Kiva: Folks Helping Folks

I have worked in the non-profit industry for most of my adult life. Although I love the helping hand that NPOs provide, I am all too aware of the inefficiency and high overhead that can occur in well-intentioned organizations.

One of the most common catch phrases used by NPOs is "helping people help themselves." Many people, particularly those in affluent nations, don't want to feel as if they are giving people hand-outs, despite that most of us in Western nations have been given the luxury of education, parental support, clean water, ______________ (fill in the blank with whatever common thing we have in rich nations that is denied to most people living on this planet).

Microfinance has become yet another way to help people help themselves. By providing small loans to the working poor, lenders are able to help folks move out of poverty. Microfinance loans have a repayment rate of greater than 95 percent, a rate massive corporations have yet to be able to reach (Chapter 11 as a normal procedure, anyone?). Over the years, small loans given to women have resulted in the betterment of the entire community.

Until fairly recently, banks (usually set up by well-meaning individuals) have been the primary means to creating small loans for the world's poor. But now, you and I can take part in helping our human family.


Kiva was established by Matt Flannery (and his wife, although her name isn't on the website!) while he worked as a computer programmer with TiVo. It was a brilliant idea--use the Internet to allow regular folks to loan money to other regular folks throughout the world. Unlike standard donation practices, you actually get your money back (or have a greater than 95 percent chance that you will get it back) and give it directly to the person in need. Kiva uses the interest charged to fund their offices throughout the world. Since they are not providing social services, their overhead is low and the interest rates are minimal.

NPOs that pool donation to provide community services are wonderful things and are desperately needed. After all, not everyone can be a small business owner. Kiva simply provides another way for us to help our neighbors. It's brilliant.

How does this play into the consciously frugal lifestyle? Well, it's simple. Instead of buying a bunch of gadgets that no one really needs for holiday gifts, why not agree to combine funds to donate to business owners through Kiva? You can increase your lending amount or continue to rotate the same pool of money year after year once the loan has been paid back.


I'm going to talk with my family about using Kiva as our holiday gift giving practice in addition to our usual donations to the Heifer Project International and other non-profit groups. Feel free to join us!

Buddy Budgeting

Anyone who has spent more than five minutes with me has heard about my love of the book Your Money or Your Life: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. I've loaned my copy to numerous friends and frequently give the book as a gift. It is the most comprehensive, socially aware book on personal finance that I have ever read. If there's ever an infomercial for it, I'll be the first in line to sing its praises (with poisoned Kool-Aid and glazed over eyes for full-on devotee effect).

Recently, a friend of mine decided to follow the program in the book. I asked if I could join her. I was my most financially stable when I followed the steps outlined in Your Money or Your Life. But, much like eating healthy and exercising as a temporary fix instead of a lifestyle change, I stopped following the program once I felt financially grounded.

Experts in numerous fields are constantly telling us to use the buddy system when making changes, yet we're so apprehensive about money that we rarely bond with others when we choose to transition our financial lives. But what could be better than having someone support your choices because they are doing the same thing instead of continually repeating, "Sorry Jane. I'm choosing not to spend money eating out this month?"

Buddy systems provide support, accountability and shared wisdom. If you feel alone in your consciously frugal endeavors, consider joining a "simple living circle." These community groups often center around reducing consumption and living in a more socially responsible manner, which inevitably saves money. The New Road Map Foundation (the volunteer organization behind Your Money or Your Life) and The Simple Living Network both have links to local community groups that you can join.

Cultivated Needs

You may have missed it, but Kirsten posted a lovely comment about getting rid of her cell phone on my entry Drop Kick the Debt Devil. She detailed the decision in a hilarious post on her blog, Bright Year. Ok, maybe spilling crap all over your phone isn't funny. But being honest about how annoying cell phones are is brilliant.

I didn't have a mobile phone until about two years ago. I allowed myself to be harassed into getting one. How many times have we heard the "safety" speech? Well, if something happens out on the road...You know, as a woman you should really...Parents, if you care about your children's safety...

How did we survive so long without these vital safety measures? How many times did I have car trouble prior to owning a cell phone only to be left stranded in the wilderness? Oh yeah. None. Each time I had car trouble, some nice person stopped and helped me. I suppose my personal experience with a helpful, kind humanity shouldn't outweigh the manufactured fear we have shoved down our throats every single day.

Yet I haven't eliminated my cell phone yet. Last month, I used twenty minutes worth of call time. It was a nifty thing in the beginning, but now it does nothing but annoy me. I forgotten to take it with me countless times while driving in Los Angeles, managed to get lost (which is really why we "need" it, right?) and still eventually found my destination. Sometimes I leave it at home so that I can enjoy a meal, film or time with friends without being interrupted.

It makes me wonder, how much stuff do we pay for that we don't really need but have been convinced that our well being depends on it? If it's not our safety that's threatened, it's our comfort, enjoyment or socio-economic status.

Take cable television for instance. Most budgeting gurus will tell you to drop to basic cable. I say, drop the cable. If you have an Internet connection, you can view most shows (or the best segments of them) for free through TV Torrents or YouTube. You can also have a viewing party with friends who do have cable to watch favorite shows.


Magazines. How will you know the latest trends? I say, how many times have you worn the latest trends, only to look like a moron? Not that I don't love magazines. I just tend to buy them at thrift shops and prefer those that feature recipes instead of the latest uber thin model pushing something I'll never wear.

Where in your own life do you feel convinced that you need something? Do you spend a fortune on specialized products to combat aging or germs? Can you recall a point in your life before this needed item took up residence in your budget? What would happen if you returned to living without it? Could you experiment and try to live without it for a bit?

Thanks again to Kirsten for sharing her story. It's inspiring!

More Cloth to Wash

Continuing with our cloth instead of toss theme, have you ever found yourself buying paper products like napkins because it's easier? No need to wash, just toss. They're really not that expensive either, just a few cents for each napkin.

But it's the "just a few cents" that eat away at opportunities to save more than anything else. The real costs of products are rarely seen. If we had to pay for every aspect of a thing's production--the labor, the energy to produce the item, the water to cool the energy usage, the transportation--we'd buy very little, I suspect.

