Frugal vs. Cheap

I saw these two definitions tonight and realized I had never thought about it before.

Frugal - money saving measures that benefit both yourself and others

Cheap - money saving measures that benefit yourself at the expense of others

The last few months I have brainstormed and at times "white knuckled" my way toward better choices for our family. I always have said " I am too cheap to...." you name it when it came to something I was not willing to buy, but I think I will not say this about myself again. There is nothing I love more than sharing what I have, and at times it allows me to save. Just like my last blog post about Laundry soap which I shared 250 loads each with 8 other families while saving a bundle myself!

I have found other mothers to trade children's clothes with and save on having to buy for my son while helping others out with the clothes I have to share. The clothes are returned at the end of each season. A win-win for both mothers who have growing children.

This summer, I been unable to pick from my strawberry patch and there is nothing I love more than the ability to have friends drop by and pick them. I save a bundle in my grocery bill by growing my own produce and in the process bless others with it too.

The list could go on. If I have it to give, I will. It makes me realize that pursuing a more frugal life allows me to connect with those who are most important to me. I think what was a "whim" at the beginning of the year may just be a lifestyle change taking effect.

So my goal for this month is to come up with more creative ways that are frugal and not cheap!

The Attitude Of A Home

What a blessing and a curse it is to be the CEO of a home. Many years ago, a woman was the keeper of the home and it was really like a fulltime job as she ensured that her family, friends, and physical home was cared for. Sometimes this meant managing others who were doing the work other times it meant doing the work herself. Either way it was her responsibility.

It will be 3 years this summer that I work fulltime managing our home, and raising our son. With Little Boy Blue on the way this summer I realize just how important my role is. I have not been able to keep up with daily and weekly tasks while pregnant and that has left my husband to pick up most of the responsibilities. While he has done an awesome job of managing the extra responsibilities it re-enforces just how important my "job" is regardless of how much I get paid. It is just a different form of payment.

It is both daunting and empowering to know that I as wife and mother spending full days caring for my husband and family sets the mood, tone, and pace for our home. I realize it is something I should not take carelessly. It is to easy to get bogged down in meal planning, laundry, diapers, and wiping baby noses that I don't see a bigger picture.

I need to remind myself more just how important what I do is, he already does and I love him for it!