Frugalities...Living Well on Next to Nothing

I'm frugal to the bone. I don't like to spend money if I don't have to. There is such a wealth of free and low cost alternatives to this consumerism disease that seems to grip most of the world nowdays.

I'm going to be publishing articles that deal with real life, real money, and how to live well without killing yourself to make more money.

Working two or three jobs so you can have all the "toys" is meaningless. When do you have time to use them? I recently met a man who has his own business, where he works 16 to 18 hours a day. He also has a nice house on the water and a boat, which he is selling because he has no time to use it. He lives in his 4 br, 3 bath house alone, has a man who takes care of his pool, which he also hardly ever uses. He's lucky if he gets to see his children (he's divorced...no surprise) once a month. But he has a lot of money. He also has high blood pressure, high cholesterol (from all that fast food he eats...no time to cook), and hardening of the arteries. His heart isn't in good shape, he's overweight, and doesn't exercise. He'll probably die and leave his kids a nice chunk of change, but I doubt if he will live long enough to retire and enjoy the fruits of his labors.

I have almost nothing. More than some, less than most. I live in a 26 year old house that needs serious repair. I have a 15 year old car that looks like it should be junked, but it runs well. I make less money than almost anyone I know.

I live alone, and have no outside source of income. I've thought of getting a roommate, but it just doesn't fit into my lifestyle. I'm so frugal, people say I can pinch a penny into a dime.

Right now, I have only my home mortgage and a $500 limit credit card as debt. I'm contributing very little, but contributing, to a 401-K at work. I have health insurance, but don't actually go to the doctor much. As you read my articles, you'll understand why. I am always looking for ways to save more, recycle more, reuse more, remake more. I'm totally anti-consumer in a consumerist world. Food is about the only thing I buy that isn't used, and I shop loss leaders and sales exclusively. I've stockpiled a month's worth of food, while still keeping my bills up to date, and saving for a back tax bill.

In case you aren't aware, Florida has some of the highest insurance and property tax rates around. I love living here, so in order to do that, I have to constantly find ways to cut expenses so I can pay those bills. The sunshine tax is high, but at least you don't have to shovel sunshine in the winter!

This is a new thing for me, so please visit often and keep up with my journey. Since I do work full time, sometimes it may be awhile before I add another article.

Update:

It's been so much fun doing these hubpages. I've started my own website, The Frugal Wench, and I'll be posting articles there too, and linking between the two sites. I hope you have been enjoying my articles.

Here's to financial, physical, and mental health....the frugal way!