Fantastically Frugal: Two Women’s Adventures in Thrift

Very few people lately can say that they can’t think of anyone that has not been hit by the state of our economy. Jillian and I know many people that have lost homes, jobs, retirements, and indeed their standards of living. As history majors, it is very difficult to not draw comparisons between The Great Depression of the 1930’s and our current situation. The truth is, there are many similarities. But our Grandparents had some things going for them that we do not. The most important thing being the sense that, “they were all in this together.”

So many of our friends and neighbors have suffered severe financial problems before anyone knew what was going on. There is an idea going around that if you are having money problems you are going at it alone. Somehow, we think all is well with everyone else. It must be only our family…right? Wrong!

Even though it is eighty years later, we are still in this together. We have just forgotten how. This article is the first of a biweekly column that celebrates the knowledge that we are a community that cares. We are in this together. Together we can learn to live better, smarter, and to thrive in this economy not just survive.

Jillian and I want to hear from you. We will bring you our ideas on saving money and living better and we hope to hear your “two cents” as well. This column will be as good as you make it.

Over the years, we have figured out some great ways to save money. Some of the ideas you will see in upcoming columns are; Thrifting 101, Saving tons at the Grocery Store, Freezer Cooking 101, Fall in Love with Your Library, and Cheap Fun with Family and Friends.

This will not be a column that tells you to eat beans every night, while reading a library book and just be happy. We know how unrealistic that is, not to mention unpleasant. Most of us want to dress nicely, eat well, have some entertainment, and every once in a while get that feeling of abundance back.

Jillian and I want to welcome you into our homes. This is what we do with our own families. It is a journey, our journey and adventure in thrift.

Tune in Friday for part 1 of Thrifting 101.