Cheap Living in Retirement - Why You Should Adopt a Cheap Living Lifestyle

Cheap Living in Retirement - Why You Should Adopt a Cheap Living Lifestyle

Cheap living in retirement means, being frugal, being thrifty, simple living and saving money. It is not so hard to do and the word sacrifice can be eliminated from your vocabulary.

The word cheap implies doing without...not so... it is a way of being aware of your spending and eliminating waste. See if the following reminds you of sacrifice.

1) Consolidate shopping trips on one day. Anytime you jump in your car and go out for one item is a result of poor planning. You will have to go grocery shopping once a week...why not combine all your shopping in one day. You will save money on gas and up keep for your car.

2) In order to do your shopping in one day, you never should run out of a staple...you should be buying items you use daily in bulk. Things like toothpaste, toilet paper, paper goods, mouthwash, shaving cream, etc. you should keep in inventory.

3) Buying in bulk requires knowing what is a good price on your staples. That means watching the paper on Wednesdays and Sundays. Pounce when you see a good price. You are going to use staple items daily...rest in the knowledge that you are not overpaying when you stock up.

4) Scrutinizing the store ads twice a week will expose you to coupons. Make saving and using coupons a fixture in your frugal simple living plan. It is free money, never shop without them. Some stores have double or triple coupon days, know when these days occur and shop then.

What have you sacrificed above?...Nothing... you have saved money by planning ahead.

The payoff is having the clerk say, "You have saved .35 today", not bad if you spent .46. It can be done folks when you make frugal retirement living a way of life. Enjoy.

Frugal Living - Cheap Living in Retirement - Why You Should Adopt a Cheap Living Lifestyle

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Frugal Living (part 1): Live Better on Less and Save $1000's Now!

Frugal Living (part 1): Live Better on Less and Save 00's Now!

Mention 'frugal living' to someone and they may well automatically think of misery and deprivation. How wrong they are! Frugal living is a choice many people make for a number of unique reasons but ultimately leads to a way of 'living better for less'. This article will guide you through those first steps to start spending less!

We are bombarded daily with media images of how we should be buying this, wearing that and driving the other to fit into a category that most people think is 'normal'. There is an awful lot of pressure, especially for parents with children, to conform to this 'norm' and buy those expensive trainers or feed our children with the latest brightly packaged 'c-rap'. Before long you'll be getting by with 'a little help from your friends' (the little plastic friend that fits conveniently in your pocket and lets you borrow as much as you want as long as you pay it back with interest!) on a regular basis just to fund your 'normal' life. But this is just one of the reasons why we may decide to live more frugally.

Below you will find some of the main reasons that people will try and live more 'better for less'...

Financial crisis...you maybe finding it hard to make ends meet or your income has suddenly been reduced.

Saving for something special...perhaps you would like to visit your brother in Australia or want to take the family on holiday without having to pay for it with credit cards.

You are annoyed with force fed media rubbish telling us to spend...without realising it, we are constantly bombarded with media hype to buy the latest clothes, gadgets, cars and processed foods for our kids and ourselves. You are fed up with it!

You are trying to get rid of credit card/ loan debt and start to put money by...you want to improve your financial situation as you hate being being held accountable to finance companies.

Health & Diet...you start introducing good, healthy nutritious food into the families diet and dispense with expensive, unhealthy, processed foods. You'll begin to feel better, loose weight and find more money in your pocket!

Work...you may work long hours and want to spend more time with your family. Perhaps you are in the situation where both parents have to work long hours, have to rely on a lot of childcare and desperately wish you weren't working everyday to be with them more. This can be achieved !

Start off by making small changes

So you want to make some fundamental changes but where do you start? You will find that as you journey along the 'Frugal Super Highway' that it will be the lots of little and seemingly insignificant changes you make that will add up and save you £ 's and $'s. There are so many ways of saving money that may, to others, be 'no great shakes' but by the end of the year you will be astounded what you have saved. Some of these suggestions may seem silly or even ludicrous but just give them a go and you won't think them so daft at the end of the year when you've saved a whole lot of dosh!

Here is an example...

Get rid of quick meals and processed foods and cook from scratch.....save £100 + every month!...Where do I start! Take an average family of two adults and two children. The kids start the day with brand name breakfast cereals, have school lunches, have sweets after school, have a burger when they get home and then some biscuits at bed time. The adults eat the cereals too, mum takes a ready meal to work that you can pop in the micro-wave and Dad buys his sandwiches and drinks from the machine.

Make these simple changes and you'll save £'s and be healthier!

Get rid of brand name breakfast cereals. Buy larger packs of shops own and try and go for healthier options such as porridge, wheatabix or branflakes.....£10 saved per month!
Send the children to school with packed lunches instead of having school meals. A healthy lunch box can be put together for less than 50p per child. A wholemeal bread sandwich, drink of squash and a piece of fruit will do fine......£40 saved per month!
Same for the adults. Whats wrong with bringing sandwiches to work or a homemade pasta salad? Mr X's lunch and drinks cost him £3 daily and Mrs X's micro-wave meal is £2. Homemade sandwiches will only cost about 50p and a pasta salad or some leftovers to heat up even less!!.......£80 saved per month!
Why not cut down on sweets, crisps and biscuits for the children. Better still why not cut them out all together during the week and just allow some at weekends? May sound harsh but its not really.....you are doing them a favour! Kids are always starving when they come in from school so why not have a plateful of healthy snacks they can nibble on to stop them moaning!!!! That will keep them quiet while you prepare a frugal meal from scratch or you pull a frugal meal out of the freezer that you made in bulk last week......£40 saved per month

This example is just the 'tip of the iceberg'. There are so many things that can be changed and literally £1000,s of pounds which can be saved every year.

Good Luck!

More ways to save in part 2!

Frugal Living - Frugal Living (part 1): Live Better on Less and Save 00's Now!

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Adapting Frugal Living to Fit Your Lifestyle

Adapting Frugal Living to Fit Your Lifestyle

There is a lot of advice out there on how to live a frugal life. You can go from anything as simple as turning off the lights when you leave a room to grinding your own flour. There are forums out there where people discuss the way they use the rainwater they collect to do everything from watering plants to flushing their lavatories.

How frugal you are depends on your lifestyle. In my opinion, all it takes to be considered frugal is to think before you purchase something. You can simply turn down the heat at night and save a little on your utilities to be frugal. You can shop sales. You take the time to ask yourself if you really need something.

