Smaller Budget
Many of us were raised by thrifty parents who knew how to get a good deal, get it for you wholesale, or find great bargains. I know a woman who never buys anything that isn’t on sale. She learned that from her mother. Mine often did the same. She was a clothes horse with a shine for shoes that just wouldn’t stop. Every season we made the trek to the nearest large city for new shoes and clothing in the latest style. Fortunately for my mother, and all through my childhood, we were never without a sufficient income provided from my father’s hard work.
Recently, I’ve realized Daddy’s income was far more than sufficient. My mother taught me how to spend money wisely, but she didn’t give me a clue about how to NOT spend money. Did we live in a space and time warp of some kind? Many items I never gave a thought about purchasing (it was so automatic), I’ve discovered are dispensable. When the income isn’t even sufficient to cover basic living expenses, you can learn, the hard way, how to stop buying the items you just took for granted were part of housekeeping or generally living.
I’ve learned to emulate the New England ditty I learned when first married: use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. Especially the do without. Fabric softener and/or dryer sheets are not necessary. Store brands cost half the price of name brands and often work or taste just the same. I suspect that often they are the same product, different label. Some of the tricks to making this change are to shop with a list of needed items, and discipline yourself not to stray. Gradually substitute store brands to find ones that are adequate for your needs, and wean yourself away from the brands that support expensive advertising campaigns. Don’t tackle all items on your shopping list–maybe only one product a week.
Eventually your shopping list will narrow to the basic necessities, and then you’ll be able to recognize true bargains and take advantage of surprise sales you happen upon at the grocery and drug store.
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