Exercising true frugality

Would you “waste money” on something of questionable value? Something that receives only a passing glance or less, that is fleetingly or not at all appreciated, that is mostly discarded within days and is often a mere obstacle to the prize within? I bet you would and have, possibly multiple times a year.

I try to resist, but it is fruitless, we are cornered. There are other ways to approach the situation, but most of us are trapped by convention. The sinister people involved create the need and have for a long time. The first of these was created in1843 in London for Sir Henry Cole. The tradition that trapped us began in the 1870s.

Connie and I went shopping for our latest supply yesterday. I picked up one or two and looked at the price. Nope! I don’t care who it’s for, I’m not paying $6.99 for a birthday card for a one year old. I’m pretty sure he can’t read it and the parents are more interested in the paper inside. 

What’s wrong with writing a note and putting it in an envelope I asked.  That didn’t go over well so we drove a few miles using $0.75 worth of gas to a store where they had cards for $1.00. I like paying less for a greeting card than a gallon of gas. 

The frugal version is not as glitzy, they don’t  speak, there was no chip, but they were to the point, “Happy Birthday.” Do I really need to express my thoughts on life’s journey and a bright future? 

My curmudgeonly view is the price of greeting cards is out of hand. They are like buying a house. We used to be satisfied with six rooms, one bathroom and closets you just stuck your arm in. Now we demand a bath with each of four + bedrooms, walk-in closets larger than a normal bathroom and extra family rooms for our families that have declined in size to four people…sorry I got off track. That $7.00 card threw me. 

So, leave that greeting in the case, write a nice personal note, put in a #10 envelope and make that special person, and you, happy and then legitimately claim to be frugal. 😎

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