The word frugality is usually defined in monetary terms. When people talk about frugal living, they’re generally referring to a lifestyle which is thrifty, economical and prudent.
For us, it’s a great deal more than that. It’s about recognising how incredibly precious and limited our resources are, and trying to find ways to minimise our use of them. It’s about thinking beyond our immediate family needs and considering how our actions impact on others and the environment. Saving money along the way is an added bonus, but it was never the primary motivation.
Rose left a comment on the last post asking for a breakdown of our bread costs. Here are some rough estimates. Our large 90cm Smeg oven costs about $1 an hour to run (according to Pete the electrical engineer). A great deal of the energy used goes into actually heating the oven up, so while it’s on, I try to maximise its output by baking as large a quantity as possible. My four and a half kilo batch of sourdough cost $4 in raw materials ($1 bakers flour, $2.80 remilled semolina, salt, water) plus $1 in electricity, and produced two large loaves ($1.25 each) and three small ones (83c each).
In dollar terms, whilst that was economical, it certainly wasn’t the cheapest option available – we could have picked up supermarket bread for $1 a loaf. But I considered it to be extremely frugal – the bread crackers I made (add another $1 in oven costs) provided Small Man with a week’s worth of afternoon snacks; the loaf I gave to June meant she didn’t have to walk down the road to buy one (remember, she’s 86 years old); the loaf I handed over the fence to Mark was eaten for dinner that evening.
Sharing in this way is communally frugal – it saves everyone time, money and effort for almost no extra work or cost on my part. It’s also environmentally frugal – Mark didn’t have to start his car to drive to the shops, June didn’t have to heat up her oven. It reduces the eco-footprint of our community as a whole.
Let me give a few more examples.
Frugality, as we define it, is buying higher welfare meat, which hopefully affords the animal a happier existence and the farmer a sustainable lifestyle, and then finding ways to stretch it out over several dinners. Last year I wrote about how we do this with free range pork hocks.
Frugality is paying a small premium for biodegradable coffee pods, because they provide a saving, not to us, but to the environment.
Frugality is sending out dried sourdough starters to friends all over the globe, so that they too can fill their ovens and nourish their families and neighbours. These small sachets have enabled a worldwide group of bakers to live more frugally.
Frugality is buying an insulated flask so that we only have to boil the kettle twice a day instead of eight times. It’s setting the gas heater on economy and wearing more clothes inside the house. It’s pottering in the kitchen on Saturdays baking lunches for school, tempering expensive chocolate for birthday gifts (rather than buying something far more costly and less appreciated), and pressure cooking saved bones from the freezer into stock.
Frugality is spending far more money than is “reasonable” to repair an old dishwasher, because the manufacture of every new appliance is incredibly expensive in terms of both natural resources and landfill. It’s maintaining a car diligently and then driving it for as many years as possible, until smoke comes out of the steering wheel (eleven years, in our case).
Frugality is paying for insulation, even though the cost will take years to recover, because that enables us to use less energy. It’s adding rainwater tanks to the garden, to save precious water that would otherwise run off into the drains. All these actions involve an initial financial outlay, but are extremely frugal in earth terms. And they save us money in the long run.
When we widen our definition of frugality beyond dollars, it becomes apparent that many things which appear economical actually come with a high price tag. Factory farmed meat can be extremely cheap, but expensive in environmental, animal welfare and (possibly) personal health terms. Mass produced sandwich bread might only be $1 a loaf, but it can be filled with chemicals designed to keep it soft for days. Fast food is bargain priced, but often fat and salt laden. As my father always says, “all that glistens isn’t gold”.
I believe frugal living should take into account more than just our budgets and cashflows. We also need to consider how the choices we make impact on our health, our families, our communities and the planet. Information is the key – we need to research, ask questions, and seek out knowledge which will enable us to make informed decisions. Without a doubt, it’s a lifestyle approach that will save us money. But far more importantly, it’s a healthy, sustainable, earth friendly way to live. ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Awesome post, Celia! Concise, brilliant, perfect!
You’re very kind, thanks love x
Celia you could run seminars on this topic!
