Showcase: Pearls
Janel blogs at Pearls and also contributes regularly right here at Frugal Hacks. I just love the clean, fresh and thoroughly feminine look of her blog, and she did it herself.
Janel took the time to answer a few questions for me, and here is what I learned:
Why do you blog?
I love facts, trivia, knowledge and Bible stories. Unfortunately, I grew up sometimes lacking the practical application of what to do with the facts that I had squirreled away. I’ve spent the last ten years formulating outside the box uses for all the useless facts rattling around in my head. I can’t imagine I’m the only person out there suffering from my “malady,” therefore I blog. If I can share a different perspective on a regular situation, yahoo!
Why be frugal?
As a Christian, I feel that being frugal is simply a part of good stewardship. Some people want to tithe 10% and feel they’ve met their Biblical “obligations.” Rich and I feel strongly that everything we own is God’s. Period. He created it. He provides our daily bread and so much more. We give 100% to back to Him. By being frugal, we make sure that we are spending His money wisely, so we have extra to share when and where it’s needed.
Did it take you a while to “find your voice,” or do you feel you’ve always been the same as a blogger?
I think my style has evolved. I’ve always been a letter writer. I had 20 pen pals when I was 17. Several of them commented at one time or another that getting a letter from me was like “being right there talking.” I try to continue that style of writing when I blog. I’ve found it a bit of a challenge to settle into “letter writing” style for my articles, but I think I’m consistently doing it.
What do you know about your readers? What do you think draws them to your blog?
Frankly, I don’t know much about my readers. I just know I have a bunch of folks who visit a lot and comment occasionally. Most of the things I write about can be picked up from a book at the library. But I try to present it as though I was talking with a friend who is asking a question. When you bring something down and make it real by providing examples about normal things that drive you crazy and how you resolved them, I think it helps people know they aren’t alone (or crazy.) I think my practical suggestions and letter writing style is what keeps them coming back.
How important is frugality to you? Casual interest, hobby, lifelong habit, or insane fanatical obsessive compulsion?
It’s very important because of my view on stewardship and Christianity. I view it as a lifelong part of my faith.
Does frugal living come easily for you or is it a struggle?
It depends! I have always been a bargain hunter. Some people bungee jump to get a rush, I go shopping for bargains. Call me crazy… I remember being about 12 and finding an incredible deal on fabric for a skirt I wanted to make. It was all down hill after that. It doesn’t matter if it’s groceries or house paint. Because I know where to look to find bargains and I’m able to find so many, for me the struggle is knowing when to stop looking and go home.
Do you have any frugal heroes or role models?
My mother in law, Barbie. Like I said, I have always been a bargain hunter, but Barbie introduced me to thrift stores. Oh me, oh my.
My dad grew up in the Depression, the third child of six, dirt poor. He climbed out of that hole and wanted more for his family. We didn’t wear hand-me-downs or shop second hand stores. It was taboo. We were never extravagant or had an obscene excess, but everything was always new.
When Barbie took me to my first bag sale (fill a paper grocery bag with anything in the store for $3!), I went nuts. All this good, cool stuff for $3??? OH MY! I was hooked. My dad cringed when I gave my mom a used crock pot because she loved mine, but she uses it!
Do you believe the saying, “you get what you pay for”?
Nope. There is nothing like finding a beautiful antique or high quality, secondhand something or other for 25¢, especially when it fits your needs. Why on Earth would I willingly pay $45 or more for something of lesser quality at the mall?
Is it ever possible to be too frugal? How about frugal enough?
Frugal is defined as “prudently saving or sparing.” No, I don’t think you can be too frugal, because I don’t think you can be too prudent. That said, there is a huge difference between being frugal and being cheap or miserly. Sometimes those words get used interchangeable, but really, they aren’t. Cheap and miserly are a whole different mindset that aren’t anywhere near God’s definition of godly stewardship.
Being “frugal enough” is when you have wisely considered your options, but not obsessed about making the “right choice,” prayed and gotten peace from God about a direction – even if that choice isn’t the cheapest or actually appears to be frivolous on the surface. With that, you can rest assured you spent wisely, prayerfully and have peace about it. You can’t do more than that. That’s enough.
How does the rest of your family feel about your frugal ideas?
I’ve gotten some of my best ideas from my husband… Who got them from his mom.
We all have moments of glory and brilliance that we want to relive for the rest of our lives, right? What was your best ever frugal idea?
I think my best and brightest idea was how to dress a little girl in sweet, feminine frocks for less than $6. It’s no secret to my readers that I hate today’s fashions. I love retro. The bargain hunter in me refuses to pay $50 for a cute, feminine dress that my daughter will only wear for a couple months. By knowing where to look for the deals and sewing dresses yourself, you can get a lot of mileage out of just a couple dollars. That’s not to mention the cutest little girls around!
Thank you, Janel, for taking the time to do this. I really enjoyed your answers!
Would you like to have your blog featured here? Join the Frugal Blogroll, and email me to request a questionnaire.
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3 Responses to “Showcase: Pearls”
October 18th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Wonderful insights. Thank you so much!
October 21st, 2007 at 6:49 pm
I think my practical suggestions and letter writing style is what keeps them coming back.
I agree! When I stumbled upon Janel’s blog, it was like meeting a new friend. Not many people can tackle the hard (and heart) issues with such a chatty tone.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Janel always has wonderful insights and really encourages her readers. I am thankful that God connected us many years ago.
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