When S. and I got married over 12 years ago we were the type of consumers that the U.S. government likes to see. We had student loan debt, credit card debt, and a car payment.
We did not spend our money wisely, after all we could just put it on the credit card and worry about it later. If there was a book we wanted we bought it instead of checking it out at the library. If the food in the house didn't appeal to us, then we would just go out to eat.
We were lucky and although we never received money from our parents, they did give us hand me downs. I think in our first apartment the only furniture we bought was a box spring and mattress.
Then we were able to buy S's parent's home and not have to come up with a down payment. Now here's the point where I shake my head; this house had 2,700 finished sq. feet and another 800 sq. feet in the basement that could have been finished. It had a three car attached garage and an over-sized one car detached garage.
S's father lived with us for awhile, but then it was just the two of us and three cats. Before we finally sold the house (four years later) we had three huge garage sales, gave away stuff to family and friends, and were constantly putting things on Freecycle. We also hauled over 4 Tons of stuff to the landfill. (Shudder)
S's family had owned this house for 20 years prior, but still, four tons!
We had filled that house up with things because that's what we were supposed to do. To think of all the money we spent on stuff, even if it was on sale, makes my stomach churn.
I don't want it to seem like it was a horrible experience though. We threw very memorable parties, were able to let a friend live with us for awhile, and we learned what we didn't want to keep doing.
While we were being good consumers and lived in that big house, we started to turn into Frugalists. Even back then we knew we didn't want to work into our mid-sixties at jobs that didn't mean anything to us.
I started reading about frugal living and S. jumped on board. We started going to the library, we would wait and buy items on sale, I would order free samples online, we hung our laundry out, turned lights off, bought second hand, and did as much of our own car maintenance as possible.
This was great for a few years (and by my standards we're still frugalists), but we still continued to spend money on things we didn't Need, and we did nothing to increase our savings.
Now the items we bought were more pricey, like a computer or DVD player, but since we had done our research and got the best price it was okay. Even with our shiny new objects we were still discontent.
We still had a large mortgage payment every month, we needed to buy a more reliable vehicle, we were still paying on our student loans, and our credit card balance never went down to zero.
It drove me crazy when I would read the frugal boards and see a bunch of ways to be more frugal, but no one ever talked about what happens when you do every single frugal thing you can, and you're still not getting any further ahead.
About a year after we jumped the Frugal Express, I realized we were turning into Environmentalists. We were buying used items or getting them for free, we changed the light bulbs and would unplug items, and would make gifts from on-hand items.
It was over seven years ago when we took the first step that led us to present day. I called S. up at work and said, "How about we sell the house, and look for something smaller?"
We sold the house and lived in an apartment for a year so we could determine our next step. S. worked for the Post Office part-time and we had hoped it would turn into a full time position, but it seemed like that would take many more years then we had originally thought.
We decided to move closer to my parents, and to a town that had cheap housing. Enter, Wisconsin Rapids.
We've lived in Rapids for over six years and during that time have kept the same level of Frugalism (which to me is moderate to high), and increased our Environmentalism.
We have a compost pile, a small garden, have joined a farm share program, I don't get as many freebies because of all the extra packaging, my toiletries are all organic and natural (I love Bubble and Bee!)we hang our clothes outside or in the basement, and many more things.
And withing the past few months we are becoming more Minimalist. If you've read prior posts you know that we've donated many things and are looking for a smaller house.
This chapter of our lives is just beginning, but I can't wait to see where it leads us.
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