Kim, I’m not sure folks would listen to me ramble on! :)
Thanks Celia for you wise words. I’m passing this one around.
Fra, you’re a kindred spirit, I know you understand completely and I thank you for it.. xx
Celia, informed decisions are the best decisions & I applaud your decision to be “frugal” (& all that it entails.) Happiness… satisfaction… contentment… call for soooo much more than what’s going on in “your world.” They also demand (beg?) keeping an eye out and staying aware of how your choices impact others! I LOVED how you re-purposed/shared (food & info) & made the most of what you have. We’re living a very similar life here (necessarily so) & loving you & your family very much! Bravo for showing how it’s done — with love.
P.S. Sorry for all my “ampersands” but my comment would’ve been a mile long w/o ’em. ;) I know you “get” it! xo
Kim, you and Russ are always looking after everyone else, despite everything you’ve been through in the past year. You inspire me to do more. Thanks darling friend.. xxx
Well said, Celia. The saying “use it up, wear it out, do without” reminds us to stop and consider before heading to store and always buying new. I would also add that food that is fast is often consumed just as quickly and in larger quantities. When we slow down enough to make our cook, feel the labor and effort, it tends to be eaten more thoughtfully. Or maybe that’s just me. :)
Judy, I don’t think it’s just you. I think sometimes food we buy is consumed without enough awareness because we just haven’t put as much effort into it. But maybe that’s just me, too. I wrote a post about it here:
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2014/07/09/lobster-risotto/
You sent out sourdough starter!? That is such a wonderful way to share. We practice sustainable frugality as well. My whole family has gotten good at taking lunch in reusable containers, not complaining that we do not have plastic bags anymore and using the reusable bags I collect and not buying any more coffee house drinks or treats but bringing stuff from home. They are all helping with the garden this year since they see the savings. I have cut out about 60 percent of the grocery store items that we used to buy and we make our own or just do without. No more individual yogurts, bags of chips, fruit snacks in little packages or grocery store bread.
Connie, the starters have gone all over the world! Your family sound amazing!
Great post Celia. No waffle, just saying how it is and how it really matters. HM
Ah, the perfect compliment. Thanks so much, Heather! :)
Bravo Celia, I applaud your lifestyle choices and words!!!
Thanks Sandra! x
I found this inspirational Celia. You are certainly a woman of wisdom.
That’s very kind of you, thank you!
My husband and I have discussions about ‘false economy’ all the time. The bread that is $1 a loaf, and other ‘cheap’ processed foods are not cheap if they make you sick from lack of nutritional value. We, too, don’t mind driving an eleven year old car that is diligently maintained, etc. Thank you for the reminder Celia!
Ardys, I think that’s the key – we need to really think about things. Is this really good value? Yes it’s a bargain, but what are the hidden costs? I think you’re very wise.
What a lovely, thoughtful post. Plus, I wish I was your neighbour! ;-)
Thank you! :)
Hear, hear! Terrific post.
Cheers Laurie, thank you!
Thank you Celia, the perfect post to read before we commence pottering in the garden and kitchen this long weekend. I appreciate hearing of your car as the pressure for school mums to renew every 2 or 3 years (are they leased?) is great! Ours is 8 years and not a moments trouble yet (fingers crossed) plus it’s all ours!
Gail, the car thing can be ludicrous, we’ve noticed that happening at the boys’ school as well. Not sure why anyone needs a new car every two years!
What a lovely way to be part of the world and take care of each other
Viki, that’s exactly right. Thank you for saying that – it’s what it’s all about – finding a way to exist gently and look after one another.
Oh no! Is smoke going to start coming out of my steering wheel any tick of the clock? Agree with every syllable you have said. Just makes sense to me. I still don’t get why people buy snap lock bags, send a new one to school with a paper note in it and aren’t fussed it’s headed to go to landfill. I send them back home now with a note to keep and reuse or better still keep your old envelopes and use them! Might add “try being frugal” and a link to this post :)
Maree, we had a very interesting Top Gear moment – “smoke, smoke, there’s smoke in the car!”.. :) Why on earth would anyone send a note in a zip lock plastic bag??
Great post Celia!
Thanks Bronwyn!
I love everything you said in this post. Beyond this, it’s bringing back the village and the local community. I want my children to grow up knowing their neighbours, feeling the earth on their hands and eating food that we’ve grown or sourced from ethical, local sources. Hear, hear!
Lisa, that’s so true. We set an example for our kids to learn from. I hope my sons learn to look after each other and those around them.
Another thoughtful & inspiring post, Celia. We need more people like you in the world.
Amanda, you always say the nicest things. Thanks love xxx
Oh Celia what a brilliant post! I love your terms “environmentally frugal” and “communally frugal”, they are concepts/practices I have but had never defined before.
Thanks also for breaking down the cost of a loaf. I wouldn’t consider a supermarket loaf food per se, it’s an industrial product so comparisons there are somewhat odious.
Rose, my apologies, Pete read this post and pointed out that I’d misheard him. The oven costs about $1 an hour to run, not 50c. I’ve now corrected the original post.
Awesome post Celia, have been reading your post for a couple of years now and you have turned my life and family lives around with your thoughtful sharing of living life to the sustainable best! Thank you
Maddy, what a wonderful comment, thank you so much!
Thought provoking post Celia. I have noticed that while trying to live a with a similar attitude one of the bonuses is my constant learning of new skills, new knowledge. Win Win.
Madge, yes, we learn so much through trying to figure it all out, don’t we! Hope all is well in your world, dear friend.. x
Agree all the way!! Hope to repost!!
Thanks Eha!
This is what I’ve been inputting in my children since they could talk Celia!..It’s not only frugal living – it’s wise living & I totally agree with your comment(ary?) I will quote you “Information is the key – we need to research, ask questions, and seek out knowledge which will enable us to make informed decisions.”…
As you know I homeschool therefore taking your quote aboard, may we use this blog entry (or most of it & quote you of course) for our environmental/global/& recycling studies please? It would be most helpful but I would like your permission first. Thank you for the breakdown of gas/electricity costs too! Great eye opener.
Lina, I would be honoured. Thank you, please use whatever you wish for your studies! xxx
Thank you so much Celia! You’re an inspiration! P.S. I just baked 2 Sourdough Loaves which I began yesterday with ‘Abby’ . I used a mixture of Baker’s Flour, Sourdough Rye Flour & Wholemeal Flour. Obviously they didn’t rise as high as they should’ve but my 3 Big Boys (of whom one is a P.T. = Big Eater) have packed most of them with cold meats/cheese for work tomorrow. Thanks to you! xx
Lina, my apologies, Pete read this post and pointed out that I’d misheard him. The oven costs about $1 an hour to run, not 50c. I’ve now corrected the original post.
What a great post Celia and love how you factored in not only the actual monetary costs, but costs to the environment etc
Well done and your breads always look amazing to me!
Joanne, thank you! x
brilliant, Celia. you are both wise and generous. Wonderful post.
Jaqi, you’re very kind, thank you!
Excellent post, Celia. I think if we all asked the question “What will this cost the planet” rather than “what will this cost me” our perspective would change. As I have said before: that $10 tee shirt made in Bangladesh costs much more than the value you and I would place on $10.
We have the saddest looking cars of all our friends – latest model 4 wheel drives are very popular with a certain set – our 19 year old ute is still going strong so why would we buy a new one.
Glenda, you’re absolutely right, of course. The cost isn’t in the dollars, it’s in quality of human life, and it’s often very expensive.
I know the word “inspiring” gets bandied about a lot, but honestly Celia, this post is truly worthy of the accolade. Very thoughtful and not in the least preachy. Thank you for sharing your wisdom xx
Kellie, that’s very kind of you, thank you. Especially for saying it wasn’t preachy – I never ever want to do that! All I hope to do is explain how we choose to live our own lives.
I feel the same. Sometimes I raise an issue but the last thing I want to do is come across is preachy. It was a lovely piece that resonated with me, Celia xx
Lovely post and so in line with what we think. I agree with Jackie french’s definition of being rich as having wonderful food and flowers and time not just for yourself but to give away to others. Frugality for us is how to achieve that without compromising ourselves, others or the planet.
Emma, that’s a fabulous description of being rich! :)
Yes! Yes! A million times Yes!
Brilliant post Celia!
Much love to you, gorgeous man xx
I’m writing to you from a farm in Zambia … and we do our best to live according to “the principles of enoughness,” a phrase coined by Ghandi. I really loved this post, thank you.
How wonderful to hear from you! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. And I love that expression, thank you!
You are genuinely so inspirational, Celia. It’s very humbling. Thank you for sharing this.
My lovely friend, you’re very kind. Thank you! xxx
Such a good post Celia. You and Pete are so wise and generous. Frugal does not just mean money in the same way simple living does not being cheap. My nephew and l were talking about the word work. We both feel that it doesn’t just mean paid work. Sharing with others costs us nothing and builds a good sense of community. Reading your blog shows how you and Pete live. It is not just empty words. As another respondent has posted, maybe you could run classes and spread the word:)
Jo, thank you. Having a wonderful community of people around us makes life all the more fulfilling – we’re very fortunate!
Wonderful post – and such an echo of how we try to live. I rememebr when 10 years ago I first moved to Spain, even recyclying was considered a bit odd. Things like going to charity shops, refashioning clothes and making my own bread and pasta were considered part of my “English eccentricity”. Luckily Big Man really “got” me and boasts of our food made from scratch, the fact that we’ve pretty much furnished our home in England from the Second Hand and Charity shops and if anyone so much as thnks of throwing cardboard into the general rubbish he’s onto them about recycling! I love it :)
Tanya, I KNOW you understand! Love that your Big Man is right there with you all the way! :)
Awesome Post Celia! I would like share this post in my another blog…
Thank you! You are welcome to link to this post, but please don’t cut and paste any of the content or copy the whole post to your blog. Thanks!
No i would never any Copy Paste of your Article i just link it….
Thank you! :)
yep! I found jogging around our neighbourhood during the recent council clean up really depressing – these are so regular and yet the piles of waste on the footpath/sidewalk was really incredible. Mountains and mountains of stuff. Sure the recyclers come through and sift but still the amount of junk going to landfill was an amazing sight. Thinking long term and repairing when needed is something we all need to try to stay in touch with. So thank you for a great post. xxx
We missed it altogether! Perhaps that’s a good thing as we obviously didn’t have too much to throw out this time! :)
Well said old bean – I heartily endorse it all. We ate a very frugal supper last night because we had so little fresh food in the house. Must remember to go shopping every now and then. Sometimes I’m too frugal using my brain :)
I wonder if there will be a rash of In My Frugal Kitchen posts in July.
Ah, you always make me laugh! Yes, we end up with “pasta and tinned tomatoes” on occasions for the same reason! :)
Nice
Thanks Paul! :)
Brilliant post Celia! My Pete and I are extremely frugal too, well as much as we can be living where we do. Sadly there are a few extra trips into town getting him to and from the airport.
Have a beautiful and happy weekend.
:-) Mandy xoxoxo
Thanks Mandy! I hope you’re having a fabulous week! xxx
A beautiful post which really resonated with me because it is the way I like to live my life too. I wish I could have said it as eloquently as you have. :-)
You’re very kind, thanks Christine! Hope all is well.. xx
What an excellent post Celia. I strive to be just like you! We do,our share but there is so much room for improvement. We drive two hybrids, use reuse able lunch containers, recycle, garden…. We are on the lookout for rain barrels to use for the garden! Hubby does countless appliance repairs, anytime I have a repair man in he pushes getting something new. My current struggle is organization and planning meals ahead to get the most out of everything.
Gretchen, it’s fabulous to have a hubby who can fix things! And I think you do brilliantly, I don’t know how you keep up with the busy schedules of three boys and STILL find time to make jam!
I LOVE having a handy hubby!