Being frugal isn't about washing out Ziplock baggies and reusing them. It isn't about grinding your own wheat or collecting rainwater. It isn't even about that sweater you didn't buy. It is about thinking before you spend. It is about conserving what you have. It is about saving money and managing your finances.

And every household has different finances. We all have different goals. It may not look frugal to you for my family to have a ,000 pick-up truck. But when we need it to haul cattle to and from market, it becomes a necessity. We make up for it in other ways. We buy our cattle feed in bulk in order to save money. We take care of what we have so that it lasts longer.

The point is that every household has to look at their own situation and then decide where they can - or need to - become more frugal. Frugal living doesn't mean doing without. It doesn't mean that you don't have what you need. In fact, it means the opposite.

Frugal shoppers are careful. They take care of their money and make the most of it. Many frugal shoppers actually have everything they want and the satisfaction that it doesn't hurt them financially. They spend time to make wise decisions. They learn how to make their dollars really work for them, instead of against them. They have more for less money.

Frugal living is about reducing what you spend, living within your means, using what you have and taking care of your belongings, including your money. It is about making goals and working to reach them. Which would you rather be: the person who decides when and where to spend his money or the person whose money is spent before he makes it?

Take the time to look at how you spend. Your spending is more important than your income. You can make 0,000, but if you spend 0,000, you are in trouble. It will eventually catch up with you. You have to spend less than you make, and that is what being frugal is about. Living with what you have. It is easier to spend less than it is to make more. It is easier to be frugal than to juggle credit cards and lenders. Find the frugal methods that work for your family and start saving today.

Frugal Living - Adapting Frugal Living to Fit Your Lifestyle

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Frugal Living Tips - A Beginner's Guide to a Simple Lifestyle

Frugal Living Tips - A Beginner's Guide to a Simple Lifestyle

More and more people are looking for a beginner's guide to frugal living as they face tough economic conditions, or from their desire to have a more positive personal impact on our planet. For those just starting out, learning to live a simple lifestyle may prove challenging. It may be rough going at first, but eventually you will get the hang of it.

Frugal doesn't necessarily mean cheap - at least not the way it was thought of years ago. It simply means living within one's means and not going overboard.  It is about setting a personal gauge as to when enough is enough and using this as a benchmark or foundation from which to make decisions.

Living a frugal life allows you to save money for important things such as a child's college education, or health care, or getting through hard times. 

Being frugal offers a valuable lesson to children by showing them that one can live a modest lifestyle and still come out ahead. It teaches children the value of a dollar and, by witnessing how mom and dad conduct the financial area of their lives, sets an example that the children will utilize in their adult years.

Sometimes it's the lessons of the past that come back to remind us of just how lucky we are. Our parents made purchases with cash only, rarely had debt, and certainly never used credit cards. If you think back to your childhood, you can probably remember instances where your parents didn't buy anything unless they could afford it.

It seems we have come full circle. As adults and parents, we too are finding alternative ways to save money. You can label it any word you desire, but the bottom line is that family is important. We will do whatever we can to make our loved ones comfortable. We will feed them, clothe them, and keep them healthy and happy. That's all that matters.

When frugal living tips are applied to your life as part of an overall plan, tremendous growth and change is possible. Frugality combined with sound personal finance basics and personal growth principles can propel your life forward and help you achieve financial independence. More and more people are choosing to adopt a frugal lifestyle more in harmony with their personal values and as part of living a more balanced life.

Frugal Living - Frugal Living Tips - A Beginner's Guide to a Simple Lifestyle

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Living Cheaply and Well by Retiring Overseas - Some Common Questions

Living Cheaply and Well by Retiring Overseas - Some Common Questions

Living cheaply overseas does not mean sacrifice.

By retiring overseas many folks are seeing that a modest pension or Social security check will go much further abroad than in Canada and the US.

How cheap is cheap? We are talking living on 00 to 00 a month while overseas. This is easily done in the following countries close to the US; Mexico, Panama and Ecuador. Are there other countries where this is possible, sure, there are many. These three countries have a large enough expat communities that we know this can be done now... November 2009.

What is considered living well? Eating out several times a month and having maid/gardener service is attainable at the above numbers. You can also expect to live in areas where crime is very low compared to the US. See any sacrifice here?

How about health care? Glad you asked... in all three of the above countries, the health care is excellent and very affordable. How cheap? In Mexico, right now, you can purchase health insurance for 0 a year, this covers everything. I pay more per month in the US for a catastrophic policy with a ,000 deductible. Panama has a hospital affiliated with John Hopkins; the care is top notch, at a lower price.

Will you be alone? There are a million Canadians and Americans, some seasonal, retirees in Mexico alone right now. Therefore, your chances of not being with fellow fellow citizens are slim. It is your choice, of course, if you choose to be alone.

How about the language barrier? If you do speak some Spanish, you will broaden your choices of where to retire. If you do not speak any Spanish, you will tend to pick places with a large expat population. Prices will be higher there, but still cheaper than the US or Canada.

Do you give up your US or Canadian citizenship when retiring overseas? No you do not...you still have all the rights and privileges of citizenship in your home country. US citizens must prove that they have been in the US every 7 years to maintain citizenship. This is not a biggie for most folks.

Living cheaply and retiring overseas is an option you should consider if your resources are limited. This lifestyle is of high quality without the high prices of the US and Canada.

Frugal Living - Living Cheaply and Well by Retiring Overseas - Some Common Questions

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The Art of Simple Living

The Art of Simple Living

Simple living is the way an individual chooses to enjoy life in the simplest form possible without the comforts often found in high technological materials and wealth. The art of simple living may be described as living in a way that is outwardly simpler and inwardly richer; focusing more on the richness of the world's natural resources rather than on the material things that often clutter our life.

Living a simple lifestyle may be classified as voluntary or a forced lifestyle. Voluntary simple living is a lifestyle that involves personal choice of living, wherein a family is trying to separate themselves from material richness. It is their own desire to live such a life to provide quality time for the family and for their spiritual growth. Those individuals or families who are living a simpler life would reduce the need for purchased goods, high class services, or time-consuming work for more money.

Being forced to live a simple lifestyle is common to unfortunate people who cannot afford material things due to the financial incapacity or limited financial resources. They are those individuals and families who are not properly compensated or who do not have jobs to provide their daily necessities. They have no choice but to live the simpler way of living.

For the families who are well-off but still prefer simple living, they do this either for spirituality, for physical health, for environmental sustainability, or for quality time to spend with the family. Whatever the reason, simple living does not necessarily mean avoiding enjoyment. The more money you spend, the more time you need to earn it and the less time you can have for your family.

The art of simple living is important for all of us. Through this lifestyle we help in the conservation of the environment. Most of us do save for the future or for the education of the kids; why can't we save the environment as well for their safety and for the future generation? We can do it by living simple lives and by eliminating the machines and equipments that may pollute the environment or consume more of the energy.

Simple living has a lot to do with the environment and with the future generations. What we do today, what we buy today and what we throw away today will have a great impact on the whole world because life is interconnected with each other. Standard living is something that focuses more on the immaterial things in the earth such as the clean water, clean air, and clean planet; this only leads to doing the simple way of living.

Simple living may be a way to solve the ever growing economic and environmental crisis; but the real benefit of this is the happiness for each of us. Happiness in the true sense of the word is having your whole family close beside you most of the time in a safe and healthy environment. Simple life can yield happiness, especially if you and your whole family get to have longer quality time together. The art of simple living means richness for the family.

Frugal Living - The Art of Simple Living

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Living Aboard a Sailboat - Do Not Wait Too Long

Living Aboard a Sailboat - Do Not Wait Too Long

We lived aboard our sailboat in the Caribbean for 8 years. I was 49 to 57, my bride 42 to 50.

Could we do it again right now, ages 64 and 57...sure, but with the following caveats. These will not be a surprise:

1) You are less physically able to do things as you age. Not an earthshaking statement but if you are say 45 now and want to go cruising. Do it now. If you are waiting to accumulate more money to buy a special boat... you are most certainly making a mistake. The docks in the US are full of folks saying... one day I am heading to the Caribbean and go cruising. They never leave the dock.

2) The reason the above is a mistake if you really want to go cruising, is that there will always be something holding you back... you have to make the decision and go with what you have at the present.

3) If you hesitate, you will end up swapping time for dollars. The longer you wait the older you get and your ability to enjoy cruising will decline. For instance, the masthead light has a burnt out bulb... grab the bosuns chair and up you go to change it... no problem right? 53 feet above the deck is a little different at 45 vs. 55. At 55, you will strongly consider finding a young kid and you winch him up to change the bulb. Now cruisers do help each other, and a real good younger friend might go up the mast for you, but you cannot always count on it.

Living aboard a sailboat is a great way of life. In the Caribbean, it is a cheap way of life as well. Do not make the mistake of swapping years for more money, go now with what you have and enjoy. We did and so can you.

Frugal Living - Living Aboard a Sailboat - Do Not Wait Too Long

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The Psychology of Frugal Living: Am I Ready?

The Psychology of Frugal Living: Am I Ready?

Economic reports for the future predict more tough times. Tightening your belt and learning to live frugally are more important than ever, but are you psychologically ready for a truly frugal retirement?

One of the first things that you will need to do to live frugally is prepare yourself psychologically. Ask yourself if you are really ready to change your lifestyle. Are you willing to commit to a whole new way of living? A change in lifestyle doesn't always come easily, but working through some of the psychological issues will definitely go a long way to ensuring your success. Let's take a long look at what you want to accomplish.

Your first priority is to get rational - define your goals. Is your goal to trim your budget by some set amount or are you completely revamping your lifestyle? Do you have a set amount in mind to save? It's important to think rationally rather than emotionally when you need to plan this type of change. Factors like, sudden unemployment or a catastrophic drop in your retirement fund just before you retire will require much greater changes than just trying to shave a couple of hundred dollars off your monthly expenses because you are saving up for large purchase. Firming up your goals will help you gain a sense of mastery and control over your plans and increase the likelihood of your success.

Another factor to consider when defining your goals is the time frame for your lifestyle change. Are you gearing up for a drop in income because you know you are retiring in two years so you have the time to slowly shape your behavior towards a frugal retirement? If you just got a notice of a forced early retirement next month, then you're looking at a need to make sudden radical changes. Long slow changes can be much easier to accept psychologically, than sudden radical changes. Knowing this should help spur you to make the changes now, rather than wait until catastrophe strikes because small changes are easier to make into new habits.

Second - overcome your pre-conceived notions. Are you picturing yourself darning socks by candlelight under a mountain of blankets because you've decided to be so frugal that you don't pay for heat or light anymore? Many people get stalled because they actually fear what it means to be frugal. There are ways though to be frugal without feeling like you have become miserly. You do not have to become miserly and cheap in order to be frugal. Think of frugal as being more economical - less wasteful and you will feel less put upon while adopting your new frugal lifestyle.

A frugal retirement isn't as difficult as you may imagine. Careful planning and discarding of pre-conceived ideas will help get you on the road to living frugally.

Frugal Living - The Psychology of Frugal Living: Am I Ready?

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Living Cheap and Loving It - Living in an RV

Living Cheap and Loving It - Living in an RV

Does the recent economy have you living cheap?

 

It sure does in our house. Take heart... you may be forced into spending less on housing. How can that be good?

 

A great fun way to experience cheap living is living in an RV. Yep...this lifestyle is cheaper than a house...it's much more flexible than a house...and you get to choose your climate as an added bonus.

 

So the poor 2009 economy is sending us lemons.  Let's make lemonade.

 

My wife and I lived on an RV for 7 years, 5 to 22 months at a stretch. What is bad about fly fishing in Montana in July? Then seeing Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Park, before wintering in Palm Springs and Arizona?...I'm waiting...that's what I thought... It is a great way to life.

 

You can do it too.

 

It's like being on constant vacation and your motel room moves with you. You never unpack, everything you need moves with you.

 

Most motor homes tow a car so you have transportation when you arrive. If you like pickups, then look at travel trailers. Or with smaller campers your "rig" is your car.

 

What type of rig is the best?...It all depends on you. They all see the same scenery and breathe the same air.

 

How cheap is it? It depends on how much traveling you do. The more you move the more fuel you will burn. If you spend no more than a week in one RV park you will also pay higher rent. The daily rate could be a night, but the monthly rate could be 0. So if you stay longer in one place you will save on rent and fuel. It's up to you how much you spend.

 

There are lots of things you may miss when you hit the road. Let's list them...your beloved snow blower...raking the leaves in the fall...unjamming the garbage disposal...painting the house...I could go on and on but you get the idea. Keeping up a house is not cheap living, it can be a pain.

 

You do have some maintenance chores for living in an RV, just like a car. Change the oil, air in the tires, the same basic car stuff. You do have plumbing in an RV, but it is pretty basic and simple to maintain.

