Mary Beth Writes

frugal

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Frugal? Road Trip to New Mexico
May 29, 2021
Posted by Mary Beth

If our finances were stretched we wouldn’t have gone to New Mexico. We are doing fine despite the advice that says one ought to retire with a million dollars in the bank. Imagine that.

Holy Mackerel! Mindful Chickens 12/12/2020
December 12, 2020
Posted by Mary Beth

Yamiche and Weijia licking out the mackerel bowl this morning.

...

I said I would write “mindful things” we did this week. The agenda of “Mindful Chickens” is to spend less money plus be mindful of the environment and our other values at the same time. Sometimes, one of those purposes wins over the other, but we can think before we spend, right?

Who Let the Chickens Out?
December 5, 2020
Posted by Leonard

Mindful Chickens i.e., being frugal and living by our values instead of by blithering consumerism is how this blog started. Yet I seldom post lists anymore about choices Len and I make that hit that marker because I can tell from who follows me that this is not why most of you are here.

Less Lemming, More Living
May 22, 2019
Posted by Mary Beth

Last week I posted an essay railing against our North American/western maniacal consumerism. We are so deep into climate crisis and into destabilizing world poverty caused by the oligarchy of the few.  Something has to give. Plus this: If we are living on $50,000 a year or more, we are already earth’s top 1%. Isn’t this nuts?

The Choosing Season
December 12, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth

“Decision fatigue helps explain why ordinarily sensible people get angry at colleagues and families, splurge on clothes, buy junk food at the supermarket and can’t resist the dealer’s offer to rustproof their new car.

The Arrows of Yore
December 3, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth

I have a weird dark closet in the back of my soul. In it are critical things people have said to me in my life. I rarely consciously think about those old cuts and criticisms, but they are tucked in back there and sometimes I remember them uneasily.

Bowl of Persimmons
Make Persimmon Cookies; Don’t make a Persimmon Life.
November 29, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth

We are new subscribers to “Imperfect Produce” which is a service that delivers imperfect (duh) but safe and flavorful veggies and fruit to your house. This helps to keep “imperfect” produce from being wasted. (https://www.imperfectproduce.com/  I don’t get kickbacks from them.)

Buy Angry
November 17, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth

Frugality is a tool and a weapon. You can use it to be powerful.

What?

Frugality and Privacy
November 4, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth

 “If you aren’t paying for the product, you are the product.”

When one of our kids was 8-years old, Len thought it would be fun to let that kid drive his car. I swear - though I doubt you will believe me - no drinking was involved. Len just really believes in our kids and sometimes this turns into bigger adventures than one would expect.

"Must-Haves" 1/10/2018
January 10, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth

A friend (Thanks, Carol) tweeted this.  

“The term “must-haves” is profoundly unsettling to me.”

For those of us trying to live both frugally and thoughtfully – Yup!

I looked into the website she was responding to; it was coupons for: