Being frugal does not mean being cheap.

[Curmudgeoness]

At least it doesn't for me. For all the people who have not visited this group before, I don't want you to be scared away by how cheap we seem to be. For me, it is part survival, and part a game to be frugal. Of course, I don't care if people call me cheap, or stingy, or cheapskate. I am not ashamed.

But I am not cheap. I can tell you about how I reuse plastic bags, and aluminum foil, and paper towels---just about everything but toilet paper. I can tell you about how I always carry a lunch instead of buying out, or how I will make soup when I find my veggies are getting limp instead of (gasp) throwing them out. But that is not what this post is about. It is about frugality, and being conscious of all the consumption that we do in our society. And mostly, being frugal allows me to have money to do things that are sometimes splurges.

I believe that many here also do the same things that I do. I give to charity. Ask my vet if I am cheap---she will tell you that I will do whatever is needed to keep my cat from suffering. I will buy things that are good quality as opposed to cheap---they cost more, and that doesn't seem to be frugal, but they last. I do volunteer work.

So don't be ashamed of being frugal....embrace it. And when you hear about some of the funny things that we do, don't feel sorry for us. We enjoy the game. Join us, but I will be up front with you, it is addicting to find ways to save money.