 

Worry about what to do living in an RV? Better question is do I have enough time to do it all. Probably not. You will find that RV folk are friendly, willing to help, and all glad that they are having fun and living cheap.

 

Well, living in an RV is the lemonade from the lousy economy...which would be the lemons. If there are parts of this beautiful country you have not yet seen, an RV is a perfect vehicle (sorry) to see what you have missed. Enjoy. 

Frugal Living - Living Cheap and Loving It - Living in an RV

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Frugal Lifestyle Tips For Cheaper Living

Frugal Lifestyle Tips For Cheaper Living

A few years ago you may have been hard pressed to think of some ideas to share with other people your ideas on how to save money and live a shall we say more frugal lifestyle, I know I would have. After a few years of a down economy and watching friends loose their jobs and homes loose their value it has become a life mission of a lot of people to find cheaper ways of living. So in the interest of sharing some money saving ideas perhaps you can get some information out of this article and find a way to pass it on to the next person because I think we can all benefit from living a more frugal lifestyle.

Let's start with the food you eat both at home and at restaurants. There are plenty of creative ways to save money when it comes to grocery shopping from coupons to buying the generic brand instead of the name brand. It is the same stuff you know, you do know that don't you? Anyway how about shopping with a lists? I wonder how many of us actually make a list to go grocery shopping or perhaps even a better question is how many of you out there stick to what is on the list? Another good money saver when it comes to your home food bill is spending a little money on an extra freezer. That way when meats, breads and vegetables go on sale you can put them in the deep freeze and stock up on those everyday items when they cost less. Sure it is a bit of money out of your wallet to purchase the freezer but in the long run it will save you lots of money on your groceries.

Families that eat out can spend a lot of money this is no news flash to all those families out there. However I do wonder how many of those families that are still eating out on a regular basis are taking advantage of those local restaurants that offer those "kids eat free nights" which by the way most popular food chain restaurants now offer. Those nights are usually on their slow nights and are their way to drum up some extra business so if you are a family why not take advantage of those kids eat free nights. Also for those couples out there that like to eat out but prefer to keep their budget in check why not go with a salad and some appetizers as your meal instead of a full course. Most appetizers today are usually full meal size now a days anyway plus it will help keep off some extra pounds.

Now how about saving some money on the good old gas for the car bill? This is a tip that I had heard about last year but I did not put much stock into it until I tested out the theory and noticed a difference. During those hot summer days it is best to fill up your tank either in the cool of morning or the evening hours instead of the peak of heat middle of the day. Reason being the heat expands the gas which then takes up more space in your gas tank which in turn means you are getting less gas for your money.

Frugal Living - Frugal Lifestyle Tips For Cheaper Living

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Frugal Living Tips - Ways To Live Cheaper

Frugal Living Tips - Ways To Live Cheaper

Learn to save some of your hard earned cash with these frugal living tips. You do not have to use them all but picking even one will save you some money!

Bills- Do we need everything we pay for?

Do we need every movie channel that our cable or satellite company provides? Do we pay for five movies at a time from Netflix when we only watch three? Are we getting the best deal on auto or home insurance that we can? Do we really need such a large home or three cars?

It is important to evaluate every bill you pay and make sure you really need it. Can you cut your cable bill in half? Call around and get estimates on auto and home insurance to see if you could save some cash. If only two of you drive in the household do you really need three cars? Can you get by on one?

Ask yourself these questions and more to figure out what you really need and not what just makes you feel better.

Buy used and sell used

Don't throw away that lamp you don't like. Try and sell it on ebay or craigslist, and if that doesn't work then donate it to a charitable organization like the Salvation Army or Goodwill or your local church.

Instead of running to the showroom floor when you need new furniture or home decor scour the flea markets and garage sales instead. Not only may you find an expensive sofa for half the price of new and only six months old but you are also saving an item from ending up in a landfill!

Pay it off!

Plan a budget and stick to it. You will feel better than you can ever imagine when you have no credit card debt. And when you pay off that credit card debt you can move on to bigger things. What if you have not auto debt or home debt anymore? How much stress would that reduce in your life?

Pay off the smallest bills first then use that money to pay off larger debt and so on (while making your minimum monthly payments) and see how fast you can pay off what you owe!

The best feeling in the world comes from buying a big ticket item for cash and knowing you will not have to pay anyone interest.

Go meatless!

Another of the easiest frugal living tips is to cut meat out of your diet for at least one meal a week. While this may sound like it is not that fun, especially for the meat and potato group, you may be surprised at the meatless meals you can come up with!

Some excellent meal ideas for eating meatless are beans and cornbread, baked potato dinner, cheese quesadillas, or vegetable soup. Think about the meals your family enjoys and you may be surprised to find more than one meatless meal in your recipe file already!

Remember, as Benjamin Franklin said, "A penny saved is a penny earned!"

Frugal Living - Frugal Living Tips - Ways To Live Cheaper

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Living on a Sailboat - Choose and Use Your Anchor Windlass Wisely

Living on a Sailboat - Choose and Use Your Anchor Windlass Wisely

Living on a sailboat was something we did for 8 years, all in the Caribbean. Anchoring out for free was our favorite way of spending the night. The ability to come into an anchorage drop the hook, with no yelling, was the mark of the pros that had done it well many times.

Part of the necessary equipment was a good anchor windlass. Why?... because in the Caribbean, I do not cruise anywhere I cannot wear swim trunks, 200 feet of all chain rode, a 35 lb (minimum) CQR anchor, all handled by a motor driven windlass was a necessity. If you wanted to sleep well...anchor drill at 2AM is not fun...trust me.

We had a vertical Lewmar and were well pleased. About the only catch was occasionally the breaker would trip and the chain jamming in the locker...should not happen often if you are paying attention. We had hand signals, no yelling, me on the foredeck, the bride manning the helm.

The key to using the windlass as a back saver was not to abuse it. An anchor lock a few inches in front of the windlass is a necessity. Never ever install a windlass without one...it takes all the stress off the windlass. A lot easier to replace a bent pin than a windlass. A snubber, is a must have as well, it will provide a backup to the chain lock to relieve stress on the windlass...it will also mean better sleep as the rode can get noisy at night.

When using the windlass make sure you never use it on taut rode. The chain should always be slack as you are pulling it up. The exception is when you are breaking out the anchor. If it does not come up easily, put the chain lock on, give yourself some slack, and try to get it out using the engine... a few times back and forth and you can usually get it up easily. I had to dive on a fouled anchor once...no problem in 12 feet of water.

