truly need and want. Every piece of |
| coupon to save $5. | | | | used furniture we buy, which looks the same as a |
| Speaking of coupons, if any of the stores in your | | | | new piece but costs half as much, means we get |
| area double them, here is how you take | | | | the same comfort at home and money left over |
| advantage of it: Suppose you have a 50-cent | | | | for another day of travel (you pick what's |
| coupon for dish detergent. If the store is doubling | | | | important to you). |
| it, you'll get a dollar off. Now, if you buy the | | | | |