Memartha's commentsComments On: EverythingArticles Blogs Journals Photos created by: EveryoneMemartha Your Thrift Store Purchases Can Affect Your Credit Cards - Blog Entry27 Jan 2009 03:55 PM Talk about a bias of capitalism! The thrift store "thing" probably assumes that if you can't afford retail and must charge thrift, you're in bad shape. What a load of baloney. Hmmm... If you're charging baloney at the supermarket, does that mean you're a bad credit risk? Why Live Frugally? - Blog Entry26 Jan 2009 04:02 PM We started frugality because we had no choice. We live in Pittsburgh where, 20 years ago now, the steel industry crashed. Unemployment city-wide was 25% and unemployment in steel and steel-related industries was 64%. It was harrowing. A local paper, now defunct, called "The Mill Hunk Herald" ran articles on how to keep from becoming homeless. "No matter what it takes, pay your rent/mortgage. Because once you have to live on the streets, it takes everything out of you." It was astonishing. The lines at unemployment were telling: There were 12 unemployment offices in Pittsburgh. Each had ten lines, each line refreshed every thirty minutes. And that doesn't count the people whose unemployment had run out. Long story short, we learned how to live in an "under-economy". Nowadays, things have improved some. Pittsburgh lost 750,000 people, but 300,000 people are still here. I have a job netting $1000 a month and that feels ling a luxury. All the utilities are paid! I can buy groceries! And frugality has become second nature. It's amazing when you learn what you don't really need. Empowering, even. God bless! Are Your Frugal Efforts Going Down the Drain? - Blog Entry26 Jan 2009 03:48 PM Sometimes I think coupons are for people from another world. We're so pared down here, it's impossible to think about buying something fancy and unnutritious even with a double coupon. We haven't gone so far as to use dried beans yet, but that day is coming! Hold on to Your Money: Cabinet Knobs - Blog Entry25 Jan 2009 12:49 PM My house was built in 1875. It's been through renovations. The previous owners redid the whole kitchen -- and it's lovely. Maple cabinets. For some obscure reason they installed pink formica countertops, which is puzzling. Downright irritating, to tell the truth. I got some green marble vinyl flooring, cut it to size and laid it along the countertops. Much better. But then there was the problem with the cabinet and drawer knobs. They were brassy and shiny and every time I went into the kitchen, I was looking at myself through a fish-eye lens everywhere I turned. I was happy to have this house and happy to have a maple kitchen, but who would go through all the expense of renovating a kitchen only to ruin it with pink formica and bulbous shiny knobs? One trip to Home Depot solved the knob problem. I replaced them with distressed matte faux copper. It's actually nice in there, and the cost was perhaps $20 for scads of knobs. Most Popular Pet Names of 2008 - Blog Entry16 Jan 2009 05:47 PM I have two dogs, Jimmy and Baby. Baby came with her name. I can't stand it but that's what she recognizes. I also have two cats, Louise and Pete. They are indoor furbabies. And if you live in a part of the country that's getting this arctic blast, PLEASE keep your pets inside! It's cold out there! Shop in Season to Save on Produce: Winter - Blog Entry16 Jan 2009 05:37 PM Ah, the lowly rutabaga... Did you know adding rutabaga to mashed potatoes adds a mysterious and lovely tang? Beating the Cold in My Home - Blog Entry16 Jan 2009 05:32 PM We are such wusses (not!). Here in Pittsburgh the wind chill was -15. Even my dog couldn't stand it. We usually let her out for her morning romp and pee (in our fenced yard), but she was scratching at the back door within three minutes! So we snuggled all day, snoozed, played tug-o-war, made fiery chili, lazed on the internet (including families.com, of course!). Here's hoping this arctic freeze passes before the Inauguration! More Extreme Frugality - Blog Entry10 Jan 2009 04:17 PM There's frugal and then there's frugal. I work with the homeless or nearly homeless or working poor, and some of these aren't so outrageous. It all depends on how poor you are. Congressmen are using cots in their offices. People ARE living in their cars, but not voluntarily. And remember, according to Ronald Reagan, ketchup is a vegetable. However, the pinata fight seems a little, well, dumb. Frugal Shopping: One CD and Five Different Offers - Blog Entry02 Jan 2009 05:37 PM There's always eBay. I bought Patti Austin for $0.01 The Temptation of Great After Holiday Deals 2 - Blog Entry30 Dec 2008 03:57 PM And what about leftover Christmas spirit? |
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