Living on a sailboat is a lot of fun...keep it that way with a good anchor windlass that you respect and take good care of... It will save your back. Enjoy.

Frugal Living - Living on a Sailboat - Choose and Use Your Anchor Windlass Wisely

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Frugal Living - Some Tips and Ideas on How and Where to Save

Frugal Living - Some Tips and Ideas on How and Where to Save

Frugal living shares tips and ideas that will hopefully help you run a more efficient household, and minimize on unnecessary waste. My mum always used to say, "Waste not, want not", and I think with the way the economy is going at the moment, this is as true today as it was in the past. Frugality is about changing your lifestyle, because if you do not change how you live, you will not save anything. We really need to tighten our belts and save where we can. It really is not that difficult, but you need to know the difference between living frugally and being a 'cheapskate', and a miser. That is not what I want to propose, because at the end of the day we need to enjoy life too. What we can do, however, is to be careful with resources and learn how not to waste. We are a consumer driven society and puppets of the advertising corporations telling us what we should be buying next. In order to be frugal one has to look at what one wants and what one needs, and to know the difference. In the end it becomes fun and challenging to see how clever you are at frugal living and creative in being able to save money. So here are some frugal tips for you:

FRUGAL TIPS FOR THE GARDEN:

Frugal Living and making your Own Compost

The most obvious saving for gardeners and homesteaders alike, is of course your household waste from your egg shells, vegetable scraps, newspaper and the like. Here is an ideal opportunity to be frugal make your own garden compost using what you have used in a recycling process that goes back to nourishing nature using nature. You can make compost in just 4 months with very little fuss at all. If you are interested in this area, I have written an article on this subject that is also with EzineArticles.

Frugal Living and Growing your Own

Another frugal tip is growing your own plants from seeds, which is a lot of fun, and very much cheaper than buying instant plants and vegetables for your garden. Growing these, especially herbs and cress in a decorative container can be a lovely cheap gift for friends and family. Growing sprouts is a great past time for children and as they have grown them, they will be more eager to eat them in their salads and sandwiches. And you do not always have to buy seed from seed suppliers. The next time you have a great tasting tomatoes take one and dry it out and save the seed. Save seeds from rock melons, papayas, green peppers etc. and plant them out when the season it right. As long as they are kept in an air-tight container after thoroughly being dried out, they will be fine.

Growing your own therefore also refers to growing your own vegetables. You can be totally self-sufficient on an acre of ground. And if you live in an apartment, grow vegetables and herbs on your windowsill, or create a container garden. If you have a rooftop, create a container garden there. If you live in the UK owning an allotment of about 150 - 200 sqm is a way of life for many, and allotments are cheap enough to secure from the council and the land will allow you to grow your vegetables, fruit and herbs on ground that you did not have before. By growing your own, suddenly frugal living also becomes a healthier alternative lifestyle. You will eat better and get more exercise!

Frugal Living and Using Vinegar as a Herbicide, Insecticide and Pesticide

What about a natural herbicide and pesticide, that costs next to nothing? Do you have a rabbit problem, or too many slugs and snails eating your lettuce? Or are you being invaded by ants? Or perhaps you have grass growing in between those pavers and your really don't want to use Roundup or something similar. Well have you thought about using vinegar? Using vinegar is a great frugal tip as you will be amazed just how many uses it has, and we all know how cheap it is, therefore a far cheaper method to use, and eco-friendly too. The full article is again with Ezine Articles on this subject.

FRUGAL TIPS FOR SHOPPING:

Frugal Living and Buying Bulk when you Can

Saving money starts in the kitchen and when you go shopping. Buy bulk where you can, and make sure that when you get home you divide this bulk buying into smaller packages and make sure that you have proper storage. Buying bulk meat for example is great if you have a big chest deep-freeze. Buying a whole lamb at your butchers and a hind-quarter may be expensive when you first buy it, but it will be a lot cheaper for you in the long run. If your butcher is any good, not only will he cut it and pack it according to the numbers of family members for portions, but he will also label it for you too, so that you do not end up with 'mystery meat'. However, too much red is not good for you, so your meat meals should be interchanged with fish, chicken and a meatless dish once a week. In that way, your meat will last longer and your health will be better for it.

Frugal Living and Cooking and Baking it Yourself

As a working mum myself, I know that it is a struggle to find things to feed the family. But do a reality check the next time you shop. Are you buying tv dinners and pre-cooked meals or do you make your own from scratch? Do you buy packets of biscuits or do you make your own? Do you buy shredded vegetables and pre-made up salads? Buying convenience food like this, all comes with a price. If you are serious about saving money, make your own meals, biscuits and buy a cheap food processor to slice and dice those onions etc. I am a lazy cook, and if you have a look at my recipes, you will find a lot of quick and easy recipes for all occasions that you will knock up in a jiffy.

And it not just the pre-prepared meals but what you are throwing in your trolley that you should be looking at. How many bags of crisps, fizzy drinks, chocolates, sweets and other rubbish is going into the trolley that will send any child who is borderline ADD& H totally off into swinging from the light bulbs and hanging from the fans. The diet that you have your children on affects them, and buy buying loads of fruit and vegetables and staying away from foods packed with preservatives, tartrazine and other horrible beasties will not only be cheaper on the pocket, but you will notice a considerable improvement in your children's behaviour if they do suffer from ADD & H. So avoid impulsive shopping, buy only what you need, creating a list is good for this if you find you are undisciplined, and check and compare brand prices. Normally shop fitters place the more expensive grocery brands at eye-level. The cheaper brands are on the lower shelved. Look there first.

Frugal Living by visiting Farmers' Markets & Farm Shops

Farmers' Markets and Farm Shops are great places to visit for your cheap fruit and vegetables. You know that you will be getting quality produce at a fraction of the cost and because its fresh it will last longer in your fridge if it is stored correctly. Farmers' Markets are also places to ferret around for those little arts and crafts, jams and preserves that make cheap but attractive gifts for later on.

Frugal Living regarding Eating Out & Take Outs

This brings me to another related issue, eating out. It's fun to eat out, and we all love doing it, but how much money are you throwing away? Going out to clubs, bars, restaurants and take-aways on a regular basis all costs money. Frugal living does not have space for excessive eating out. You should limit these outings to once a month. By doing this, not only will you save, but you will actually appreciate times you do go out more, rather than taking them for granted.

FRUGAL TIPS FOR THE HOUSE:

Frugal Living and Cleaning your Kitchen with Vinegar

So, I'm back to vinegar again, and before you think I have a total fixation, I do not, but really it is a great little substitute as a cheap cleaning product and a must-have if you want to be frugal because it has so many good uses. Half a cup of vinegar added to your soapy dishwater will cut through the greasy pots and dishes, saving you on the amount of soap you would have needed. 2 teaspoons of vinegar added to your dishwashing cycle, instead of Rinse Aid and the like, will do the job just as well. Looking to clean those mirrors and windows in your house? Mix one half teaspoon of liquid soap, 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 cups of water. Keep in a spray container and start cleaning those windows! And by the way, you do not need expensive cleaning cloths for cleaning windows and mirrors. Scrunch up some newspaper and use that, it gives a far better result. Finally if you have a clogged drain, take a quarter of a cup of baking soda and pour it into your drain. Follow that up with a half cup of vinegar. Let it fizz and then follow through with boiling water. It should do the trick.

FRUGAL TIPS FOR GIFTS:

Frugal Living: Card and Gifts

We all know how expensive Xmas time is and those family birthdays can be a killer. Commercial cards are exorbitant and at the end of the day will probably end up in the bin. Have you thought about making your own? For a fraction of the price you can download free software that allows you to create your own card that can be personalized for the occasion. And will be far more meaningful. Secondly, if you are good with your hands, create a card using dried grasses and pressed flowers glued onto card. Thirdly, if you like creating cross-stitch pictures, make a small sampler, paste it into a card border and write your message in your card. I have had several of these given to me, and have ended up framed and on display, rather than in the bin, where the commercial card would have gone.

So if you have made the card, what about making a gift? You don't have to be artistic to do something clever. Put a basket together of goodies and ring the changes. You could create a basket of bubble soap, candles, lotions and potions, or a themed basket for an Italian or Mexican meal. If you are a good baker and cook people appreciate homemade biscuits, jams pickles, preserves and sweets because it tells people that you care. At Xmas time you can spend a little more putting a couple of luxury food items in a basket, but still end up spending a lot less than you would have done. Cover the basket with cellophane and top it off with either raffia string or a bow. Those sorts of things you can find very cheaply at those shops. A final gift idea is to buy some graphic paper and using your favourite family photos make a personalized calendar for family members who perhaps don't see you as often as they should. You can put all the birthdays down and other special events for your calendar.

FRUGAL TIPS FOR BOOKWORMS:

Frugal Living and Using your Library

I have to confess that I love my books and tend to spend more money than I should. However, I have an excuse in that where I live there is no public library. However, if you have access to a library and you love spending money on books, magazines and CDs join your local library and visit it once a week to read your book and magazines without having to pay for them. If you have a lot of novels and books at home that you have not read for a while, and probably are not likely too either, find a book-exchange shop and either sell your books to them or exchange your books for others.

FRUGAL TIPS FOR GAMBLERS:

Frugal Living and Weaning yourself off Gambling

More money is wasted in households on gambling then any other thing. Gambling only leaves the bookies rich and the Casino bosses gloating. These are the only true winners. Yes, occasionally you may get lucky, but how much have you spent to get there? It is only a million-to-one chance that you will strike it big. As a gambler you would know that the odds are really too high. Take that money and rather invest it in land and property which will always appreciate, especially between 5 - 10 years when you should see your investment either double or triple in value over that time period.

FRUGAL TIPS FOR FRUGAL LIVING:

Frugal Living and Learning to Budget

Learning to budget means that you have to live within your means, and that does not mean that when you have blown your budget for the month you bring out the credit card. If you have a credit card, cut it up. You don't need it. Start with what you earn and do the math. How much are you spending and where can your economize? You will always find ways of spending less if you are driven and committed to do so. Yes, there is always the unexpected expenses, and that is where so many people fall foul, because they don't anticipate these. They are so stretched financially every month, basically because they are living above their means, that when an unexpected expense occurs, the only way out is to bring out the credit card. This is a sure slide into financial hell. When you have your salary the ratio for spending it on housing should ideally be a quarter, and definitely no more than a third. If you are spending more than that, you are already way over your head. Start modest and live comfortably. Life is stressful enough without having to worry about finances as well. If you have read these frugal tips and take some on board, your finances should see a difference. Remember, if you are serious about frugal living, if you look after the pennies, the pounds will take care of themselves.

Frugal Living - Frugal Living - Some Tips and Ideas on How and Where to Save

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Living Cheaply and Well - Make it a Lifestyle Starting Now

Living Cheaply and Well - Make it a Lifestyle Starting Now

The thought of living cheaply means sacrifice and depriving yourself to most people. We have lived cheaply for so long it is second nature, but without sacrifice and we certainly do not feel deprived.

Our friends do not think of us as hippies, stingy, or Spartan. They also know we will not waste money either.

We have been retired for 14 years, since I was 49, by living cheaply and well. We have experienced living aboard a sailboat in the Caribbean, living in an RV and living overseas. All are much cheaper ways to live compared to a house and "traditional living". After all, what is considered "traditional" anymore after the erosion of assets in the last two years?

If these times of uncertainty have not made us all open to living cheaply, you wonder what it will take.

Before retirement my wife and led the life of DINK's...dual income no kids. We earned in the low 6 figures. We had nice cars, a comfortable lifestyle without waste. We resisted the urge to buy bigger and bigger houses and lived in our first house for 21 years.

We can say there was no sacrifice because we took regular vacations. For example, we took cruises and paid for the cheapest cabin. We ate the same food; saw the same shows; went to the same ports as the folks in suites paying 3 times what we paid. We went to Las Vegas, stayed off the Strip, didn't gamble and became fond of buffets. We didn't notice many smiles in the casinos...we were happy, we were living cheaply.

We used and use credit cards as a way to use other peoples money free for a month and accumulate free airline tickets...never to "reward ourselves" and buy something we couldn't afford. We pay off our credit cards every month; we have never paid a dime of interest. So should you.

Even then we thought living cheaply was the way to go. Goodwill meant something then and now besides being words in a Christmas carol. Before the internet made comparison shopping easy, we did our research before buying anything.

Coupons, outlet malls and buying in bulk were part of everyday life then and now. If you try living cheaply you will soon find it second nature... and fun as well.

You too will hear from the checkout lady..."Everything you bought was on sale or you had a coupon"...Duh!

Living cheaply is easily doable and allowed us to retire early and stay retired. If you make it a lifestyle you can do the same. Enjoy.

