Monday, May 3, 2010

Feeling the Squeeze? Frugality is the new Norm.

FRUGALITY? Yahoo news had this to say.

A few years ago I was thinking bigger house, pool, 4 car garage, entertainment terrace with pool table and full Irish pub. I was wanting more space, blank walls, a need to spread my arms and not touch a fence or a neighbor's mailbox. My kids were older, didn't need to run next door and play, didn't need the community pool or courts or playground.
Thinking about upscale living made me work harder. After all, bills would be higher... keeping up with the Joneses ain't cheap and it ain't pretty.
 But I love my house. And all the changes I've made. I wasn't ready to commit to something new, something time sucking. I had a novel or two to complete. A few more countries to cross off the list.
 So here we are. In the smallest house ever, and pretty darn happy.
 I am learning to cut back on non essentials, to make for even more rainy day money. And just last week decided some of the hidden costs of special TVchannels and landlines we never answer and a massage place I never visit could probably disappear painlessly.
 Next step, coupon cutting and wholesale shopping. Meal planning and maybe even... cleaning my own house.  steps like this could buy my beach escape all that sooner-- though with an oil spill approaching, I might be going Atlantic instead of Gulf. It's just 6 hours in the other direction, right?

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