Our Frugal Lifestyle

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Passionate about eco-frugality. I used to party hard, clubbing my way from pay-packet to pay-packet. Never getting ahead, just getting by. Then came our much wanted baby with no savings in the bank - only an old car. Changes were made to our lifestyle and we didn't turn back. In the past 6yrs we purchased a flat, found employment, lived below our means, built an emergency fund, purchased a reliable car and saw the financial benefits of our frugal lifestyle. Our only debt is our mortgage. Our aim is to manage our cash flow wisely, pay off our home quickly and eventually work for pleasure, not necessity. Join us on our journey, share insights, tips and tricks to help us and others to get ahead while having a good time.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Buttons and Books

I was posting give-away Guppie Fish and Brazilian Spinach Cuttings on Freecycle. As we needed a few more variety of coloured buttons for Dolly's crafting and new year gift projects, I also posted a request for buttons.

A lady came by to pick up Guppies and Spinach and dropped off these lovely buttons for us.
Beautiful Lolly and Jewel Like Buttons.

They're a great collection of just what we were looking for. Dolly spent a good hour playing, sorting and admiring them. It was a win win all round. I love days like these. Someone also gave us a bottle of champers in exchange for Guppies, I tried to say no but she refused to take it back, so I'll just have to enjoy it :-)

Freecycle is a wonderful way to obtain stuff in a cashless manner that cares for the environment. I've had 8 people come by my home in the past 24 hours to collect guppies and spinach and it's interesting to note they were all women. Is it women who count the pennies and take the opportunities for fabulous frugalness more then men? Or are fish and gardening a gendered domain full of women?

As for my rule of: Whatever new stuff comes into our home the equivalent size - plus some, must leave our home... I followed through by selling a book (bigger then the whole lot of buttons) on Fishpond and posting it. I'm doing well so far with my rule. Lets hope it's not another one of my crazy rules I break off.
Sold a Book - made back the money I had spent to purchase it.
Did you find anything you wanted recently for free and with a good environmental outcome?

4 comments:

  1. And I hope you do enjoy the champers. thanku so much, the guppies have already moved into their new tank and are a bunch of little happy fishies. Should I stumble across any buttons I will drop them into you. Congratulations on your beautiful lil girl, she is a very intelligent child at 4yrs old and speaks to languages fluently. what a great parent :) Cheers my friend Trudie

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  2. Oh they do look liek jewels.

    I am a subscriber of Freecycle in part of Scotland when I was moving home, and sadly it has changed a lot in 6 years. Instead of being a place of giving such as an unwanted wooden chair, or a garage clearout, most of the messages on there are now of 'want- want-want' and not wanting small average things, but a plasma TV, or a computer. Such as shame really.

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  3. My best thing I have ever gotten from Freecycle is a yogurt maker that I love and do use. I received a pasta maker and finally gave it to a friend. He will make pasta. I had decided I never will. I did ask for both. Another year, I received free pecans from a guy who offered them.

    One freecycle poster asked for four laptops that were internet ready and wifi for her four children to do homework.

    Some people never offer anything, but always pop up when there is an offer. They are selling the items. So, now I just give to a church thrift store.

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  4. Loved playing with the buttons in my mother's tin when I was little.

    Sft x

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Thanks for commenting - I love getting feedback, sharing experiences and learning from you.