Frugal Living - Living Cheaply and Well - Make it a Lifestyle Starting Now

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Frugal Wife Sure Helps for Living Cheaply and Retiring Early

Frugal Wife Sure Helps for Living Cheaply and Retiring Early

A frugal wife... I've had one for 36 years, it is a big reason why we have been retired for the last 17 years... I retired early in 1994 at age 49, a lot of the credit goes to my frugal wife. Can you retire early without a frugal wife? Sure, it's just a lot harder.

Being frugal, some would call cheap, that does not offend us, is a way of life. She picked up her frugal spending habits from her dad... He had to be frugal, widowed when my wife was two, he worked three jobs to keep the family together... difficult in the 1950s.

Some of the ways that she saves include;

Using coupons religiously
Buying in bulk
Planning her shopping trips
Shopping at Goodwill and other thrift consignment shops

She makes saving money a game, and she is very good at it. Every Wednesday and Sunday she scours the paper for coupons and then plans her shopping around using those coupons. Some stores have double or triple coupon days, why not take advantage and shop when it's to your best advantage?

When she buys our staples in bulk...things like toothpaste, razor blades, toilet paper, deodorant, etc....she avoids a rushed trip to the store to replace something that we've run out of. If you run out of a staple, and have to make an unplanned shopping trip, the chances of finding that staple at the best price are nill... you got to have it you pay what they're asking. You are almost guaranteed to be wasting money.

Goodwill should not be something you only sing in a Christmas carol...the Goodwill store will offer you a lot bang for your clothing dollar and other necessities.

It is not too late to become a frugal wife, it's just a matter of knowing how to spend your money wisely... We can show you how.

Frugal Living - Frugal Wife Sure Helps for Living Cheaply and Retiring Early

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Living Cheap

Living Cheap

Does living cheap mean being miserable, or giving up what you want? Not at all. In my own case, it meant getting the things I really wanted. Spend less on each thing or activity, and you can have more of them, right? The key is to spend less and still get what you need and want. I'll tell you how I managed it.

Living Cheap - Housing

The first house I owned was a mobile home on a small lot. I paid less than ,000, and had payments of 7 per month. With taxes, insurance and repairs, it still cost less than rent. With three bedrooms, an expanded living room, and a nice fenced-in yard, it was very comfortable. Eventually I sold it for ,000.

Two things that I did made it even cheaper. First, I paid down the mortgage as much as I could when I was working. Within five years I owed nothing, and from that point on it cost an average of 0 per month to pay for the utilities, phone, garbage collection, taxes, insurance, and repairs. This is living cheap.

It became even cheaper when I found that I could easily rent the other two bedrooms. I got per week for one, and or more per week for the other, and I included all utilities. I found decent young guys to rent to, and the rents added up to 0 per month, making this more than cheap living, and even better than free housing. I was making 0 per month AND living for free.

Living Cheap - Think And Plan

With lower expenses I could work less, so I could get by without a car. This saved even more money. An occasional bus fare, and the used bicycle I bought didn't add up to a fourth of what it cost to have a car. I needed to plan my trips around town a little better, but it was worth it.

Until I was almost 40, I never paid more than for a piece of furniture. You have to know what is important to you. I DID pay 0 for a high-tech sleeping bag, because ultralight backpacking was important to me. On the other hand, since I couldn't tell the difference between a nice, clean used couch for and one that cost 0, I bought the former.

I found that when I worked less, I had time to more carefully consider my options. Time can save a lot of money. I paid half of what others paid for groceries, and when I did get a car, I found a repossessed one worth much more than what I paid. When I went to Ecuador for a month, it cost ,040, including airfare, hotels, meals, a guided climb up a 21,000-foot mountain - everything. It was possible because I had time to search for the deals.

I never cared much for jobs, and I worked only part-time for years. I played chess, wrote poetry, and read good books. I traveled several times a year. I met the love of my life in South America (happily married for almost 5 years now). This was all possible not because I made a lot of money, but because I spent less than I made, and used the difference for the things that mattered to me.

This article isn't meant as a how-to guide. I explain how I traveled and bought things so cheaply in many other articles. This is simply to get you thinking about the possibilities, and to point out some principles. What are the principles? Find ways to pay less without getting less. Don't buy things you don't need. Spend a less time working and more time thinking. Stay out of debt. Finally, know what is truly important to you, because this is what you can have more of by living cheap.

Frugal Living - Living Cheap

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Living on a Sailboat - A Fun and Frugal Way to Retire

Living on a Sailboat - A Fun and Frugal Way to Retire

Living on a sailboat may be an option for you to look at. If you are contemplating retirement, and are looking for a fun frugal way to do so, consider living on a sailboat.

We did so for 8 years in the Caribbean. What did we know about sailing ...not much, so don't let lack of knowledge or experience stop you.

We were introduced to sailboat living in a 4 hour shore excursion from a cruise ship that stopped in St Thomas. A 36 footer with 6 guests and captain and mate.

It was love at first sight; we talked to the boat owners, a young couple having fun. They gave us the initial push and 5 years later we toasted the cruise ships as they left St Thomas harbor from our cockpit.

So you don't need to have salt water in your veins to enjoy living aboard a sailboat. You pick it up as you go. We had a ball for 8 years, never leaving the Caribbean... Venezuela to the Virgin Islands. You can do it too.

Myths about cruising:

·         Pirates, never saw any, never heard of any in our 8 years

 

·         You have to be a great sailor...wrong... 99% of the time you are stopped and enjoying life

 

·         You need to be mechanic to cruise...just some basic skills

 

·         You can't get spare parts...some islands can be a customs hassle, but you can get what you need

 

·         It's not safe...not only did we not hear of pirates, we never had an uncomfortable situation

 

·         It's expensive...wrong, wrong...we spent about ,000 a month and lived the life of Riley

 

·         Hurricanes...during the summer we pulled the boat out of the water and went back to the US

 

Living on a sailboat is none of the above. You find you have a lot of company and the cruising community is a tight knit bunch.

Are you running out of objections  to this great way to retire frugally? You can do this.

The lifestyle in the islands is just what you think it would be, very laid back...no one in a hurry. If you expect things to be done like they are at "home" you should stay "home". If you want to enjoy life surrounded by locals who are 24/7, come on down.

You may want to visit some docks and talk to the liveaboards . I bet you can find someone who has cruised in the Caribbean. Pick their brain. Most cruisers are friendly and helpful to newbie's.