There was a point in our history where tissues and paper towels were nonexistent. Granted, so was toilet paper, but using washable butt wipe is a bit beyond my frugal meter at the moment. Give me time though. Just give me time. (Kidding. Seriously.)

Despite this fact, we grab onto the new, easier gadget and seem to forget that it's really not necessary. Using cloth napkins isn't all that difficult. The restaurant industry (well, the nicer ones anyhoo) can manage it, why can't we? They're not a big initial investment and are easy to make.

Take a few moments to think about where you use disposable paper products. Perhaps a washable, cloth alternative is available? Handkerchiefs still make a perfect alternative to disposable tissues. My favorite place to find them is at thrift stores and estate sales.

For years I used two dish towels to deal with sopping up grease in the kitchen. Friends poked fun at me until I finally gave in and started using paper towels. I found myself using them for things that could easily have been wiped up by a dish rag. So, more paper towels went in the trash and my money with them. I felt a little uneasy about cutting down trees so I wouldn't have to bother with rinsing and washing a rag. I've decided that the roll I'm currently using will be the last. It's back to the old cloth "grease rag" for me. Thankfully, I have a frugal mother who sews, so I have several tea towels. She makes me a new batch every few years.

There's no need to run out and buy a bunch of fabric to make dish towels or hankies. Perhaps you have some old, tattered bath towels lying about that are no longer suitable for drying? Old towels make for perfect dish and dusting rags. You can turn them into pet bedding, padding for potholders, or anything else your creative brain can muster.

Now we're onto the subject that has made many a friend squirm over the years--washable menstrual pads. This may cross your "oh hell no" threshold, but I certainly hope that's not because you view your monthly cycle as nasty. Ain't nothing nasty about the stuff that gave us all life.


There are many options available for washable menstrual pads. You can purchase them, and other reusable menstrual products, from several sources: Lunapads; Gladrags; Many Moons; and Pandora Pads (still alive and kicking after Katrina). Or, as always, you can choose to make your own. When I was younger and more diligent, I would use washable pads always. Now, I use both the washable and disposable varieties, particularly when I'm going to be out and about. Hopefully at some point, my lazy factor will dissipate and I can return to my previous fierce and frugal earth mama self.

So, before you buy that disposable paper product (or anything else for that matter), think of the real cost in producing it. Perhaps you have something at home you could use instead? Or maybe one, small initial purchase will make certain you never have to spend your money there again?

Why Toss When You Can Wash?

Despite my continual harassment for grand babies, only one of my friends is pregnant at the moment. The most common complaint friends have when I pester them about having babies is the expense of children. It's certainly true that life is cheaper without offspring (or dogs, cars and vanity), however having kids doesn't need to break the bank. When I see well intentioned parents drowning their children in toys or neglecting their retirement accounts to build a college education fund, I wonder if all the expenses associated with having a family are really necessary.

The first and most unappealing expense associated with children are diapers. Children can expect 6,000 diaper changes during their brief time in infant and toddler land. That adds up to quite a chunk of money tossed in the landfill. Combine the sheer waste of millions of diapers and we have a consciously frugal parent's conundrum.

Some people are hesitant to use cloth diapers. You've probably heard unpleasant stories of needing to soak, flush, pin and every other kind of stinky handling job imaginable, as if changing a dirty diaper wasn't fun enough. No wonder disposable diapers are so popular!

But things have changed. Gone are the pins of yesterday. Cloth diapers now have Velcro and snaps. Cleaning them is easier and despite the costs of washing, they're still cheaper than the disposable variety. If you consider the cost of manufacturing and transporting each package of disposable diapers you buy, there really is no comparison.

If you don't want to buy disposable diapers you can make them from old or new material. Cloth diapers can be used for years, so if your family grows the initial investment of time or money will not have to be spent again.

As a new parent, you may feel too exhausted to behave like past generations. With feedings at 2 a.m., who has the energy to wash diapers a few times a week? That is exactly the song and dance you must sing to kind friends who plan baby showers. Explain that you want to tread a bit more lightly on the earth, reduce your baby's chances of diaper rash and save money in the long run. But boy, jeez, golly...wouldn't it be nice to have a diaper service offered for the first three to six months of Junior's life? Chances are, instead of receiving 14,000 different binkies and rattles at your baby shower, you'll find yourself free to use cloth diapers without the trouble of washing them thanks to your loving, attentive friends.

Random Tidbits

Have you ever found yourself half way through a recipe only to realize that you're out of eggs? Do you tell yourself that you're going to learn how to change the oil in your car just so you don't have to listen to the mechanic try to talk you into purchasing things you don't need? Here are a few random tips to help you navigate tiny speed bumps like these without resorting to overspending or unnecessary shopping trips--

1. Baking. Instead of running to the market to fetch eggs when you're out and a recipe demands the little protein wonders, substitute one heaping tablespoon of soy flour and one tablespoon of water.

A splash of vinegar in regular milk will substitute for buttermilk in a pinch.

2. Cars. Check the price of materials on your car maintenance bills. When I was in college, I discovered that an auto shop charged me three times the retail cost of every product used. Naturally, I found a different mechanic who encouraged me to buy oil on sale. I could purchase it cheaper than he could offer with his required retail markup. Of course, one of the best ways to save is to learn how to do routine maintenance on your car. Unfortunately, my lazy threshold is too high for such things at this point in time.

3. Toothpaste. Baking soda and water make for a fabulous toothpaste, if you don't mind the awful taste. After looking at the ingredients in my usual paste, I've opted to start using all natural products like Tom's of Maine. You can also make your own toothpaste with the following recipe:
a. Mix three parts baking soda with one part table salt.
b. Add three teaspoons of glycerin for every 1/4 cup of dry mixture.
c. Add enough water to make a thick paste. A few drops of peppermint
oil may be added to improve the taste.
d. Brush away. Store unused toothpaste at room temperature in a covered
container.
I have never used the above recipe, as I'm not inclined to purchase glycerin and peppermint oil. However, baking soda and water alone may not be your cup of tea!

