Frugal Mainers like to save money! (Hope: house, maintenance, organic)

[Elcarim]

My grandmother grew up in the days where you recycled everything you possibly could out of pure necessity - nothing to do with protecting our environment. She's still living that way today.

She saves all grocery bags for the trash cans, all bread ties (still can't figure out what she'll ever do with that drawer full she has) and keeps her daily newspaper plastic sleeves to bag up wet and smelly stuff before it goes into the trash. She also washes and reuses ziplock bags. She did hang her clothes out to dry until she got too feeble to go outside by herself and walk the uneven yard. She still has the family shop for her at the farmer's market near her and gets Mom and my aunt to cook and freeze everything into "TV Dinner" plates that she has. She keeps ALL newspaper to use for various things like washing glass/windows/mirrors, soaking up spills so she doesn't waste too many paper towels, lining the fruit/veggie drawers in the fridge, etc.

I think she needs to write a book - 101 Ways to Recycle!!

[deerislesmile]

I think the biggest money-saver that we Mainers practice is the philosophy of "if it ain't broke... don't fix it"- I think collectively, Mainers are much less bothered by the physical appearance of "stuff" and more concerned with the functionality of it. Not too long ago, someone stated that high taxes/fees were the reason that many Mainers drive cars that (basically look like crap), but I think it's more of the fact that if a car is mechanically fine, and safe to drive, that we aren't very concerned about a little dent or mis-matched paint now and again. Not just cars, though- I think many of us practice this way of thinking in many, many areas of daily living. In fact, this way of being is so ingrained in me, I am having a hard time thinking of an actual example- I have many things that *could* be replaced in favor of prettier, newer versions, but as long as the old one is serving it's purpose, I don't have a need for the newer and prettier...

I also have a (limited) knowledge of how things work and am not afraid to give it a go myself before calling in a "professional" for a service/repair- I took great pride when I fixed my own washing machine instead of calling and paying someone else $100 to come and do it for me.

And I'll admit it- I pick the dump. Yes, I am a dump-picker. We actually have a seperate building here where people leave stuff that is usuable to *someone*, instead of just throwing it on the piles. Sometimes it's a bunch of garbage, but I have also found a few treasures there over the years- and what I couldn't use myself, I sold through a local resale shop.

[treeluvr]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

My grandmother grew up in the days where you recycled everything you possibly could out of pure necessity - nothing to do with protecting our environment. She's still living that way today.

She saves all grocery bags for the trash cans, all bread ties (still can't figure out what she'll ever do with that drawer full she has) and keeps her daily newspaper plastic sleeves to bag up wet and smelly stuff before it goes into the trash. She also washes and reuses ziplock bags. She did hang her clothes out to dry until she got too feeble to go outside by herself and walk the uneven yard. She still has the family shop for her at the farmer's market near her and gets Mom and my aunt to cook and freeze everything into "TV Dinner" plates that she has. She keeps ALL newspaper to use for various things like washing glass/windows/mirrors, soaking up spills so she doesn't waste too many paper towels, lining the fruit/veggie drawers in the fridge, etc.
I think she needs to write a book - 101 Ways to Recycle!!

Your grandmother (and some of us who post here) remember when there were no ziplock bags or paper towels, or many things that are taken for granted now--We know there are options to spending money on throwaways.

My parents, who were youngsters during the Depression, were extremely frugal. I hated it when I was a child (all the hand-me-downs and stuff from rummage sells), but now I just feel so grateful for what I learned from them. Just a "self"-observation: as I get older, I am becoming much more frugal. When I was in my twenties and thirties and new to having money that I could spend as I wished, I was a bit of a spendthrift. Now, I really think I get as much enjoyment out of pinching pennies as did spending them earlier.

[moughie]

Originally Posted by treeluvr

. Now, I really think I get as much enjoyment out of pinching pennies as did spending them earlier.

I know that feeling well. Only hope my children are watching and learning too!

[mollysmiles]

Originally Posted by deerislesmile

I think the biggest money-saver that we Mainers practice is the philosophy of "if it ain't broke... don't fix it"- I think collectively, Mainers are much less bothered by the physical appearance of "stuff" and more concerned with the functionality of it. Not too long ago, someone stated that high taxes/fees were the reason that many Mainers drive cars that (basically look like crap), but I think it's more of the fact that if a car is mechanically fine, and safe to drive, that we aren't very concerned about a little dent or mis-matched paint now and again. Not just cars, though- I think many of us practice this way of thinking in many, many areas of daily living. In fact, this way of being is so ingrained in me, I am having a hard time thinking of an actual example- I have many things that *could* be replaced in favor of prettier, newer versions, but as long as the old one is serving it's purpose, I don't have a need for the newer and prettier...

I also have a (limited) knowledge of how things work and am not afraid to give it a go myself before calling in a "professional" for a service/repair- I took great pride when I fixed my own washing machine instead of calling and paying someone else $100 to come and do it for me.

And I'll admit it- I pick the dump. Yes, I am a dump-picker. We actually have a seperate building here where people leave stuff that is usuable to *someone*, instead of just throwing it on the piles. Sometimes it's a bunch of garbage, but I have also found a few treasures there over the years- and what I couldn't use myself, I sold through a local resale shop.

absolutely true! very good post DeerIsle!! (and I'll rep you for it when I can! )

[moughie]

When you think about it, you realize we all really need so little- warm, secure shelter and food are the most important.

Guess most people confuse what they really need with what they think they want.

[mollysmiles]

I think you're right moughie....and I think some areas of the country promote that "want" more than Maine does

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by moughie

When you think about it, you realize we all really need so little- warm, secure shelter and food are the most important.

Guess most people confuse what they really need with what they think they want.

Does "friends to share happy times with" go under "need", or "want"?

[mollysmiles]

NEED....lol

[Elcarim]

Definitely need! Unfortunately, people here sacrifice relationship for possessions. My sister and her husband own a very successful home building/design firm just north of Houston. They have everything you can imagine, a new BMW and 1 Ton truck every year, 3 homes full of new furniture, annual ski trips to Aspen and trips to Mexico every 3 months.

They both work over 80 hours a week, live in separate houses most of the year, take their trips separately and constantly fight over money. Most of their friends have to do with the business and are involved with them for their money and fringe benefits. They would both tell you they have everything they could ever need - except a life.

I wouldn't trade places with them for anything in the world!