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| Frugal dinner for two. We could have eaten out, but chose to stay in for a home-cooked meal of leftover meatloaf on macaroni (my cheapest pasta shape), smothered with homemade Italian tomato sauce, with garden green beans on the side. Dessert was a home-made apple crisp made with our tree apples. |
Today was all about making salsa. I've now put up 16 pints of salsa for this coming year. I'm glad to have scratched salsa off my list. I could buy salsa. The store brands are not that expensive. However, we like my homemade salsa, and we love that there's always a jar at the ready for meals and snacks. And the $$ savings is nice, too.
So while de-seeding peppers and chopping vegetables I was thinking about all of the reasons we continue to live a frugal life, my motivators for frugality. The list is long, warning. But it sums up why my husband and I have chosen to be frugal.
My reasons are primarily financial (not a surprise), but a few reasons are more ideological. Some reasons have to do with parenting, although one could argue that everything we do that our kids can see is parenting through example. Some reasons have to do with my place in God's kingdom, how I love the world through generosity with what I've been given. Some reasons have to do with my personal fears and what ifs.
In no particular order, here's my list:
- to stretch limited finances to cover all our current needs
- to never go into debt and risk losing what we have gained due to missed loan payments
- to save for our future when we'll be less able to work and may need more hired assistance
- to pay for a few luxuries in our lives - well-maintained home, garden, and car, plus a vacation every few years
- to give generously to those in need and to support our church and missions
- to leave something to our children and causes that we support
- a challenge to do what culture has said is impossible -- American dream on one income
- to allow one person to focus on nurturing the family, home, and giving time to others
- to set an example for my kids and others around me
- to be responsible and pay for the things and services we use
- to save for unforeseen circumstances or needs
- in the past, but pay for education for our children without taking out loans (ours or theirs)
- to offer financial help to any of our family when they need it
- to not be wasteful -- I abhor waste, it really gets to me
- for a mentally, spiritually, and physically healthier lifestyle
I have days when I wonder "why bother? Why not just live my life spending without thinking?" Then I think of my motivations. This (almost) always triggers reason in my mind.
Our motivations have shifted over the years, obviously. In our early years of marriage, being frugal was a matter of survival. Over time we've slowly built up a cushion, so we aren't living on the edge any longer. Our focus has changed from children's basic needs, to older children's educations, and now to our own future retirement.
I may have missed a motivator or two. But I think my list hits all of the most important reasons for our frugality.
So, what motivates your frugality?