My friend Julie and I are always talking about the “cost/benefit ratio” of things, and you have nailed this so hard. It’s not just how much stuff costs but the amount of benefit that you get for your outlay. Your monetary costs for bread baking maybe the same as store bought but your benefit is so much higher, not just in taste but in friendship, love and giving. And thank you once again, awesome friend, for the starter. We had “eggs in the nest” toast for breakfast this morning. Hugs, Maz.
Maz, you are the queen of bread baking now, I bow to your genius! I can’t believe how quickly you’ve completely mastered it! :)
Inspirational! Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to read it!
I wish I could give you a big hug right now – I loved this post soooo much! YOU GO GIRL – YOU’RE THE BEST !!!
Ooh I felt that virtual hug! Thanks Cecile! x
Wonderful post. You are an inspiration Celia.
You’re such a lovely friend Deb, I so wish we could spend more time with you!
Well said Celia – love your approach and the fact that you wrote it all down for us to read.
Thank you!
Hi Celia, well written as always I have such great admiration for you x
Stefanie, you’re very kind, thank you!
Well written, Celia. Always food for thought here. xox
Cheers Lizzy darling, thanks!
Great post, Celia. It’s good to know a lot of people are waking up to being more frugal and less wasteful. Years ago we were building a house and we wanted to install rainwater tanks. The council wouldn’t let us – they were illegal. Ten years later we had that dreadful drought and suddenly the council was knocking on our door asking us why we hadn’t installed rainwater tanks! xx
Charlie, how ridiculous is that! How times have changed!
I don’t think that any of us can afford to be wasteful these days. Frugality rewards you with lower overheads and better environmental outcomes but it also gives you something priceless in return, it teaches you how to think about the wider picture. It educates you in how to think about other ways to get what you want that are less harmful. It teaches you that less really IS more and that happiness doesn’t come from “stuff”. Frugality, so long as it isn’t batched up with meanness (can’t stand mean people!) is one of humanities more valuable commodities and as you mentioned, healthy communities are the result of everyone sharing what they can, when they can. We just raked 8 trailer loads of oak leaves from our 92 year old neighbours driveway and lawns as she was worried that she might slip walking down to get the mail. Community benefits everyone involved. We need more of it. Cheers for this post Ms Celia :)
Perfect comment! Thanks Fran! x
Amazing post Celia. Inspiring and true and it takes me back to my childhood and our frugal life in the way you describe it. Oh how I would love to dig into some of that sourdough bread. Looks wonderful! ;)
Colleen, thank you! :)
XXX:)
Wonderful post Celia, and so well thought out and expressed. It’s a small one but I love the idea of your insulated jug. Does it really keep water hot enough for tea for several hours? Our electric water kettle runs for far too long.
Liz, we drink our tea black, so it’s generally hot enough for us for six hours or longer. As you say, it’s a small thing, but it makes me a bit happier not turning the kettle on several times a day (we do it now about twice). :)
[…] am looking forward to reading the other posts on “In My Kitchen“, there is usually a lot of activity in kitchens around the world. You can read all about it […]
Hi Celia, here is a link to my post…love the idea of a bone broth.https://spadesspatulasandspoons.wordpress.com/2015/06/07/june-in-my-kitchen/
Brilliantly put Celia, totally agree and am very appreciative of the sourdough starter you sent in our direction – definitely contributing to our own frugal lifestyle.
Andrea, I SO admire your lifestyle! Thank you for reading this post and instinctively understanding what I was trying to say!
Yes, I love your definition of frugality – makes perfect sense.
Thanks Sara!
I grew up with parents who had a make do or do without attitude. I have a lot to learn from you.
Thanks lovely M! I’m constantly learning from you! :)
Seems I’m late in reading this post Celia, but I so agree. Being 60 I have been through the mass produced age of buying to satisfy emotional needs more than physical ones. I believe we are a generation where great change has come bringing all sorts of stresses with it. I am so glad I have my upbringing, which was very frugal, to fall back on. A bar of chocolate was a true treat! I would love to know how to get some sour dough starter as I am away from home and travelling in our big bus for the next 6 months. Do you have any suggestions? Lots of love and love your posts.
Marilyn, travelling on the big bus for six months sounds like an amazing adventure!
Love you definition from top to bottom. Thanks for sharing, Celia!!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
Thanks Julie! xx
Great post. I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t choose to be frugal. But my kids are terrible – especially one of them. I learned the hard way, during some really lean years, but I still am never wasteful. in fact, I enjoy, when it comes to cooking frugally, to use every last bit of everything in the refrigerator, even though fortunately, we can afford more in our old age. It feels good!
Mimi, hopefully your kids will figure it out. Mine are starting too! I think it’s hard to understand that they’re not bulletproof when they’re young. They think everything will be easy forever.. :)
Just letting you know that my IMK post is on!
http://ale-ligeradeequipaje.blogspot.com.ar/2015/06/in-my-kitchenjune.html
Mafalda is working great and the fruit loaves were a “must”!!!!
Regards
Mafalda is a star, Ale!!
I love the way you think. It just seems to all come back to being responsible & appreciative. We take so many thinking for granted & it seems today everything is disposable. I’m thinking in particular the plastic bottles of water. I’m not sure if they’re as popular over there as they are here but some towns have even banned stores from selling the individual bottles of water because of so much wasted plastic.
I know my mother’s generation which went through the Great Depression and WWII certainly saw things in a different light than people today. Boy, nothing went to waste back then.
Diane, we have little stainless steel drink bottles and they’re fabulous, and now the water in plastic tastes funny! :)
I think you need your own TV show – someone call the ABC..
Ah you’re a love, thanks V.. x
What an utterly brilliant post Celia, and I couldn’t agree more :) To me it comes down to the simple phrase, tread lightly on this earth.
Annie, that’s exactly what was running through my mind when I was writing the post! Tread lightly! Thank you!
Amazing, what a wonderful way to define frugality. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks lovely! x
Celia, you are just brilliant and what a way with words. You have said everything I believe in this post – well maybe not everything, but I’m sure you know what I mean. Fabulous post.
I was actually just coming over to see how long I had to get my In My Kitchen Post over to you and looking at the time over in Australia now, not very long is the answer. I’d better get on with it then.
Choc, you’re very kind, thank you! SO happy to see your IMK post this month!
You continue to inspire me, and lot of others as well. The G.O. and I just did an assessment of what we’ve achieved and how on track we are, and are so pleased with our efforts towards sustainability. It is so much more do-able when you can see others around you going similar, sharing ideas and efforts :)
ED, I know we think very alike on this! You and the G.O. do so well! :)
Hi Celia. I have just posted my IMK for June. I have just had a baby at Epsom hospital so I hope you forgive me for handing it in now. We had a long and difficult delivery, plus Alice was ill following the birth. I hope you are well. I have included a big thank you to you at the bottom of this months IMK post. Emma xxx
I read this a while back but have only had time to comment today, prompted by the ‘bone broth’ outbreak I’ve been seeing everywhere. I don’t have a pressure cooker (yet) but am a firm believer in the recycling of bones and vegetable scraps into stock. I mean bone broth. We also freeze to build up our supply and then use the residual heat from the oven, to roast the bones. I think a homemade stock shines in risotto. I look forward to seeing children selling bone broth at their former lemonade stands on a street corner nearby!
Hi Celia – as we have our own sheep & chickens to eat – plus trade for beef from a neighbour – we end up with a lot of bones ! I do make bone broth in a slow cooker – but would love to purchase a pressure cooker – can you recommend a brand ?
Hi Michelle, on the advice of the folks at pressurecooker.com.au many years ago, I bought a Fissler 8L. It’s been fabulous, but it has a long handle and is a bit tricky to store. A friend gave me her Tefal Clipsal, which is easier to store and wash, but it doesn’t seem to pressurize as well. The Pressure Cooker centre has a great buying guide here: http://www.pressurecooker.com.au/pressure-cooker-buying-guide
There are a lot more brands now though than when I bought mine!
Here’s an article about the difference between stove top and electric pcs:
http://www.hippressurecooking.com/the-difference-between-stove-top-and-electric-pressure-cookers/
Wow – thanks for all of that Celia – time to start some research !