The Funny Frugal

Posted by fheenix33 on July 24, 2009

The economic crisis is taking it’s toll on a lot of people and despite the fact that we’ve trimmed the fat off of frivolous spending and stretched the all mighty dollar as far as we can, we’re still feeling the strain.  In the past few months I have dedicated some serious time on how to become frugal beyond frugal.  Aside from cutting back on dinners out, seeing movies at the theater and unnecessary spending, I have come up with some useful tips on how cut back even more.

1.  Tired of the paying the high water bill every month?  I was.  Why should I have to pay for water when the same stuff falls from the sky and it’s free.  I’m all about free stuff.  I asked neighbors, family and friends to donate any unused buckets, jugs, old trash barrels and whatever else could hold water.  I placed them on every available space in my front and back yard.  After a good rainfall I collect the water and use it to do various things…laundry, washing dishes, bathing, pail flushing the toilet etc.  My water bill this month was $0.01.

2.  Who needs paper towels and toilet tissue when you have good ol’ leaves?  We have an abundance of trees around here and a few leaves off the old Oak tree is a heck of a lot cheaper than a roll of Bounty or Quilted Charmin.  Sheryl Crow would be proud.  Before you start adhering to this tip, make sure you know what poison ivy leaves look like.

3.  You can forget using your stove again and save on gas and electric by cooking your meals outside over an open fire.  Fire is free and with a little bit of training you can master the fine art of starting a fire by rubbing two sticks together.  Gather some sticks, tree limbs and rocks, make a nice sized open fire and you’ve got instant heat to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The pioneers did it way back when and they did quite well without fancy stoves.

4.  Grow your own food.  Digging up ground and planting seeds is a strenuous task, but all that free excersise will save you on monthy gym fees.  Dig up your entire yard.  Just think, you won’t have to mow it again.  There is nothing like the taste of home grown vegetables and the possibilities are endless.  If you must have eggs for breakfast and meat with your dinner, no problem.  Buy a couple chickens and scope out the local highways for some fresh roadkill.

5.  We have saved a great deal on our entertainment expenses by simply watching our neighbors.  Why spend $6.00 to rent a drama when I can view the real life version free of charge simply by looking out any of my windows periodically throughout the day and night?  What makes it extra special is most times it’s accomodated by loud rap music!  A musical drama that puts Shakespeare to shame.   I pull up the chairs while Lori is popping the popcorn over the open fire out back.  Life is good.

6.  Car broke down and it’s too costly to fix or there isn’t money to buy a new one?  Simple solution…buy a horse.  They are a lot cheaper than cars and don’t require insurance or the pricey gas fillup.  What do you think they did before they invented cars?  Granted the days of sleeping until 8:30 am and making it to work by 9:00 am are over, but you have to be willing to compromise at some point.  Go to bed earlier.

And with that, I will leave you with one last bit of advice..laugh and lighten up.  Laugh often.  Laughter is the best medicine, the best form of therapy, one of the best stress relievers and it’s free!