Tired of the Trendy "Frugalistas"

As someone who has been - out of necessity - practicing frugality for many years, Ms. Packratty is somewhat grumpy about the nouveau frugal. 'Scuse me - too many of these folks are being frugal now because over the last decade, while they were earning twice what I was, they were spending three times as much. And we're supposed to salute them for their bravery in going without sushi and designer vodka?

Well. As a long time frugal, whose wardrobe is mostly consignment, eBay and - when purchased retail - from stores like Marshall's, Ms. Packratty has a somewhat jaundiced view of the newly frugal. She strongly suspects that most of them will return to their wastrel ways at the first uptick in the economy. There are others who despite crowing about their frugal or green ways just amaze her by their inconsistency. Like recycling bathwater, but having a child who can walk and talk still using paper diapers?

Serious long term frugality does not need to be some pleasureless deathmarch, nor is it endless deprivation - in fact, Ms. P believes that's one of the fastest ways to fall off the wagon. Ms. P's version includes using a warehouse club like Sam's or Costco for things such as toilet paper. No, she does not buy the cheap stuff, she buys the good stuff. But she buys it in 4-6 month quantities for about the same price as buying the cheap stuff at the supermarket. This benefits the frugal in 2 ways - for one, you get the higher quality for the cheap price AND you don't have to think about TP or paper towels or X or Y or Z for months at a time. Even in a condo, Ms. P. manages to stash months worth of things that are non-perishable or household. Bargains come in the oddest places, too.

Does she bake her own bread? No - it's too much time out of a busy week and heats the house up too much in the summer. Sure there are times in the winter when a batch of no-knead bread or a hearty beef stew is the pip. But not in August.

The things that *aren't* frugal though - driving around in circles to use special coupons; buying brands we don't really like (hint - we won't use them if we don't like them), buying cheaply made clothing or shoes, those are the things to watch for.

Beyond that, Ms. Packratty recommends the public library for amusement. If you're new to watching your pennies, movie theatres and bookstores are not your friend. The library, unless your tastes are quite arcane and once you get over the compulsion to be up to the minute, can answer about 95% of your reading and viewing.

Oh, and the way to "save money over cable" is not to sign up for a dish or Netflix or some other scheme, but to break your addiction to the television - an addiction that pushes more things at you left, right and sideways.