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Looking back on frugality 2009

By Sara Noel

Published: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Updated: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 12:16 AM CST

Sara Noel

It's time for a frugal year in review. Financial gurus always encourage you to pay yourself first. This is important. All of the debt-reducing, money-saving strategies and ways to increase your income won't mean much if you don't take care of yourself first. When you reflect upon the past year, what's the most frugal thing you learned?

Here are a few frugal-living highlights to keep in mind.

MOOD MUSIC (sung to the tune of "What a Wonderful World"):

I see stockpiles of foods, and other things too,

The closets are full, the freezer is, too.

And I say to myself ... what a wonderful year.

I see freebies on shelves, coupons in binders,

Gifts ready in closets, and frugal reminders.

And I say to myself ... what a wonderful year.

I see things being used, and less being wasted,

A challenge I couldn't face, yet I have faced it.

An emergency fund to fall back on 'cuz times are now tough,

But I see God's provision and I have enough.

And I say to myself ... what a wonderful year. -- Incognito, New Mexico

TREAT YOURSELF: You shouldn't stop living simply to save money for the future. Enjoy today. One reader, Tisha in Canada, advises: "You cannot restrict yourself too much, or it'll make you feel a little bit resentful toward frugality in general. Allowing yourself some wiggle room without throwing your whole world off-axis is a great way to keep balance in your life. Our wiggle room would have to be to save our big purchases until we really need them and to treat ourselves to the small things often."

APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE: Make use of and enjoy things you already own. Look through your closets, basement or attic, and dust off something you've forgotten about. Maybe it's an old appliance, sewing machine, crafts or decorative item. Is it simply clutter? Sell it, toss it, or donate it. Experience the joy of giving. If you can't donate items or money, volunteer time to a worthy cause. There's always someone worse off.

THE THREE R'S: Continue to look for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.

BACKUP PLAN: If you don't have an emergency fund in place, start one today. Another reader, P.T. in Colorado, adds: "I've learned that an emergency fund and a good stockpile need to be in place at all times. You never know when a storm is coming, which I have learned a lot this year since Murphy has made our house a permanent residence. Even with him living here, if you are prepared, it's a bump in the road instead of an emergency."

BUYING CAN SAVE: Many things you buy can help to save money. Items such as a freezer, heated mattress pads, cast-iron cookware, reusable containers or tools can be money well spent. S.G. in New Mexico adds: "I learned that asking for a Wii was a risky gamble for my birthday (my husband got it on sale), but it has paid off. The kids don't ask to go to the play place, they have bowled more than we could ever afford at a real bowling alley, I never hear "I'm bored," Christmas shopping was easy, and virtual trainers are a bad as real trainers -- I hurt. In reality, it was a small expense to keep the whole frugal belt-tightening from hurting."

DON'T GIVE UP: If you fall off the frugal wagon, jump back on. Frugality isn't instant. But when you look back year to year, you'll see your progress.

Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (www.frugalvillage.com), a Web site that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. To send tips, comments or questions, write to Sara Noel, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or e-mail sara@frugalvillage.com.

Copyright 2010, United Feature Syndicate

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