Frugal is the new green

     It might come as quite a shock to you to learn that I am kind of a cheapskate. Having grown up in a working poor family, and made it myself to the working poor class, I finally had eventually come to the realization that money isn't all that matters. Actually beyond a certain minimum threshold,  money doesn't matter much at all.

     What is that minimum threshold? Having a safe and clean shelter to be protected from the elements, nutritious food, healthcare, and access to entertainment like books and culture. Beyond that I feel like it doesn't probably matter too much. That's why last year I decided to wear only clothing that cost less than $5 per piece if new or to buy used from stores like goodwill. Didn't do too badly at the challenge either, but I did end up having to buy two new scrub tops thanks to a change in jobs, unfortunately $25 each.

     So I spent the year wearing mostly recycled clothing, which was fine.

     I also spent the year handwriting my clothes and line drying them, to save money.  The washing part doest save all that much money over using the clothes washer but the line drying definitely saves a lot of money. 

     So I spent the year hanging clothes outside, which was fine.

     I harvested a lot of water hyacinth and ginger leaves from the garden to cook up and eat, and I grew a large portion of the duck and rabbit diets in the yard. 

     So I spent a lot of time eating organic growies in the garden, which was fine.

     I enjoyed listening to quite a few podcasts and articles for free online, and rented dozens of audio books from the library website for free. Which was fine.

     I bake bread from scratch and homebrew wine. This year I have mastered the art of making homebrewed wine from frozen concentrated grape juice, which I have to admit, is kind of amazing. Also apple juice. For the bread I like to use the breadmaker for easy clean up. I have learned two things about homemade bread this year - that if you add too much yeast that will result in a problem and that the knife for slicing really matters ot you will awful slices.

     Which was fine.

     I don't have a gym membership. I think that gyms cost a lot of money and they usually require driving to get to them, which I usually don't want to do. Besides then you are around other people, and it can make me self conscious to be all sweaty and wild hair when I work out. So I have a kettlebell and a rowing machine and a few other pieces of exercise equipment, which has more than paid for themselves. 

     So I worked out a lot for nearly free. In fact, this scale app says I'm doing pretty good for my age, don't be jealous. So that's fine.