If you surround yourself with frugal friends, saving money will be easy.
Yesterday, after the town parade and free hot dogs and games, my family headed over to an area attraction that was sponsoring free admission for the day. The promotion wasn’t widely advertised. It wasn’t mentioned on the website or put on any community calendars, so not too many people knew about it. Thanks to a faithful frugal friend, though, who alerted me to the event, my family of five was able to enjoy the afternoon, which included a free tour, a narrated tram ride, and time in “the enchanted woods,” a very fun children’s garden.
Finding out about free events and great deals is one way that my frugal friends and I benefit each other. Another example…knowing that a frugal friend wanted to surprise his girlfriend with a day at a certain amusement park, I pointed out a link that would secure him half-price tickets. Score.
There are other benefits of having frugal friends. For one, they generally share the same values as far as spending and saving. This means that they will smile and pat you on the back when you mention how you found a great dress for your daughter at the thrift store, rather than looking at you with disdain. That kind of validation goes a long way.
Frugal friends are generally generous friends too, who will be happy to offer goods and services as needed, pass on hand me downs, and barter for larger items. I have an unstated deal with one friend. We alert each other whenever we are getting rid of something, in case the other might want it. We also scope out yard sales with two lists. One for the items we want and one for the items the other wants.
So where do frugal friends hang out? How can you locate them, if you don’t currently have any. First of all, look around. The mom that is enthusing over her second-hand stroller at the park might be a kindred spirit. Yard sale and freecycle groups are more sources for frugal-minded people. Heck, just strike up a conversation the next time you are shopping at a thrift store.
Frugal friends are priceless.