4. Cleaning products. Those who know me will claim that I should not speak on this subject, as I never clean. They're partially correct. I only clean when I have company coming over. Which reminds me, my mother is coming to visit next week. Would anyone like to swing by and help me pick up? I promise I won't ask you to use any harmful, toxic cleaning products found in most households.

Not only does baking soda work as a toothpaste, it can scrub materials without scratching (think friendly Ajax). It can be used as a deodorizer in the refrigerator, on carpets and upholstery. Pour a little down a drain followed by some vinegar and you'll not only help clean out the drain, you'll have a lovely volcano to watch bubble up. Baking soda can also clean and polish aluminum, chrome, jewelry, porcelain, silver, and stainless steel. It also softens fabrics and can remove stains.

Vinegar can dissolve mineral deposits, grease, remove traces of soap, mildew or wax buildup and deodorize. Vinegar cleans brick, stone, and carpeting. Use vinegar to clean out coffeepots and shine windows without streaking.

Although the lunatic ramblings on the bottles are a little disconcerting, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps work well for cleaning your body, clothes, dishes and floors. It's a natural option you can buy in bulk that has multiple uses. As you're reading the labels, keep in mind that Dr. Bronner was committed to a mental institution many moons ago and escaped three times before finally landing in California. Thankfully for the "doctor," we like our crazy hippies out here in lala land.

Stay tuned for more random tidbits to help you live a consciously frugal life!

Drop Kick the Debt Devil

Perhaps you've heard of these brilliant people who pay their credit card bills in full each month. They are like mythical creatures--Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and People Who Have No Debt.

If you don't yet have mythical status, fear not. You're like most Americans. And quite frankly, feeling fearful about debt doesn't fix it. It only stresses us, giving a host of problems that very likely don't do anything to decrease debt and may actually only make it worse.

Fix It & Forget It

To relieve some of the stress associated with debt, sit down with your monthly budget and figure out how much you can realistically pay. It's important that the word "realistically" play out in budgeting. You must have a fierce commitment to put every last dime toward debt. If you know that you're more than likely to get that massage and will just end up charging it because you've given all your cash to the bill, by all means set aside some funds to play with so that you won't end up simply adding more to your credit card at the end of the month because you ran out of cash.

Once you've figured the parameters of your budget, check out the amazing Debt Repayment Plan from Bankrate.com. The program asks you to enter debt amount, interest rates, minimum payments and if you have any extra cash that you can put toward your debt. It then creates a payment plan for you. I was shocked by how it took something so overwhelming (I have student loan, auto and credit card debt) and made it seem manageable. To see the debt on paper, with an easy payment plan was actually calming. Can you imagine? Calmed by looking at debt! In reality, it's watching debt dwindle that soothes the soul.

Once you have your soothing plan in place, start an automatic payment schedule from your online banking center and forget about it. There's no need to stress or worry, because you're drop kicking the debt devil every month, automatically. If you don't want to completely push it out of your mind, put up a wall chart and note how each month, the amount owed continues to decline. After awhile, you can begin to move more money into savings and watch that line rise. It may become your favorite piece of art.

Freeze It

I'm sure you've heard this trick before--freeze your credit cards. Just put them in a container of water and stick them in the freezer. Thawing them will take too much time and will provide you a chance to rethink that crazy purchase.

Personally, I think this tactic is ridiculous. I tried it back in college. Being a resourceful gal, I simply ran the ice block under some hot water and was out the door for a useless shopping spree in no time. Perhaps the ice will perform a Jedi mind trick on some folks. It didn't help my compulsive behavior back in the day.

Another suggestion is to cut up all your cards. That's a great idea--until you have to rent a car or purchase a plane ticket. And if I refer to my college self again, I recall doing that dandy trick and then using the account number off of my bill to order something online.

But the concept remains the same, whether you douse your cards in ice and scissors or not. The point is to create some barrier between you and the spending behavior. For me, seeing a visual of the debt I have stops me in my tracks. I have a wall chart I created by following the plan in Your Money or Your Life. Your Money or Your Life is by far the best book for frugal living in print. It addresses the larger social and environmental implications of our choices and asks us to carefully examine our spending behavior in relation to our values. It also suggests putting up a wall chart that notes income, debt and savings. Seeing cold hard numbers has done more for me than the freezer ever could.

Get Help

Perhaps you've reached the end of your debt rope and are about to hang. Once again, fear not! The non-profit organization Consumer Credit Counseling Services can help you. Make sure that you choose a credit counseling organization that does not require large fees or makes promises of your debt disappearing without any effort.

Be prepared. If you decide to consolidate your debt and begin a repayment plan with a CCCS program, you will be asked to cut up your credit cards and will be booted out of the program if you use them. But for those deep in debt with no way out, it is an excellent service. They will negotiate with your creditors for you (legitimate branches have already developed partnerships with credit card agencies) which will often result in a reduction in interest rates, sometimes reducing rates to zero.

However, if you have a stellar credit rating, joining such a repayment program may damage your credit report. That doesn't mean you shouldn't ask for help. It may be a good idea to seek debt counseling services even with good credit, as they may be able to offer other suggestions. Call credit card companies and ask for a reduced rate. Threaten to move your balance to a company that has given you a better offer. It may take a few calls, but be persistent. They want your money and will work with you to get it.

Generate Income

Obviously, the more money you can put toward your debt, the faster you'll see it disappear. If you have an iron will, you may choose to take a second job to knock out debt in record time. If you do this, please tell me about it. You are like a god to me, and I must know the power of your ways.

For the lazy among us who would rather get a hot cattle prod in the eye than work more, there are other ways to find extra cash. Cutting back in areas where you currently overspend is probably the easiest. You can pick through this blog to find ways in which to cut spending.

Before you reach out to purchase that new item, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do I need it? It's important not to confuse want with need. It's also important to note that it's perfectly fine to have wants. But if debt is keeping you awake at night, make sure the want of this new object is greater than your want for peace of mind.

2. What is the true cost of this gadget? This question has two parts: what is the environmental and social cost of this item, and how long will I have to work to pay for it? Purchasing a facial or massage from someone who uses eco-friendly products produced locally doesn't have near the impact that a new plastic gadget made by a nine year old in India has. And although you may think you make certain amount per hour at your job, remember all the costs associated with working. Figure out your real hourly wage by including the time it takes to get ready for and commute to work. Don't forget to include the cost of gas, specialized "work clothes," meals on the run and other hidden costs. After you've gathered all the figures, determine your actual hourly wage. Is that gadget worth working that many hours to own?

3. Do I already own something that will do the job? You can make your own skin care products from pantry items or cut up an old t-shirt for cleaning rags instead of buying something to take care of those needs. Get creative and see if you can use what you already own.

If you've asked yourself all those questions and still want to buy the item, wait. Find what amount of time works for you. If in a store, I need 10 minutes. If it's an online purchase, I need 24 hours. Other folks' "sanity regaining time" may be shorter or longer. The point is simply to step away so that the shine of the new gem doesn't distort your view. If after the break you decide you still want it, by all means, buy it.

The media bombards us with stories about how in debt we are. It's not a lie. I just don't think we need to be afraid of it. Quite frankly, the culture of fear we're steeped in these days is wearing me out. Credit cards can be extremely useful tools and we need not treat them as if they are our masters. With persistence and mindfulness, we can all eventually reach the stage of becoming mythical creatures who pay our credit card bills in full each month.

Boston Legal Does Credit Cards

The show is annoying, yes. But it has William Shatner and the best monologues in the world from James Spader's character. Here's a beautiful bit on the demon that is the credit card industry.

Car Wars

According to a report published in 2003 in The Guardian, motor vehicles are responsible for about one-third of global oil use, but for nearly two-thirds of oil use in the United States (for more facts on the environmental impact of cars, check out the National Bicycle Greenway site).

Our dependency on oil has created catastrophic results. Big oil has married with government, resulting in disastrous political policies. Instead of investing in alternative energies, the United States government has opted to invest in acquiring and protecting access to oil. It seems counter intuitive--why would we risk lives and pour more money into acquiring a finite resource that has already reached diminishing returns?

Sadly, we need only look in the mirror to see the answer. Choosing to drive instead of walk to nearby locations, own multiple autos per family and purchase items produced in far away locales has only resulted in a growing dependency and use of oil. Although we might not be able to change our government policies overnight (although last November's elections were a good start!), we can make immediate changes in our behaviors that will lessen our dependency on oil and the environmental and social impacts of that dependency.


Feet, Buses and Shared Automobiles

My esthetician and all around good gal, Kenya, has made a radical change. After their car gave up the ghost, she and her husband decided that they wouldn't replace it. They moved closer to their places of employment (Kenya's dream skin care experience can be found at Chrome Spa) and chose to walk and use public transportation. Instead of complaining about Los Angeles' notoriously crappy public transport system, they've conquered it and assert that it's not as bad as we've been led to believe.


When they do need a car to get from point A to point B, they whip out their Flexcar membership. Check out the link and learn more about this extraordinary program.

Kenya has chronicled their carless adventures on her blog, Wheeling to Share. In one of my favorite entries, she asks "how much more fun would our city streets be if we were each using our own internal horsepower to propel our scooter along and, at the same time, making our own engine noises? vroom, vroom." Can you imagine? Folks walking, riding skateboards and their bikes, making fun kid sounds? What a hilarious, joy-filled world that would be!

Take Kenya's lead and use your feet, bike or public transport for short trips. I've recently taken to walking to my local farmer's market. I know it will be a much slower trip than if I were dashing the less than one mile in my car (which I used to do regularly!), so I take my time. I stop and talk with neighbors who are also out on foot. I sit and listen to musicians playing at the market while I enjoy a nice cob of roasted corn. Instead of a shopping chore, it's become one of my favorite weekly ventures.

Consolidate Use

If you live in a rural area without public transportation, it's easy to decrease auto use with some careful planning. Consolidate as many trips into one outing as possible. Grab a map and plan the quickest route to take care of grocery and school supply shopping on your way to the post office.


For those everyday trips like taking the kids to school or getting to work, carpool or share the responsibility with neighbors. It's not only a great way to save on gas, it fosters a sense of community. What starts out as simply sharing the work load of getting kids to school can grow into a group of friends who engage in monthly Mommy dinner dates. You may even choose to begin saving money by creating a bulk buying club or shared shopping ventures with neighbors.


Take Care of What You Have

I don't know how many times my father told me this. My parents were raised in poverty, eventually earning college degrees and entering the middle class. But they never lost sight of the importance of caring for what you own. My father was nearly OCD about taking excellent care of his belongings!

There are simple things you can do to improve the fuel efficiency and cost of owning a car. Make sure tires are properly inflated. Be mindful of oil changes and other routine maintenance. If you see a problem, don't ignore it. I learned this lesson the hard way. One day I found a small chip on my windshield. Thinking it was nothing, I ignored it. Now, I have a huge crack that will require replacing the entire windshield. Had I taken care of the problem initially, I'd have a much cheaper solution available.

In addition to caring for what you have, make sure to let your Representatives know that you want access to alternative fuel cars. An excellent movie on what happens when consumer demands aren't heeded can be found in Who Killed The Electric Car?

Beware of Vanity

Although my father takes very good care of what he owns, he suffers from a wretched car vanity. I can remember helping him clean the car as a little girl. He took a toothbrush to the tires, making certain every bit of dirt was eliminated (my mother uses toothpicks and Q-tips when cleaning the interior of her car. Is it any wonder I'm a messy gal with such anal parents?!) and would put a very thin layer of baby oil over the car after he finished waxing it. The baby oil made it shine like a sparkly gem.

But it wasn't just the shine that my dad loved, it was the new car look. And like clockwork, he would buy a brand new car every two years. Allowing vanity to control purchasing habits is an expensive vice. Choosing a good car with excellent gas mileage and driving it until you have to cut a hole in the bottom and push it with your feet a la The Flinstones is the smarter choice.

My father never had the advantage of owning an automobile that was paid for and moving the monthly payment into a savings vehicle like a retirement account. As a result, he's had a lifetime of paying for the luxury of a new car smell without the advantage of compounding interest on his savings.

There are other areas where we make silly decisions based on vanity. SUVs have become increasingly popular. SUV owners can expect to pay almost double what sedan drivers will pay in gas. Many folks will say they need the room an SUV affords. If so, what did they do prior to the SUV? Did they spend more time as family instead of driving to countless extracurricular activities? Did they own less stuff because they didn't have the means to haul it around?

I would argue that family sedans offer just as much "needed" room as SUVs and that the pull of huge vehicles has more to do with the power of advertising and keeping up with the Joneses than the actual requirements of getting from point A to point B.

Buy Local

Yes, I'm back to that mantra again. Our dependency on oil isn't just about how we drive but how we buy. Purchasing products made locally reduces the amount of energy used in transporting. Additionally, it supports local economies, improving life for everyone in your community. So, research your community. Find area farmer's markets, Community Supported Agriculture programs and other locally produced items.

It Ain't Perfect, But It'll Do

I remember watching a Saturday Night Live commercial skit not long ago for a disposable toilet. After one flush, you tossed the toilet and spent three hours installing a new one. It was a hilarious comment on our phobia of germs and love of all things disposable. And quite frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if they create a bleach-soaked disposable toilet anytime soon.

How often do you repair things instead of just tossing it and buying something new? A friend of mine refers to her fix-it first philosophy as "Depression mentality." I counter with "it's not Depression era fear, it's socially and environmentally responsible!"

But that's the sort of culture we've created, isn't it? If you don't toss it out and buy a new one, you have "scarcity mentality." I can't tell you how many times I've read an article or watched a television program that supported the notion that buying new items instead of repairing old ones or searching for a used replacement is somehow akin to having a low self-esteem. If the "you have issues" angle doesn't work to manipulate us into buying, we're then told that the very fabric of our well being depends on buying new stuff. If you don't buy, people will lose their jobs (despite the fact that the majority of goods Americans purchase are imported) and the economy will plummet. If you don't buy, you don't feel that you deserve good things.


Hogwash. Not too long ago, we behaved quite differently. We purchased items of a higher quality that were more than likely manufactured within our borders. If an item broke, we repaired it. We wore things out. We shared commodities with neighbors and family members instead of living in isolated bubbles. We didn't measure our worth or sense of self by the amount of crap we owned.

Living a frugal lifestyle often means behaving like folks did not too long ago, perhaps even as people did during the Depression. Instead of viewing such practices as, well, depressing, we can choose to see them as empowering and respectful of the environment. So, before you toss that cracked item, see if you can fix it. If not, perhaps you can pay someone to repair it for you. It's true that sometimes repairing a thing costs about the same as purchasing it new. But we have to stop to ask ourselves--why is that new item so inexpensive? How was it manufactured? Who built it? Do I really want take more oil/wood/whatever it's made of out of the earth to own another copy of this?

I still darn my socks, stitch my bras when the underwire pops out, patch holes in clothes and take my electronics in to be repaired by professionals. If something breaks completely, like my coffee pot most recently, I'll scour my favorite thrift shops to find a replacement. I found a coffee pot that fit at my favorite thrift shop last week (not to mention three copies of one of my favorite books, Suze Orman's The Nine Steps To Financial Freedom for only $3 each. I should have bought a copy for you!). My coffee maker is black and the pot white. So no, it's not perfect, but it will do. My desire to make as little impact on the planet and my wallet as possible is far more important than perfectly matching appliances or bending to false fears of a collapsed economy and low self-esteem.

The Company We Keep

Oh, my fellow frugal friends. I have a horrible confession for thee and a lesson learned to share. I have strayed from the path of the righteous citizen. Forgive me my sins.

Last night I spent the evening with a friend. She refers to herself as "an enabler," but I didn't understand the full impact of that term until we went shopping together. Our original plan was to run to an electronics store so that she could purchase a gift and then run home for a fabulous home cooked meal, a DVD and some conversation.

While out, I remembered that there was a sale going on at a local discount shoe store. I needed a pair of cute, brown shoes I could walk in for my trip to the UK. So, we stopped at the store. I found the shoes I knew were on sale that would be comfortable and cute enough to get the job done for only $20. I was pleased.

Enter The Enabler. She thought the shoes wouldn't provide enough support and found a different pair that cost twice as much. And yes, the shoes offered more support and were more attractive. Ug. Then I hear, "Hey, you're walking more for exercise these days, right? How are your tennis shoes?" Well, actually...not very supportive. "Have you tried athletic socks while working out? They give great support."

All of the sudden, my $20 shopping spree turned into $120. But wait, that's not the worst part.

We went to...Wal-Mart. She wanted to purchase her gadget at the bastion of evil. I went with her and bought her boyfriend's birthday present there as well. I have not been inside that demon of a store since watching Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price.

Now, I'm not saying that my crappy choices were somehow my friend's fault. But if you are prone to excess as I am, watch the company you keep when engaging in trigger behaviors. If you tend to spend too much when shopping for certain items, don't shop with friends who encourage such behavior. Even if you love them.

Most importantly, when someone wants to go to Wal-Mart, just say no. Take a lesson from my sinful ways. It's easy to stray from the righteous path! But like with any other life decision, I simply must confess, recommit and get back on the wagon.

Cheap Love

No, I'm not talking about a new "private" video of Paris Hilton. I'm talking about that lovely holiday that is quickly approaching, Valentine's Day. Or for the unattached among us, Single's Awareness Day.

I know I'm supposed to suggest lots of sweet, self-loving things you could do if you're single on this romance-in-your-face holiday, but I'll spare you. If you want romantic love and it's currently absent, just go buy a bottle of inexpensive wine and get drunk. Yes, you could take a long soak in the tub or make yourself a lovely dinner, but really, who needs all that drama? Just pop the cork and create some instant happy.

For the involved souls who want to do something special for the big V-Day, here are a few tips that won't break the bank. Some of them may seem juvenile but I'm not a big fan of dull maturity in love. Being playful and childlike in romance is like getting a booster shot of joy. Granted, some folks may prefer extremely expensive gifts to the homemade variety, but who really wants to give their love to Mr. or Ms. Show-Me-Your-Affection-By-Spending-Lots-Of-Money-On-Useless-Crap?

Cooking Up Affection

The most expensive times of the year to eat out are New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day. So, skip the formal dining experience and create a little romantic evening at home. As I've mentioned previously, I'm a big fan of learning to cook from scratch and rustling up grub with local, fresh ingredients. But if you have two left thumbs in the kitchen, don't sweat it. There are plenty of pre-made treats in your freezer section that will work in a pinch. You can even order carry out from your favorite (inexpensive) restaurant the day before. Some take out is actually better the next day, particularly if you like spicy dishes found in Thai and Indian cuisine.

My favorite sweet Valentine treat is cake. Well, who am I kidding? I could live off cake alone. To make this sugar addict's staple special, bake a cake in a round pan. After it's cooled, cut a V-shape out of one side. Then, take your two rounded pieces, set them on the opposite end of the V and viola! You have a heart shaped cake. Toss on some frosting, write a sweet message if you'd like, and present to your beloved with nothing more than a smile on your face (and maybe some fuzzy slippers). Ahhh, love.

Look, Ma! I Made It!

Homemade gifts aren't just for kindergartners anymore. Instead of buying some card with a cringe-worthy cheesy rhyme, make your own paper tribute to your beloved. Sweet and silly photos of the two of you combined with genuine sentiments are far more meaningful than anything Hallmark could provide.

Sappy CD music mixes, photo collages, love poems, delicious treats, scarves, sweaters--whatever your special creative talent may be, put it to use. Valentine's Day is supposed to be about love, so give the precious gift of time. Sure, it may take a bit longer to make something than to run out and buy a gadget, but not just anybody can make those amazing chocolate macadamia nut cookies like you do.

You've Gotta Experience It

So, what do you do if you feel about as artistic as a blind squirrel with ADD? Fear not! You can still provide a fabulous Valentine gift and spend little to nothing. Try giving a gift that keeps on giving, one that lives forever in memory. Yes, you guessed it--a strip tease.

Now before you start to panic, don't worry. You don't need pole dancing lessons or Chippendale flat abs. Those ridiculous moments when you feel horribly embarrassed but find yourself profoundly loved are the stuff of romantic legend. So, let go of the inhibitions and take it off!

The festivities don't have to stop after the music ends and your underwear is hanging from the ceiling fan. If your sexual life has fallen into a rut, a Valentine's Day gift of some kinky fun may be just what you need. I don't need to offer you any suggestions here. I can see into your brain, you dirty thing! Instead of fantasizing about it, why not just do it?

If strip teases and naughty lovin' are routine for you, how about providing some other sort of experience to remember? Venture to an unexplored area not too far from home for a picnic or hike. If you're lucky enough to live in an area with lovely weather, get brave and bring summer in a little early by donning your bathing suits and having water hose wars outside. Basically, do something outside of your normal routine that will bring lots of laughter, which is probably something that brought you together in the first place.

May your Valentine's Day be filled with all the love and laughter your heart desires. As with all holidays, using our imaginations in celebrating those we love is far more rewarding to our bank accounts and our relationships than any widget from the WhatNot Factory could ever be.

Multiple Uses

Long ago (in a galaxy far, far away), I used to buy multiple copies of the same gadget. I erroneously thought that it would simplify my life to have X thingy in each room. God forbid I actually have to walk a few steps to grab something!

Eventually, I realized this was an expensive, silly habit. It cluttered, not simplified, my life. Oddly enough, I'd end up losing every copy of whatever thing I owned multiples of, but always kept track of the one-and-only items. Evidence once again that sometimes, less is more.

After reading countless articles about how vital it is to be organized (I'm still not buying the concept that our lives need to mirror the machines of industrialization), I thought I should buy some plastic containers to put in my closets and cupboards to help me achieve the illusion of orderly. But I had trained myself too well at that point. Plastic=petroleum=oil=unhealthy dependency=obtain at any price=war=senseless death. Ok, no plastic gadgets then.

I scoured the house and found a few shoe boxes. They weren't as pretty as plastic containers, but they served the same purpose. And really, who is going to poke through my cabinets and whine because I'm not using pretty plastics?

After awhile, I began to wonder if I couldn't use X thingy for Y need more often. Instead of having multiple copies of the same thing, could I use one thing for multiple purposes? Before I decide to spend money on some "needed" item (in reality, it's just a want more often than not), I rustle through what I already have and see if something else could work.

The old insulated lunch box I used to carry works perfectly for packing toiletries when traveling. Out of eggs? A heaping tablespoon of soy flour combined with a tablespoon of water will work just as well in any recipe. On and on (don't worry, I'll bore you to tears with lists of such things in subsequent entries!).

My new favorite Multiple Use items are olive oil and apple cider vinegar. I use both liberally in cooking (nothing is better that apple cider vinegar on greens!) and have found that they also create inexpensive beauty aides. Although my esthetician, Kenya, may disagree, I've fallen in love with this face cleanser recipe:

1 part olive oil (for one application, use 1 teaspoon)
1 part honey
2 parts apple cider vinegar

But let me warn you, it's a liquid and smells like vinegar! But my skin loves it. Granted, my skin loves virtually any kind of consistent care, but something about this concoction makes it sing.

Another recipe I use on my hair to help lighten and make it shine is:

1 part apple cider vinegar
1 part chamomile tea

Again, it smells like vinegar. I use it as a final rinse in my hair after I shampoo and condition. The vinegar smell will only cling to you if your hair is fried from the dye. Speaking of fried, instead of buying those tiny tubes for "hot oil treatments" on your hair, warm up some olive oil, slather it on your noggin, wrap your head in a plastic bag, cover the bag in a towel and hang out for 20 minutes. It will do wonders!

Finding multiple uses for items not only saves money, it stirs creativity. Please feel free to share your ideas!

Trademark Your Trick

Financial guru David Bach refers to the manner in which we nickle and dime our wealth away as the "Latte Factor." He's actually trademarked the term. If at any point he starts cranking out "Latte Factor" budget guides, binders or mugs, be sure to join me in writing him some hate mail, mmkay? One of my biggest pet peeves is folks who ask you to buy useless stuff in an effort to be more frugal. Not that we all don't enjoy useless stuff, but...

Basically, Bach wants us to pay attention to where we squander small bits of cash in our daily lives. Do you buy an expensive frappuchino machiato muchacha dingaling drink everyday? How often do you hit that vending machine at work? Could you possibly put two pounds of sugar in your drink at home as a substitute for your speciality coffee excursion? Could you buy candy bars in bulk on sale and keep them in your desk drawer instead of feeding the machine a dollar a day?

I've heard a few folks whine about these types of changes, asserting that they "deserve" special treats. We all deserve good things. Is being in debt a good treat? Is neglecting to donate to your favorite charity because you can't afford it the sort of love you deserve? How much of your life are you willing to give to buying stuff that provides only a temporary sense of satisfaction? Getting our spending in line with our values isn't always the easiest task, but the harmony achieved in doing so is the greatest special treat we can give ourselves.

Financial gurus like Bach will tell you that if you invest your daily nickle and dimes, you could end up with a few hundred thousand dollars in thirty years. I've read so much conflicting advice on the validity of stock market returns (and really, more than 80 percent of stocks are held by less than 10 percent of the population, so who is really getting rich here?) that I'm not sure how accurate it is. But there's no doubt that money saved is worth far more than money squandered.

So, let's talk about my version of the "Latte Factor." I don't have a cute trademarked name. I just ask myself, "Can I do with less? Can I stretch this out?"

Stretch It Out

If you're a diva, you probably get your hair done every four weeks. Can you stretch it out to six? I realize for the fake blondes among us, this might be more difficult (oy vey, if you could only see my roots now. Ghastly!), but it can be done. I curl my hair into adorable little ringlets to hide my skanktacular rootage. It allows me to stretch the time between bleaching to eight weeks or, God help us all, even longer. A friend of mine gets a trim to clean up her look in between colorings.

You can use this principle with virtually any service. Experiment. Try asking the maid service to come every two weeks instead of weekly and feel free to send them over to my place in the interim. Out here in Southern California, people water their lawns daily, despite the fact that lawns only need one to two inches weekly. Look at any area of your busy life where you take care of something at regular intervals. Stretch it out to the point where it becomes uncomfortable. When you've reached the "oh hell no" stage, you know where your limits are. Just pull it back a bit and see how much you save.

Do With Less

Most recently, I examined my cell phone bill and realized I used half of the available minutes each month. I suspect I'm like most cell phone users. When I first started using my new fandangled gadget, I blabbed everywhere, simply because I could. In the car? Yack, yack, yack. Who needs to worry about looking at the road? In the grocery store? Blah, blah, blah. Forget those other annoyed shoppers! Look, Ma! I can talk on the phone anywhere!

Enter the $450 bill. After I called the phone company, screaming in horror, they kindly reduced my bill and put me on the more expensive plan. Ah, relief.

Then the newness wore off. The sound of the cell phone ringing started to annoy me. Just like with my home phone, I screened most calls. And whaddya know, my minutes fell drastically, but I was still paying the oh-boy-isn't-this-brand-new-thingy-fabulous?! price. Now that I've switched back to the cheaper plan, I'm saving $240 a year. Invest that in the stock market and in thirty years I'll have... more than I started with.

I applied the same logic to my Netflix subscription. Do I really need to watch three DVDs at once? Is that even physically possible? (Don't forget to check and see if you have a locally owned video rental shop nearby. Sadly, mine closed. Thank you, Netflix!) And why on God's green earth am I having coffee delivered to my door by Gevalia when I can get fair trade beans from a dozen different local sources? Oy vey.

New gadgets aren't the only area where we can cut back. Applying the "Latte Factor" logic, I started looking at all my nickle and dime adventures. How much shampoo does it realistically take to wash my hair? Is it really necessary to coat the entire length of the toothbrush with paste with a cute curl at the end like they do on commercials? Granted, some folks make their own paste from baking soda and water. That reaches my "oh hell no" level. But that's because I'm a wuss who is addicted to sweet flavors.

But, back to cutting back. Do you pay attention to how much laundry detergent you use or do you just throw a whole capful in despite the size of the load? Can you do with less sugar in that favorite recipe? On and on and on.

There are literally hundreds of ways in our daily lives to save a nickle or dime. It doesn't seem like much, but as the ol' cliche goes, "it's not what you make, it's what you spend." Saving money on the small stuff will lead to greater savings in the long run. Yes, major purchases like a car or house need careful examination, but how often do those buying frenzies actually occur? It's in our daily activities where we find the greatest opportunity to cut back and save more.

Create a Price Book

A price book has been one of the most helpful tools I’ve found, particularly when it comes to buying in bulk. I first learned of this great idea in Amy Dacyczyn’s The Complete Tightwad Gazette (a frugal diva’s bible. Check it out at your local library, but don’t “lose” it and owe a huge fine like I did!).

Creating a price book goes a little something like this:
1. Scour weekly adds for sale prices on commonly purchased items from various local stores;
2. Write down the lowest price (it’s best to do it by unit, i.e. 12 cents per ounce) and store name, but don’t forget to check out generic and store brands, which are often less than name brands even when on sale; and
3. Make a note of how often the sale occurs. Most stores have the same sales on a rotating basis. If you know that peanut butter goes on sale every three months, you can purchase enough of the sale amount to last.

In addition to looking through sale flyers, visit a variety of stores and farmer’s market stands. As I’m shopping, I make quick notes on the prices of the items I buy the most frequently. After all the information is compiled, plan your shopping trips and make sure to take your price book with you, in case you find an unexpected deal. Use your notes to make sure it actually is a great deal.

I’ve found that a small, three ring binder works best. The price book system can be used for any commonly purchased item. Food, toiletries, clothing, oil changes—virtually everything we use goes on sale in intervals throughout the year. Pay attention and write it down in one handy location!

Cutting the Grub

One of the easiest ways to save money is through careful grocery shopping. I’ve heard tales of people cutting their food budgets by half (you do have a budget, right?) through a few simple techniques. Personally, I think the “I cut my grocery bill in half” stories are urban legends akin to waking up in a bathtub full of ice short one kidney, but anything is possible. (Remember, drink plenty of water to help that remaining kidney flush out toxins.)

However, being socially conscious and frugal sometimes requires us to spend a bit more, particularly if you prefer organic foods. But by combining several techniques, we can all save money on grub.

Buying in Bulk

Before you whip out your Sam’s Wholesale card, be sure to check out the DVD Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price. Sam’s club is a part of the demon known as Wal-Mart, the world’s largest employer and one of the most unethical corporations on the planet. Actually, if you have a Sam’s club card to whip out, do so. Then grab a pair of scissors and cut it up.

Costco does business far more ethically, with a CEO who has a cap of $300,000 (compared to Wal-Mart CEO’s more than $17 million as of 2005 and employees who are forced to go on public assistance for healthcare and food) on his annual salary and pays employees living wages. However, before you purchase that mother load of cereal, make sure you’re actually getting a deal. During my last visit to Costco, I found that most of the bulk items were no cheaper than their individual counterparts nor did they have less packaging. Packaging packaging for the illusion of a good bulk deal is just insane, not to mention environmentally irresponsible.

Instead of championing these huge warehouse stores, look for sales at your local grocer. When a favorite staple goes on sale, buy a bunch of it. If you’re an urban dweller living in a small apartment, don’t think you can’t purchase large quantities of that fabulous albacore tuna when it hits a rock bottom price. You can store a case under your bed, the couch or any other bit of space usually inhabited by dust bunnies.

Use the Buddy System

If a perishable item goes on sale (or you’re convinced you’ll never eat 25 cans of tuna), ask a friend to split the purchase with you. There are also several buying clubs available. If you can’t find a formal food co-op in your area, make your own. All you need are a few frugal friends and a well-planned shopping trip. To help keep track of sale prices and plan your grocery adventures, be sure to check out my entry on Price Books.

But…

Sometimes you might spend more. Organic produce is often more expensive than regular produce. However, many farmers at local farmer’s markets grow their foods organically but haven’t been cultivating organically long enough to qualify as “certified organic” or don’t have the funds to pay for the registration fees. Yes, they could be lying, but I doubt it (just call me Ms. Trusting). I’ve found that organic produce at farmer’s markets is frequently cheaper than at grocery stores.

Sometimes local farmer’s products cost more than the produce brought in from Chile or some other corner of the globe. Given the cost of shipping, this seems bizarre. Keep in mind that other countries don’t have the same regulations we do about food safety and worker’s rights. Nor do local, small farmers receive the same kind of government subsidies that massive corporations do. Additionally, strong economies are built by spending dollars in your community. Whenever possible, buy locally produced products. Flooding foreign markets with the dollar has only proved to devalue it. Make Buy Local a mantra.

Make it From Scratch

Cooking from scratch is an art nearly lost on my raised-on-MTV generation. I actually have friends who think that making a cake from a box mix is “making it from scratch.” Amy Dacyczyn has gone into great detail about how much cheaper it is to cook from scratch. Thank God. I don’t have the patience to calculate the cost comparison of homemade muffins versus the store bought variety per ounce.

Not only will cooking from scratch save money, it almost always tastes better than the high-fructose corn syrup and preservative-filled, pre-made varieties. A meal made with local, fresh foods is better than a Big Yak any day. But if the convenience of a fast food Yak burger calls to your hectic lifestyle, don’t think it’s your only option. Take the time on days off to cook enough for an army, freezing individual serving sizes for later in the week. Consider it your own “budget gourmet” frozen dinner.

If your MTV years have left you unable to cook, watch cooking shows on PBS (because you certainly don’t want to spend the money on cable, right?) to learn techniques and recipes (I swear it’s better than porn), ask friends and family who know the ancient art to teach you, or sign up for a cooking class at an area community college or parks and recreation program.

After you’ve learned to cook…

Host potluck dinners among friends instead of going out to eat. When I first moved to the uber expensive urban landscape of Los Angeles, my fellow do-gooder AmeriCorps volunteers would gather each week to have a communal meal. Some weeks we would each bring a dish. Other weeks one of our crew would cook for the group, rotating the chef responsibility. We each made inexpensive dishes and were able to enjoy each other without spending a fortune at a restaurant.

These are only a few tips to help cut costs on grocery bills. Experiment with what works best for you and feel free to share your own tips. If you manage to reach urban legend status with a drastic reduction in your food bill, share your story! Just be sure you don’t end up in a tub full of ice the next morning.

Why I Started This Blog

While traveling through blogger land, I found several blogs dedicated to thrift. Despite keywords like "budget" and "frugal," most of the authors were dedicated to helping readers spend less, without regard to the consequences of that spending. Sure, we can all find a cute dress for $30, but do we stop to ask why that dress is so inexpensive? If the dress is, as my friend Liz says, "held to together with spit and floss" are we really saving any money if it falls apart after a couple of wearings? Do we really want to support corporations that exploit child and third world labor so that we can have more for less?

Sometimes it's not enough to be frugal. When living in a closed system like our planet earth, it's important to look at the long term ramifications of our consumer habits, particularly for Americans, the globe's greedy teenagers who take far more than our fair share. Sometimes it's smarter to spend more. More often than not, it's smarter not to spend at all.

I wanted to create a blog where we could share ideas and resources to help each other live below our means, save for the future, support local and fair trade businesses and artisans, and donate to worthwhile causes that work to create a just world. Of course this is not the only resource for such topics. I am simply adding another voice to the growing number of individuals who value community and yearn for a human family where everyone has enough.

Please feel free to comment on topics posted and add your thoughts, tips, suggestions and resources. Together we can provide each other with the tools to build real wealth--a life rich with health, vibrant communities and more than enough to meet our needs with plenty left over to build a better world.