Whenever I make resolutions, they do tend to be frugal ones. Okay, with the exception of my one big one: spend more time playing with the kids. I always put that one on my list because it is so important. I don’t want to lose out on that time with them while they are young, and I have to remind myself that a frugal practice has to be frugal in time as well as money. Spending an hour doing something that saves a few pennies might not be worthwhile if it takes away time from my family. Of course, some frugal practices can involve the kids and be fun. Click here to learn more about involving your kids in frugality.
With that said, here are my frugal New Year resolution for 2007.
I will hang more laundry. My rationalizations have been about keeping the house ready for real estate showings and the fact that our current backyard is the size of a postage stamp. My next door neighbor also has a backyard the size of a postage stamp and yet hangs her laundry on one of those poles with arms radiating from it. And it is easy to at least hang t-shirts in my basement, just by putting them on hangers as they come out of the washing machine.
I will barter more. I got a little taste of bartering when I traded my graphic skills by making a flyer for a local lawn business and getting free lawn care in return. The little taste made me hungry for more bartering. There are so many services and products out there that can be afforded through bartering. My very organized sister-in-law barters cleaning home for all sorts of things, such as services at a beauty salon. Look for a future blog all about bartering.
I will grow some food. Growing food is frugal and healthy. I did try this one on my back porch in containers. I had some lovely little tomatoes that were quickly snapped up by our kamikaze squirrels. The squirrels seem to run their own crime organization. They take what they think is coming to them and demand payment for their services, such as not carting away our 15-pound cat. Still, I think I gave up too easily and should try growing some yummy produce this year.
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