Sometimes frugal living is just a decision away, a slight change in attitude, or a different view on the way we look at life around us. Right before you throw something in the trash or the recycle bin, can you let your mind wander and find another use for the item instead of buying something new?

For instance:

  • Use the waxed paper insert of cereal boxes if you run low on waxed paper
  • Cut the top off of a gallon milk jug to use as a funnel for the pancake batter or use in the garage
  • Use empty toilet paper rolls for keeping your unused extension cords together
  • Cut out your name from the junk mail and use them as return address labels
  • Have some tennis balls lying around, throw one in with the laundry to cut the static

Frugal living isn’t about giving up things, but holding on to them and making them more valuable because they last longer with multiple uses. And sometimes living frugally is about what amount of energy we are putting out to get that item. The difference between a $300 sofa and a $700 one is not only about quality, but would mean more of your hard earned money and time it’s going to take to pay for it. Is your time and energy worth what little difference might be between the two sofas?

There are no answers to this, everyone has an area where they allow themselves to not be frugal. For me it is movies, I love the experience of movies and buying the expensive popcorn at the theater. To do this I will be frugal in other ways, like buying clothes at Goodwill instead of a retail store.

Frugal living is all about habit-forming, attitude adjusting, and life changing for the better. What are some things that you are doing that extends the life of the things around you?

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Dawn C. is site owner of Frugalforlife.com and is residing in Colorado with her spouse, Teri, of 11 years. Dawn can be reached at Frugalforlife@gmail.com