The rewards of frugality are self-reliance and more life satisfaction

Some people just can't see the reason for going frugal

Discovering talents you never knew you had!

Fetching your solid fuel - for free !

It's pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness. Poverty and wealth have both failed. Henry David Thoreau

I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position. Mark Twain
Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow. Thornton Wilder

I could just sum this up with two words, "Vive la difference", but I won't because a). It's not as simple as that and b). It won't fill up a decent page size !

Being frugal isn't about buying the cheapest and going without. It's about being thrifty, keeping your eyes and ears open and living a more cost effective and satifying life.

It can be used in nine things about your life to reward you with the tenth. Like, if you really want a great holiday for whatever reason, being pampered and having a fling, it can be achieved by frugality in other things rather than getting out the Credit Card and paying for it over the next five years (if you're lucky). Just a savings plan if you like.

Self satisfaction

There aren't many times where you come back from the Shops with a smile on your face. But if you've really looked round, weighed up the costs and got exactly the item you want - that's good news!What greater satisfaction than opening up the back door, walking down the Garden and returning with your daily vegetable needs and if you keep chickens as well, it could be your whole days food without a glance at the Supermarket.

Seeing your rewards

It's a rpoud moment when you tear open your Energy bill and find it's 20% less than the previous one because you turned down the thermostat, fixed the draughts in the doors and changed to Energy Saving Light Bulbs etc.

Finding your hidden talents

By building things, such as bookcases, Garden Benches, Shelf Units from recycled materials (stuff in your Shed for the last ten years or a Skip)

The future in your hands

I find it quite healthy to have something to worry about, especially finances. It keeps you on your toes and makes you more aware of the natural and waste resources there are around you.
If you've downshifted from a larger Company situation - how often have you worried about the forthcoming re-organisation, the financial affairs of the Company, whether you will still have the job in a years time?
These vanish. Fair enough they are exchanged for a newer set, but they are in your own hands.
It's like some people find it hard to be a passenger in a car. They';d rather be driving themselves because you have more control.
You become your own Master and Slave. Your future in finances, lifestyle and family maters are in your hands.

As an exercise, at the end of each day, write something you spent money on which you didn't really have to and things which you may have purchased at a lower more cost effective price if you'sd have spent a bit of time looking around (right down to the Kit-Kat you brought for 55p, when you'd have got it for less somewhere else.

Fair enough, not all of us want to be like this, some may like some of it but not all of it.

The thing is that by being frugal, this will bring about more competitive prices in shops, be better for the environment, but most of all - better for you and me !

Nigel's Eco Store
'If you're looking for environmentally friendly products and eco friendly gifts you'll love our practical, functional, and desirable range, chosen from the best recycled, organic, green and eco friendly products around' .

Ethical Superstore
offers access to all the major fair trade and green brands including Cafedirect, Traidcraft, People Tree, Green & Blacks, Divine, Ecover, Freeplay, EcoZone, Solio and many more. The full range includes gadgets, gifts, cosmetics, foods, beverages, CDs, books, DVDs plus handmade lifestyle and fashion products'.
Natural Collections
'Our award-winning range includes organic cotton and fair trade clothing and accessories, items for your home and garden, energy-saving gadgets, organic cosmetics, eco cleaning products and much more Each item is carefully researched and selected to promote ecological and sustainable manufacturing practices. We support fair trade products in order to help alleviate poverty and to ultimately give poorer communities dignity in the knowledge that their products are selling within a competitive market place and not because of charitable or sympathetic patronage'.