Are you really about the frugal life? Often people are frustrated by even the thought of being “frugal.” To some, frugal and thrifty are associated with lack, cheap, time-consuming tasks, and other negative stereotypes. Many who frown upon being thrifty also struggle to save money and stay organized. Given the way the word has been portrayed in the media, I can certainly understand the negativity. The extreme tactics that some people choose (i.e. dumpster diving for dinner and saving used noodle water to bathe with), are just that…EXTREME. Most people who consider themselves frugal would never consider going to such extremes (myself included). These extreme tactics add more problems than they solve!
Frugal living is really about setting goals and meeting them efficiently. It is to be a good steward of precious resources.
We all have a limited amount of time, money and energy. My goal is to show people how to use these resources in order to add value to their lives. Here are a few things that being thrifty has added to my life:
Frugal Simplicity
Thinking positively about being thrifty inspires me to keep clutter, excess and impulses to a minimum. My positive frugal mindset inspires me to have an organized home so that I can quickly assess what I have, and what I need.
Time Savings
How much time do you spend looking for things like keys, or that jar of salsa (which you are sure you bought last week and shoved in the back of your overflowing cabinet)? A HUGE part of being frugal is ORGANIZATION, which saves time. Another aspect of being frugal is mindfully planning to accomplish tasks (i.e. prepping and freezing multiple meals at once) so that you can ultimately save time in the future.
Awareness
Thinking positively about being thrifty goes hand in hand with awareness of your household needs. With that awareness, you can look for opportunities to meet needs your family’s needs in better and more economical ways. For example, if you have a daughter who has skin sensitivities, you could research ways to make laundry detergent that gets the job done for pennies.
Knowledge
The knowledge and wisdom you gain from learning to do tasks in and around your own home is invaluable. You will still need to pay someone else to do or make some things. However, many times, you can put your own knowledge and labor to work for yourself. Knowledge truly is power. Learning to cook, grow a garden, and sew (just to name a few) are all PRICELESS skills that I am learning on my journey of being frugal.
If you view this word from a positive vantage point, one in which you ultimately GAIN something of value, you will easily see that frugal is not such a bad word after all.
What do you think? Why does the term frugal have a negative stereotype? Leave your comment below!
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Calculate Your Savings and Goddess Vibes are Lizalyn Smith’s important new books.
In Calculate Your Savings, Lizalyn shares the frugal and thrifty strategies that help her get the most out of the food and household products she uses in her home. What sets this book apart from the crowd is that it doesn’t simply list ways to be frugal, it shows you how to determine which of the countless frugal strategies are best for you to put into practice. This book is filled with the tools that she uses, and her experiences in using them. She shows you how you can determine the best ways for you to save money in YOUR home today!
In Goddess Vibes, Lizalyn focuses on empowering women of all ages to allow their femininity to flourish through practical strategies that will help to find balance in home, diet, and body. Femininity and elevated feminine essence are highly coveted attributes that money simply cannot buy. When allowed to thrive, they inspire life, love, and abundance. This book details the roadmap that Lizalyn has taken to create the life of her dreams, and it can transform your life.
Both books are available in e-book and paperback forms on www.amazon.com
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