The last couple of weeks have been busy at work. Last Wednesday we found out that for the next three months we will go to a four day week. For me that means a three day week. It was interesting to see how people reacted. Most were okay. A few not so much. Already they are running out to find part time income. All of them have spouses who are in well paying positions. A few already have part time jobs. What I find interesting is that if they would give up a few things, spend less on fancy foods, entertainment, they would be fine. I work in a research place where the whole staff are food scientists or are production specialist on food. Yet they do not see the obvious. Eat plain, eat less, waste less and grow a garden. All of them are in my children’s generation. Where did we go wrong as parents. In the quest to wanting a better life for our kids, most sadly missed the mark. Over and over my children and those of our friends were taught to be frugal and gave them the skills to live that way. My children thank me. My daughter is frugal to the point she still uses dishes etc that she got from the dollar store, from us or grandma. My youngest son is married to a gal who is super frugal and he is happy to let her handle it all. Yes they do discuss things but trusts her judgement as she was raised the way he was. My oldest son is frugal where he doesn’t spend any more than is needed. He has always been wonderful at budgeting and knowing how to have enough for future needs. I am happy both my husband and I came from very poor households. Every mother had a rag bag in those days. My mother had a rag corner, meaning my aunts and here would go to sales of used items. They would bring home not just home goods but lots of clothes that could be made into other clothes, blankets, towels etc. They hit the jackpot a few times so each ended up with rag corners or in one aunts case a shed. All items were rotated fast or it seemed like it. One time she bought a gorgeous fur coat. That became lining for winter jackets. My mom could look at something in a catalog, go through the corner and voila it was made then next day. She could make a pattern out of old newspapers. Needless to say, I was impressed.
Hello! I was going to tell you where I found your blog, but I set it aside until today, and now I've forgotten! Oh well, I'm Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage. I've written a lot on my blog through the years about being thrifty. If my parents would have stayed together, I would have had a comfortable childhood. However, when my dad left my mom, little brother and me, she had to go to work for the first time (other than her high school car hop position). Needless to say, she found a minimum wage job, and even with alimony and child support it was very hard for her to take care of us. 1973. In fourth and fifth grade, two things happened. I got Mrs. Higgs for my teacher, and the bicentennial. Mrs. Higgs was into all things crafty. Instead of regular paper crafts in school, she also taught basic sewing/embroidery, macrame, and other interesting hobbies. She also read Little House on the Prairie to us. I was hooked! On crafting and Little House. I decided that I was going to learn to do all kinds of things. Learning so many things, and learning to cook made all the difference in my life when I grew up to be low income also. Even though I went to college, I ended up a stay at home mom then homeschooler. God gave me a nudge in both. Knowing how to make do made all the difference through the years.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I never learned is how to make a pattern out of old newspapers. It would be an amazing skill to have.
Well, that's enough of an introduction for now. Please visit me at Harvest Lane Cottage and/or email me back! As you can tell from the 1973, I'm retired from homeschooling, but with no pension! LOL I am now working a few days a week as a substitute school teacher. Oh, the irony!
Be blessed!
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage