Fru·gal /ˈfro͞oɡ(ə)l/ adjective
“he led a remarkably frugal existence”
Cheap/CHēp/ adjective
“they bought some cheap fruit”
adverb/ at or for a low price.
“a house that was going cheap”
There are distinct differences between being Frugal, and being cheap. While in definition they appear to be somewhat similar I can assure you they are not.
Being Frugal is not throwing out any food, everything is used for something.
Being Cheap is buying used tires for your daughter’s car because new ones are TOO expensive.
Frugality is a mostly forgotten word and skill, in todays throw away society. Oh the thing broke, trash it and buy a new one. Forget trying to repair or reuse thats just silly.
My generation grew up in a different age that is for sure. The disposable world hadn’t blossomed. We still used returnable glass bottles which were reused, and fully recyclable unlike the plastics we use for everything today. When things broke we fixed them, because we could not afford to buy new. We shopped second hand, because unneeded by someone was a blessing for another. Things were built better, not Joe Biden better, just better. (sorry had to do it) We were truly Frugal because we needed to be, because every penny counted especially when it came to food. Growing up poor taught us how to make something from nothing, and created a world of unknown chefs and inventors.
The world we live in now is a world of Cheap! Everything is built for the least possible cost and highest profit with quality taking a backseat and profit being the only endgame. Things today are built to keep you buying, and not for durability and value. Consumerism is pissing down your back and telling you its raining. We are all the victims and the product and there seems to be nothing we can do to reign it all in. We all love the right here right now world we live in, where everything is just a click away. Everyday I drive by the massive landfills of our discarded lives, and wonder when will it stop. Where else are gonna going to dump our discarded lives?
I do see a growing movement toward a more simple life, and frugality fits right in with that lifestyle. Take what you need and leave the rest and always give back more than you have taken. If you don’t need it anymore, someone does. All you need to do is open your eyes and look around. To know who needs help, one only need ask. I can tell you this, if we keep living in a disposable world, we to become disposable. At some point we will all be living in a trash pile. Mother earth does not need us, but we surely need her. Frugality is a path traveled humbly. While my voice alone will never make a difference, many voices united can. Going in reverse is never a good solution, but a more sustainable way forward would sure be nice.
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