Comments on: Cheerful Frugality Invests Long Term

By: Sharon H. in IL

Sharon H. in IL — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:19:24 +0000

Insulation! Experts speak with one voice that insulating your house gives the biggest bang-for-the-buck in energy savings.

By: Darla

Darla — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:37:25 +0000

Meredith, I’ve thought this same thing SO MANY times. Drives me crazy some days.

By: Lisa V.

Lisa V. — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:17:51 +0000

I sometimes cringe when my husband buys tools for a project, but then I remember that we aren’t hiring anyone to do that project-he does everything (within his knowledge) himself.

By: Leila

Leila — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:50:22 +0000

Last year when oil prices were so high, we finally bit the bullet and got an efficient wood-burning stove for the fireplace in the kitchen. We should have done it when we first moved in, ten years ago!

Even with lower fuel prices, I think we will make our money back in two years.

It didn’t hurt that we had an ice storm that netted us a lot of wood from downed trees

By: Diana

Diana — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:50:30 +0000

Rain barrels, they’ll save on your water bill. I know, it takes us a while sometimes to commit, but hey replacing every light bulb had a big affect on the electric bill, more than we thought. So sometimes you learn faster than others.

By: AmandaonMaui

AmandaonMaui — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:17:59 +0000

@Kerri You’d also be helping the planet. Without a planet, there’s no need to be frugal.

The bf and I just broke though this issue with a nearly 300 dollar Costco trip to get foods that will last us forever, and that will help us save a lot of money and stress in the long run.

If you’ve got the funds available, and you have enough in savings in case of an emergency, then don’t let anything hold you back.

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:24:20 +0000

I’ve never been afraid to spend large amounts at once (if I had the money at the time) to save in the long run. I think small amounts seem to some as though they are spending less, but it is really false economy! My good friend of many years ago would much rather have spent five dollars three times as ten dollars once. I could never understand that thinking.

By: ashleyd

ashleyd — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:23:00 +0000

we’re facing one of these right now. fixing our ice maker (probably about $150) and getting a new ($45) water filter. it will save us from buying a bag of ice and bottled water, adds up to about $7 a week.

By: deb meyers

deb meyers — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:42:51 +0000

I do this, too.

For me it is the fear: Will I spend all this money and end up with nothing to show for it?

When it comes to learning to garden the concern is not unfounded. One summer all my tomatoes developed end rot. Once, all the cucumbers were bitter. Another year slugs and chipmunks got the strawberries. I have yet to SAVE or MAKE money gardening.

When there are less variables in a big-ticket decision it is a BIT easier (i.e., season passes with potential loss guarantees from the pool company v. big bucks to establish a personal garden when I am learning as I go)

good thoughts!

deb meyers

By: kerri

kerri — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:18:13 +0000

Do you have a fly on our wall? My husband and I were just discussing the cost/savings ratio on trying to build a system to reuse water from our washer to do summer watering. I do balk at spending large bunches of money, but I think it would save us about $50/month during the summer…