I was ready to post -- Another NO SPEND day when I came across this great article.

When I have used the word FRUGAL with my in-laws and other family members they make a face and say " like a cheapskate"

UGh !...
This article says it SO WELL.

Frugal Living: When Less Is More
By Josette Coppola

Frugal living sounds like a charitable way to describe the lifestyle of someone who is cheap, but it’s actually a term that can imply much more than simple economizing. Traditionally, the concept of thrifty living emphasized the financial streamlining that characterized efforts to save money solely for the sake of stockpiling or investing it. The ultimate aim was to gain the peace of mind offered by financial security or to accumulate a ready supply of cash for future uses or emergencies. Nowadays the idea expanded to include not only saving money but also conserving resources. The principles of frugal living today usually focus on establishing a way of life that does not glorify the pursuit of excess but instead encourages a respect for minimalism. Living thriftily is not a financial practice but a spiritual philosophy, one that gently but firmly insists that less is more.

Is Enough Ever Enough?
Some of us have a difficult time accepting the frugal attitude, and if we look around our world, we can understand why it violates our customary way of thinking about life. Everywhere we go, various forms of media from newspapers to television to the Internet bombard us with images and words, and the common message is one of conspicuous consumption. We are told in both subtle and overt ways that we should channel all our time, effort, and talent into acquiring as much money as we can and amassing as many possessions as our houses and garages can hold. Frugal living may seem like a bizarre concept in the face of all this rampant commercialism......

For more go to : www.lifescript.com

I was reading over some of the sidebar links over at LUCKY ROBINS blog and clicked on "all things frugal"

This article caught my attention.
Maybe it will give others something to think about,too.

.....
Alive and Present

by Steve Goodier

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright once told of a childhood incident that may have seemed insignificant at the time, but had a profound influence on the rest of his life. It happened when he was nine years old. It was winter. Young Frank was walking across a snow-covered field with his uncle. As the two of them reached the far end of the field, his uncle stopped him. He pointed out his own tracks in the snow, straight and true as an arrow's flight, and then young Frank's tracks meandering all over the field.

"Notice how your tracks wander aimlessly from the fence to the cattle to the woods and back again," his uncle said. "And see how my tracks aim directly to my goal. There is an important lesson in that."

Years later the world-famous architect liked to tell how this experience had greatly contributed to his life's philosophy. "I determined right then," he'd say with a twinkle in his eye, "not to miss most things in life, as my uncle had."

He determined to be alive and present. To be fully aware and squeeze as much life out of each moment as possible.

We will miss most things in life if we live in the past. Let us learn from the past, but not live there.

We will miss most things in life if we live in the future. Let us plan for the future, but not live there.

We will miss little if we live in the present. And we'll have more fun along the way!

Wednesday was a SUPER GOOD DAY for me.

I did not spend any money and did not use any gasoline, ( a NO DRIVING DAY, too)

Our afternoon temps are going above 100 degrees, so I guess I will SPEND money when the utility bill arrives.

I wanted to ask about food cost for families that have all the kids at home.

Do you have a garden or do you use lots of frugal recipes for the summer.

My DH seems to eat less because of the heat, but, seems to enjoy fresh fruit more in the summer months.

Going to PULL OUT my quart mason jar and count my dimes.

We have continued adding but little ole dimes don't stack up too fast.

We left North Florida in March for a short term work assignment. Should have been 60 days -- now we are into August, and we see ourselves GOING HOME.

I have had limited internet connections so I am most interested in getting back to my SWEET POVERTY FLATS page.