It’s Friday, which means I talk about frugality. And just for my head and life I would like to take a moment to define frugality.

What does frugality mean for me?

Well, it means that I don’t spend money that I don’t need to…

In my last post on Frugality, I defined the need to spend money as

1. to buy the needful to run life smoothly…think toilet paper- the face of needful objects since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic! Or groceries.
2. To buy something that truly brings one happiness. For me a massage once every 2 months is that- not necessary, but oh so welcome!

Ok, so outside of the above definition and paying one’s bills, buying anything just because it’s on offer would mean not being frugal for me.

But I have a second definition of being frugal. And it’s about the creativity around the concept. 

Can I find some way to reduce my needful spending? The more creative, or opportune the better. 

This makes life a little more fun and adventurous!

For example, when I get a gift card from someone for a shop that I regularly visit anyways, I don’t consider it a great “gift” idea, but it’s very welcome nonetheless! I get to save a few $$$- not bad! 

Or if I can find a decent looking produce on the reduced rack, and I needed that anyways- WIN!

So here is my complete definition of Frugality, so far:

To avoid buying the unnecessary or unwanted. 

AND

To find interesting ways to cut costs on what does need to be bought.

I say so far, because as I think deeper about this concept, I may find nuances to add to or modify this definition for myself. And that is the joy of life right? To learn and grow from your old understanding, to a more nuanced, more encompassing understanding of things.

With all of this said, I am not sure, it was a very frugal week for me. When life takes over with a gusto, it gets hard to find creative ways to spend the needful money.

But here is my mini list:

I have new shoes!

Since my son outgrew his summer shoes, and he barely wore them one season, and they fit me perfectly…et voila!

I love these as in-between complete open-toed summer saddles, and a full-on shoe.

And great for this transition weather we in- cool mornings and warm days.

So happy with them 🙂

I picked up some good apples

I had a bag of apples in my grocery cart yesterday while shopping at my lovely local store. And then I found the same bag, with maybe one dented apple for half off on the reduced rack…

Well, it was a no brainer, right?

Apples are easy fruits to store, so a few days old or a couple of dents here and there, well, they do just fine.

I found a whole stack of pencils!

People seem to want to get rid of their pencil collection, and I find them on a usual basis.

I go through a lot of pencils because I draw with them, I use them for planning, I use them for writing my morning pages…

So, I feel like I may never have to buy pencils, like ever?

Thank you neighbours for donating your pencils to me 🙂 I will make good use of them, I promise!

I did not succumb to the Back to School Sale…

The local art supply stores are my usual haunts. And they are like my candy store- I find it hard to control my impulses over interesting art supplies, or a good quality sketchbook, or a new-to-me paint colours…

But, having asked myself the question of whether I need anything at the moment, and finding a big no for the answer, I stayed away from the back to school sales.

Instead:

I will start a list for my needs. And unless they are an immediate need, I will wait for the Boxing Day sales at the end of the year to stock up my studio.

And totally enjoy my once in a while visit to my candy store 😋

And that’s it! I hope to have a more frugally productive week to report next time. But for now, this will have to do.

Have you found creative ways to be frugal lately?