Living on a sailboat... a great fun and frugal way to retire. Enjoy 

Frugal Living - Living on a Sailboat - A Fun and Frugal Way to Retire

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Living Frugal in an RV - Living Frugal Can Be Fun

Living Frugal in an RV - Living Frugal Can Be Fun

Living frugal in an RV does not mean doing without. This is a very fun and rewarding lifestyle that more and more folks are enjoying.

The current economic climate is forcing more and more folks to rethink their retirement plans. If your 401K is a now a 150K you have a lot of company.

Consider living frugal in an RV as a way to still retire to a fun lifestyle. I heard one RVer put it the best..."I don't care where I live as long as I have a steering wheel in the living room." I met him and his wife in Yellowstone where they worked in the summers. They had been full time RVing for 10 years at the time.

So if 2008 and 2009 have sent you lemons...living frugal in an RV is a great way to make lemonade.

Living in a RV is also a great vehicle (sorry) to locate your more permanent retirement location. We RVed for 6 years before we decided on retiring to Arizona. By the end of the six years we were pretty sure that we had seen enough of other places. An RV is a great way of preventing an expensive mistake. You can stay where you want to retire for as long as you want before making that final decision.

Living frugal in an RV is easy with no sacrificing. You can travel where you want without incurring hefty motel bills. You are bringing your motel with you...and you never have to unpack.

If you find certain places you really enjoy, you will spend more time at each of your favorite spots. This is very frugal since parks will give you a big discount for a stay of a month or more. 0 a month is usually doable as an idea. That is equal to 2 to 3 nights in a motel.

Consider living frugal in an RV as a great way to retire and have fun. Enjoy.

Frugal Living - Living Frugal in an RV - Living Frugal Can Be Fun

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Frugal Living - Tips That Will Help You Live the Frugal Life Without Depriving Yourself

Frugal Living - Tips That Will Help You Live the Frugal Life Without Depriving Yourself

If you've decided to give frugal living a shot then give yourself a pat on the pack. Most people associate frugal living with deprivation and sacrifice. This assumption is far from being true. It is not about depriving yourself. It is about being wise about how you manage your funds so you can live a comfortable life.

If you're not sure where to start, here's an easy tip that will get you going on the right path:

Brown bag your lunch to work or school

Brown bagging your lunch can easily save you a couple hundred (possibly thousands depending on the individual) per year.

There are several reasons you should brown bag your lunch

1. Your lunch is homemade so it will be healthier then eating out. You know what you put in your food and are not eating processed foods that are fried and rich in saturated oils and bad fats. Not only that but, a homemade meal will always taste better.

2. You will save a lot of money. It is estimated that most people spend at least ten dollars everyday on their lunch break. That adds up to over three thousand dollars a year. Brown bagging your lunch should cost you no more than 1-3 dollars a day. That adds up to a savings of seven to nine dollars a day and more than 00 per year.

One of the easiest brown bag lunches are sandwiches. Sandwiches are cheap and you don't have to do a lot to make it delicious. Just go crazy and add your favorite meat, vegetables, and condiments. Packing two sandwiches will surely keep you full throughout the day. One can also use leftovers to brown bag there lunch. Leftover dinner meals from the night before can surely make a great lunch.

Here are some tips to making sure you stay consistent:

Prepare your meal the night before- Don't wait till morning time to prepare your lunch. Mornings are usually crazy and are not the time to try to do anything other than get ready for work or school. If you wait till morning there is a good chance you will run out of time and decide not to do it all together. Thus it is important to prepare you lunch the night before

Pack Snacks- Even with brown bagging your lunch, there is still a good chance that you may get hungry and decide to go out for more food or hit the vending machine. Packing healthy snacks will ensure that you do not get hungry. Munching on snacks such as nuts, fruits, and yogurt throughout the day will surely be all you need to keep you full until dinner time.

If you are consistent with it, brown bagging your lunch as opposed to eating out can save you thousands of dollars every year.

Frugal Living - Frugal Living - Tips That Will Help You Live the Frugal Life Without Depriving Yourself

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Frugal, Simple Living and Downsizing

Frugal, Simple Living and Downsizing

It's difficult to pinpoint when the simple living movement began. With the exception of royalty and the elite class, our ancestors were the poster children for simple living. The difference between these distant generations is that those in the past did not have a choice, whereas those choosing the simple life today do so voluntarily.

An overarching objective for modern-day practitioners of simple living is to reduce their environmental footprint. Hallmarks of simple living include using less energy and fewer resources, and producing less output. Those living simply may buy food in bulk or from the farmers market, avoid using items that have a lot of packaging, and recycle.

The personal benefits of simple living are numerous. Consuming consciously, mindful of one's true needs and the impact of choices made, provides a sense of control over the immediate environment. This sense of control leads to a less stressful lifestyle. Although counter to what consumerism preaches, living beneath one's means to allow for more discretionary time and income creates balance in the checkbook and in life. The "simplicity movement" has taken root within several age groups and socioeconomic groups across the country that want to slow down and make work more meaningful, make time with family and friends a higher priority, and make community service a commitment.

Personal growth is a natural development of simple living. Most often, this growth is attributable to a new conception of money. In pursuit of the American Dream, most Americans equate money with happiness. Yet, the Maryland-based Center for the New American Dream released a study that noted 83 percent of survey respondents wanted more time to spend with their family and 60 percent would take a salary cut to get it. This proof that you can't buy happiness is also intuitive to those seeking simple living. Those content with the simple lifestyle understand that voluntary simplicity is about satisfaction, not sacrifice.

Reducing wasteful living space is one important element of simple living. Home downsizing is one way to seek a simple and sustainable way of life. Compared to the ambition of keeping up with the Joneses, simple living seeks to achieve more with less: less house, less furniture, less-if any-garage space, less-if any-lawn. Lessening of one's environmental footprint takes a giant leap forward by home downsizing, as less energy is used per square foot and less property maintenance means less air pollutants from lawn service equipment. For those downsizing to a small home or condo in an urban area, the family car may also be targeted for dismissal. In the city, commuting to work and running errands can be in the form of taking the bus or subway, walking or riding a bike. Reduced fuel emissions are big items on the simple-living checklist.

Downsizing one's living space works hand in hand with simple living. Contrary to the endless and excessive cycle of buying more stuff to fill more space, then more space for more stuff, living simply looks to buy less stuff. And when there is less space for the stuff, the temptation or compulsion to buy is negated. Those who once thought they needed to buy stuff to fill up holes now stop buying in excess because there are no holes to fill.

Frugal Living - Frugal, Simple Living and Downsizing

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