Frugal (froo-guhl): adjective: economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving money or sparing; not wasteful.
In essence, the term frugal emphasizes the act of saving, sometimes excessively, especially in controversial matters such as food. Why is food so controversial an issue? It’s a good question. The World Hunger Education Service estimates that there were 925 million hungry people in the world in 2010, yet author Jonathan Bloom in his book, American Wasteland, found that Americans throw away roughly a quarter of the food they buy. It’s a shocking statistic, especially when you consider that almost three million children die every year as a direct result of hunger and malnutrition, many before their fifth birthday. What if that was your child? Would you feel differently about sending so much food to the landfills? If tugging at your heart strings isn’t enough to convince you to change, maybe the prospect of saving money will. Bloom estimates that a family of four throws away over $2000 a year in food. There must be a better way to spend your money.
Living frugally can be as big or as little a challenge as you want it to be. There will always be stories about how particularly eco-conscious people have made the decision to live entirely off the land. Mark Boyle, Britain’s so-called Moneyless Man gave up using cash and moved into a caravan on organic farm lands, feeding himself entirely from the results of foraging for wild food and dumpster diving. He reports that it’s been an entirely positive experience. Of course, not everyone can be a full-blown eco-warrior. Let’s face it, rummaging through trash for food and living off the land is frugality in the extreme sense of the word and requires a serious amount of commitment that is not entirely practical, especially if you have children. All respect to those who can pull it off, but there are some slightly easier ways to make a difference.
Steve and Annette Economides have made a name for themselves as America’s cheapest family. Since 1982, they’ve shown the nation how living frugally can get you through the toughest of economic climates. They’ve found a way to feed a family of seven on a budget of just $350 a month. Credit and past-due bills are not words that feature in their landscape of thriftiness. Do they suffer for it? Of course not, their kids probably eat healthier than most.
So how can you change your ways? There are a number of simple actions everyone can take to reduce the astonishing amount of food waste.
* Check what you already have in your store cupboard and plan your meals for the week ahead before you shop. You’ll save both time and money.
* Keep an eye on dates. If a use-by date is coming up and you won’t have chance to use an item, pop it in the freezer and save it until when you can. Best before dates are exactly that. With the exception of eggs, there’s no need to throw something away if it’s a day or two past its best.
* Be storage savvy. Make the most of your food by knowing how to store it properly. Most fruit and vegetables will stay fresher for longer when stored in the fridge. Fresh foods should be stored in air tight containers once they’ve been opened.
* Portion size should not be guesswork. Invest in some kitchen scales to make portions the perfect size. It may be hard to believe but a single mug of uncooked rice will feed four adults.
* Get creative with leftovers. Use up everything you’ve got. The remnants of a Sunday roast can be used to make many tempting dishes.
Living frugally need not be an ordeal. It will save you money and encourage you to eat better. At the same time, you’ll be doing your bit for the environment. What’s not to like?
Kathy Tims writes about finance and personal saving. She is a writer for DegreeJungle.com and enjoys helping students save money when going back to school.
Related posts:
- Are You More Frugal or Green?: Balancing Multiple Goals
- 10 Tips to Save Money and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
- 5 Tips to Feed Your Baby Organically
- 8 Simple Ways To Be Energy Efficient At Home And Save
- 5 Green Living Tips to Fatten Your Wallet
