Does It Harm the Economy to Be Frugal?

I found this little fella tucked in amongst the beets when getting
 veggies for Tuesday's dinner. I dug him up and gave him his own pot.
 I have no idea how he got into the veggie bed. My plant "saucer"
is the bottom of a 1-gallon milk jug.

Is it wrong to just not spend money, or not very much money? Am I harming the economy by not eating out, not going to the movies, not buying knick-knacks or things for the home from retail stores? Where does my responsibility for helping to sustain the local economy begin when I'm trying to be responsible for my personal economy? Right now, my husband and I are saving for a new roof, a new car, and a major deck repair. We need to squirrel away every last cent to meet these needs of our own.

On our last credit card statement there were a total of 14 entries, 3 of which were charitable donations, 5 were utility/service payments, 3 were for the hardware store, 1 was for a prescription. That means that we only had 2 entries that I'd consider variable expenses (things we could reduce or forgo, if necessary), one a grocery store and the other a vitamin store. I did use cash to buy a gift for a friend at the farmer's market and I used gift cards to buy myself a burger, a charging cord for my laptop, and a new-to-me shirt at the thrift store. (For Christmas and my birthday, I suggest gift cards to my family members who want ideas on what to get me. These gift cards are my spending money.)

Our family's entertainment is usually free to us, movies and books from the library, homemade pizza nights, sitting around the fire ring on the patio, playing games, listening to free music, etc. We cook at home every day of the week. Travel is rare for us. Shopping at the mall is not one of my "hobbies". (Although, when I have a coupon for a freebie at the mall, I'll get the freebie.) Most of our spending is on necessities, like utilities, insurance, taxes, food, gas for the car (when it's our turn), car repairs, and home repairs.

Am I harming my local economy by not spending in discretionary categories locally? I ask because for the last couple of years I've heard other people say they're doing their part to keep local businesses open. I do agree that we need to keep brick and mortar small businesses open. Many experts say that small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy and the heart of the middle class. I wouldn't want to live in a community where the only stores left are big box stores. And I certainly wouldn't want to see any of my neighbors lose their livelihoods. Where does my responsibility lie? Have you thought about this in regards to your own financial situation? What have been your conclusions?

Community Writer: Catherine Emerson, Discovering a Passion for Backpacking

after finishing a 64 mile loop in the Gila Wilderness, July 2019

Hello, fellow Creative Savv readers! As a long-time reader, some of you may know me as Cat from the comment section. Lili has asked me to share about hiking and backpacking and how I got involved in those activities. Almost ten years ago now, while still homeschooling our kids, then about ages two to twelve, a fellow homeschooling mom mentioned that our nearby wildlife refuge in the Wichita Mountains offered group hikes on Thursday mornings. Turns out, these were originally intended for retirees, but hardly any were showing up, so they were welcoming anyone. As a then very fearful person, I appreciated the chance to get the kids outside for some gentle hikes, normally two miles or under, with other adults (and sometimes kids) along. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is home to many bison and Longhorn cattle, as well as Diamondback rattlesnakes, and  I didn’t relish the idea of going alone with children when I was so inexperienced myself. The leaders of the hikes varied, but all were kind and knowledgeable and taught us a lot about the flora and fauna of the area.

Fast forward a couple years and now all children are in school. I had continued to attend these hikes, but also found some other groups and was now venturing on longer, harder, and usually off-trail hikes. I loved it! My husband had been in the Army and often gone when the kids were younger, and my soul began to thrive with the new experience of outdoor time and the lovely people I met through these excursions. I became stronger and could now hike several miles at a time. My confidence grew as well. Somewhere in there, I became interested in Appalachian Trail memoirs, then stories from and about other trails. But backpacking still seemed just a little out of my reach. Who would I go with? I couldn’t imagine being out there alone.

Lake Katherine in the Peco Wilderness, June 2020

Somehow, I was introduced to the youtube channel of Jessica Mills, aka “Dixie”, a sweet, Southern, down-to-earth woman who had hiked the Appalachian Trail and was at that time hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Each week, I looked forward to her newest episode chronicling her adventure. My interest grew by leaps and bounds.

My daughters were involved in a scouting organization at that time, and I was the assistant unit leader for the teen group. The leader was planning an exciting trip canoeing in the Boundary Waters, so my oldest daughter and I began collecting gear over the next few months. Unfortunately, the trip was later cancelled for reasons I never quite understood, but we now had some of the equipment.

our tents near the old railroad tunnel at Caprock Canyon Trailway, April 2017

A young woman I had met through our ladies’ hiking group which I had begun to hold on Wednesdays also shared that she had an interest in backpacking, and had also collected gear. We took the plunge and made a plan to go! Just an easy short trip for our first time, over at Caprock Canyon State Park and Trailway, near Quitaque, Texas. It turned out to be a very warm weekend in April 2017, with daytime temperatures in the 90’s. But, we hiked in about 5 miles and camped near an old railway tunnel known for it’s bat population. That evening, we sat and played a card game as dusk approached, then settled in to watch the bats emerge from the tunnel. Wow, what an experience! As it grew darker and we could no longer see them, we could still feel them zipping by our heads. So amazing!

That trip started something for me. My super budget equipment was way too heavy and I really wondered what I had gotten myself into as I trudged along on that hot April afternoon. But waking up to mule deer grazing outside our tents and watching them as I sipped my instant coffee was such a wonderful experience and made the hard parts worth it. That fall, I planned a 3-day, 26.8 mile trip on the Eagle Rock Loop over near Mena, Arkansas, taking along my oldest daughter, the friend from my first trip, and two additional women. It was a challenge, this time with temperatures dipping into the 20’s at night, testing us in a whole different way. But we did it! And I was hooked!

sunset from the SW Rim at Big Bend, January 2020

Since that time, just 5 years ago now, I’ve backpacked hundreds of miles in many beautiful places, sometimes with friends, but a good chunk of it solo. Lots of miles over in southeastern Oklahoma and northern Arkansas on the Ouachita Trail, Womble Trail, the LOViT, and the Sylamore Creek Trail, among others. In Texas at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Big Bend National Park, in New Mexico at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the Gila Wilderness, and the Pecos Wilderness, as well as a couple trips up in Colorado. So many beautiful places in our world, and backpacking allows me to see a side you don’t necessarily get with a day hike or camping in a campground. I’ve upgraded my equipment greatly, so my pack weight can vary from about 21 lbs for a short trip in warm weather, up to about 33 lbs for a longer trip with a week of food and/or gear for cold weather. It’s become a great way for my soul to recharge, as my introvert self still has three children at home. Thankfully, my husband is supportive of this hobby and holds the fort down at home while I’m gone–couldn’t do it without him! 

Catherine Emerson is a hiking and backpacking enthusiast. Catherine, trail name “Corgi” (for her short legs), lives in southwestern Oklahoma with her husband, 3 of their 5 kids still home, 2 silly but sweet dogs, several rescue cats, and a small flock of ducks. When not on the trail, Catherine enjoys spending her time reading, knitting or crocheting, and gardening, with permaculture inspiration and aspiration.