Too many people think that frugality is for those without money. I grew up in a fairly poor family and the idea of frugal living never really appealed to me. I like to spend money. I like to have what I want when I want it. I never thought I'd be a frugal person.

But somewhere along the way I realized that to have everything I want, I have to stop buying and using things I really don't want. That almost makes sense, doesn't it? Basically, I set some goals. And to fulfill your goals, you have to take action.

And I became hooked on living frugally.

Frugal living becomes a game you play against yourself. You are looking for ways to save. I started out simply looking to see if I could really lower our electric bill. And I did with very little effort. Then I looked to our heating costs. Hey, I did it again. Then I looked to our driving expenses.

Okay, you just get hooked. Now I'm working on cutting our food costs. I've been trying several methods, so we'll see what works. In fact, I've become so good at cutting costs, my husband is taking a lower paying job that will bring him more time at home with us.

Frugal living isn't something that is easy on a family when you take the attitude on that you must do it. It is like cleaning house. It is something that has to be done. You can either make it a good experience or a bad one. With the wrong attitude you will probably fail.

Consider frugal living as a challenge. And the best thing is that you are improving more than just your financial situation. I've heard many, many financial counselors and advisors say that when people gain control of their money, they gain control of their lives. That is because self-control bleeds over into other things. You simply begin to look at things differently.

Whether you are looking to a frugal life out of necessity or out of a wise money management plan, start by simply tackling one area of your expenses. Then move on to another. Over time, you will find that your attitude changes and you look at things differently. And you start seeing that you can save money (to spend on things that really matter) without much effort at all. And that's the best thing about the frugal challenge — you save money.

Using the cash economical system frugality places emphasis on economy since the money is employed to meet personal long-term goals, communal needs and familial.

In short, frugal is penny-pinchers that use thrifty tactics to save energy, money and the economy. Few of the chief tactics of frugal involve waste reduction. This process changes the common cost expenses or habits. A frugal will suppress spending for the purpose of achieving gratification instantly through means of self-restraining fiscal while striving toward efficiency.

A frugal avoids traps. These people defy expensive items that the common norm society focuses on. A frugal embraces free items, or gratis choices rather than focusing on materials.

Frugal does not have a problem bartering. The barter system is a process that involves many challenges, such as negotiation, bargaining, swapping, trading, exchanging and so on.

In summary, frugal that barters will swap one good in exchange for another item in which the party needs. Therefore, this person only focuses on necessities rather than material, which is a healthy quality.

A frugal will stay informed. These people seek information of current affairs, local situations, including product, service and market changes.

A frugal is a self-sufficient person that prefers to live the simple life. Often these people associate concepts of their frugality as philosophic. This often backs a deeply worried emotion or lack of trust. These people often gain professional knowledge that guides them to understand the commercial realm or the cultures in the corporate world. These people claims to understand economic changes, spiritual interests and materials best.

Various spiritual societies contemplate over the frugality of its virtue or else religious discipline. You can note examples of these people by understanding the Puritans or the RSF -”Religion Society of Friends.”

Common theories back these ideas, which include saving money to make cash more ready for other individuals. Environmentalists often follow the frugal structure in that these people places their virtues on bringing humanity closer. The purpose is to guide humanity back to its roots. This includes the forming into a group to bring things and people together.

It also includes needing and carrying of little and discovering the purpose of nature intentions rather than manmade religions. In short, frugal forms a pattern that attracts followers, supporters, or an audience by accumulating traditions and beliefs that fit the frugality profile.

This article is bang on with its comment on how much we spend and waste in trying to be more green. It details how one gardener used frugal living to build and keep her garden.

"Tamara Mitchell doesn't think it has to be that way.Many of the plants in her West Akron yard were end-of-season markdowns or freebies that either sprouted from seeds deposited by birds or were propagated from other plants. The trellises she constructed to support her pole beans and cucumbers were fashioned from the posts of an old chain-link fence and inexpensive wire mesh for reinforcing concrete. The path leading to an outdoor faucet was made from pieces of slate salvaged from a friend's foyer."

"That kind of frugality has been overshadowed by the big business of gardening, which beckons us to spend on specialized containers, trendy tools and the instant gratification of good-size plants. And now that organic gardening has become mainstream, a product's environmental friendliness is being used as a marketing tool, said Maureen Gilmer, a champion of thrifty gardening who lives in Palm Springs, Calif."

Frugal garden reaps savings

Read more on Akron Beacon Journal

Think about some of the things that you use everyday and then ask yourself if you can make your own. You will be on your way to living a more frugal life like me.

1. I am surprised how many people that I know who make use of their Local Library. It's a sign of the time but you can get free movies to rent from the Library. I have no idea how current they are but I am sure you can find something to keep the kids occupied without breaking the bank at the video store or the movies.

2. There are plenty of snow or winter activities at your disposal like tubing or tobogganing or outdoor skating. Skating is a great way to get exercise and a great free way to get the family together for an afternoon.

3. Check your local public free newspapers or websites for freebie activities. For example, our local zoo has a free outdoor movie night during the summer or free plays. There are more free activities going on out there than you would think.

4. Get together with your friends, other couples or family and have a pot luck kind of night. You can have a great night out without spending a fortune on food and drinks.

5. You can still have fun playing board games believe it or not. We still play monopoly and it kills the day and keeps everyone occupied.

6. Get the family together and do a Christmas Light tour.  Take a walk or drive around your place and check out the houses all lit up for Christmas or your local park or city attraction.

7. Do some baking, the girls in my house make a day out of baking cookies and muffins.

Those are just a few frugal free activities you can do with your friends, family or other half. You just have to look a little harder.

1. Eating Out – Having gimmicks with friends on a Friday night is fine if you do it once in a while. But this can be expensive if you add them up at the end of the month.

2. Clothing – Naturally, if you are the kind of person who adores signature and designer clothes, do not expect that there will be something left of your take home pay. Instead of being trendy, wear clothes that can easily be matched with your other clothes.

3. Own Home – If you are planning to move out and find a place to settle, do not be overwhelmed by the excitement, instead be practical. As a start, buy a smaller house or try other ways like rent-to-own, do-it-yourself arrangements, and owner financing.

4. Buying Your Own Car – Shy away from sports cars or SUVs. Just stick to your purpose of buying a car which is to transport you anywhere you need to go. Check out also program cars like a new car warranty. Maybe this is not just the best time to replace your car with a new one.

5. Shopping for Groceries – As much as possible do not go with items that are branded. Choose non-brands and try looking for items on the highest or lowest shelves for best prices. Grab the opportunity and shop during sales or use coupons.

6. Family Out – There are inexpensive ways to bond with your family and be entertained like going to libraries, local parks, malling, picnics, visit friends and local church.

7. Buying School Supplies – Stock school supplies at home and do not buy anything fancy.

8. Be contented with what you have and try to live within what you earn.

9. Plan your Child’s College Education – Teach them the ways to be independent and self-supporting by encouraging them to apply for scholarships and “on campus jobs”.

10. Be Aware of your Financial Limitations