Frugal

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Comment: Hi Barb, This is great advice....: Note: This aidpage was started as a comment on "Comment to those seeing help financially"

Hi Barb, This is great advice. When hard times hit, people want to remain in the 'lifestyle they have become accustomed to', but this may have to change. One may need to move to a cheaper house, apt, etc. And we cannot 'wait' until the last minute. Also, most people 'fail to plan'. Everyone needs: an emergency fund. That will at least give one a little time to work with that life changing event. One needs to adopt a life of 'frugality'. This does not mean being 'cheap' or doing without. One can be really frugal in some areas an splurge a little in others. We need to decide what is really important. Keeping up with the 'Joneses' is not important. Because if we 'perpetrate', then the first time we have a hardship, we will not have the money to cover it. It is better to live 'lower' than our means than to live above our means. To many people live above their means. Sometime, we try to live within other people means. Meaning, if I have to borrow money from friends, family, etc just to 'keep up'a certain lifestyle, then I am living above 'my means'. We need to live a more simple life. And we need to realize what is a 'luxury' and what is a 'need'. Half (or more) of the things we have are 'luxuries'. Let me give you an example. Alot of people complain about needing 'diaper/pampers'. If they would use 'cloth' diapers, then these are reusable. People have used cloth diapers (and rubber panties) for centuries. They have done just fine. In the United States, we have become so used to 'convenient items' that we have come to believe it is a 'need'. It is not. All we are doing is just making these big companies that produce these items rich. They get richer while the common man gets poorer. That is why they call us 'consumers'. By the way, we 'consume to much'. Thank you for reminding people on how to be frugal,
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Comment to those seeing help financially: I live on less than $900 a month, but I have some help with my morgage from a son that lives with me. I get food stamps, and I have county medical because of my health, my prescriptions are free thru the drug companys that make them. I have been living below the poverty level for many many years, and I got a little scared when I was having dental problems, but I have found out that the county clinic does have the dental services that I need, but I have to get there very early in the am. I am very frugal and we are not starving, We are comfortable, I don't care for fancy things, I'm happy satisfied with the simple things in life.This is a few ideas that some of you might use. Number one, you won't go to jail if you have medical bills.You need to make a list of what bills HAVE to be paid NOW! I know that credit card bills and loans and such will get larger if you don't pay them but I'm sure that if you call them and explain your situations like a medical emergency ect, they will undertand and you can either put it off for a while or pay a smaller amount.If they don't understand, well you've done your best, you have to eat and have utilities, and have shelter. If your home is being forclosed you need to decide if it's cheaper to keep it or move. I would look into any agency available to help with utilities ect. If you have a cell phone turn it off and use it for emergencies only. Try to quit smoking, dont buy junk food and alcohol. Go to food banks, or shop for your breads ect at a bread thrift store, look in the reduced meats for your meats if you have a freezer stock up, stock up when things go on sale.Especially when things are buy one get one free, buy your toiletries at Family Dollar or Dollar General. I know when you feel desperate and have kids and all that you panic and don't think straight, take a moment and breath, grab a pencil and paper and make lists, go thru the phone book, look around you and see if you can sell something, call friends and neighbors, call churches. This is all I can give is advise,I have lots of ideas on being frugal. I don't have money but I do have prayers, if anyone needs to talk contact me thru aidpage and we can email privatly.
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