Living on one income can be pretty challenging sometimes, especially when you are surrounded by a consumerist culture. Luckily, there are always ways to save money along the way. An old proverb says, a penny saved is a penny earned, and I agree. Though a housewife doesn't directly participate in earning money, she will often participate in barter economy, one of the advantages of which is the fact that you are not paying any tax on services and goods exchanged.
Through the years, a lot of hand-me-down things have passed through my house. Some of them I used myself, some were passed further to somebody who I knew needed them. For instance, for a long time I didn't have to buy teacups, because I got a nice set from a friend, free of charge.
I use second-hand stores to buy books and sometimes clothes and have collected quite a library. Of course, I also buy new books, mostly through the internet, because I want to order certain titles, but if I have nothing to read at the moment, and don't particularly care what book it should be, I just visit the nearest second-hand shop and return with a novel for 50 cents. If I don't like it, I through it away or give it to someone else. There is even a second-hand book store in the neighbouring city which allows you to bring back the books bought there and you get paid 25 cent for each.
To watch films, I often use YouTube or internet, which costs me basically nothing since I have an unlimited access and pay per month. I prefer watching old films anyway, as they have at least some morals in them and portray male-female relationships more realistically, and they are seldom shown on the TV, unless you pay for extra channels, so that YouTube is quite a way out. I also got a lot of DVDs as presents through the years and gave mine which I wasn't interested in any more away.
I know someone who shared housework with a friend. Once in a certain time they would come together and clean the house of one of them, and next time it would be the house of the other one. There is always something which you can exchange for something else.
Now you may say that you never got anything for free from anyone in your whole life and it may be true. In this situation, why not start doing it yourself? It's now time for the spring cleaning. While you are busy decluttering, look for things which you don't need, but which are still in good condition and offer them to a neighbour, friend or relative or donate to the charity shop. Remember what goes around, comes around. When you start sharing with people, you'll always get something in return.
Once again, a great post. Staying home is less expensive because you do not need work clothes or lunches out or transportation expense. Two can live as cheaply as one, if they do not feel they need two of everything, and can share. When it comes down to it, if there is absolutely not a cent to spare, a woman can use her creative mind and write stories or make things herself. I can remember growing up in the home of very resourceful parents who spent evenings telling stories, and for luxury would have pie and coffee.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Lady Lydia
ReplyDeleteWhen there is a housewife in the home, she makes the home more productive. Housewives that gardens, make clothes for the family, raises some small livestock, made their own home decor items, preserves their food, etc. And of course bartering is a natural part of this lifestyle (I got 8 Muscovy Ducks in exchange for 8 of my Welsh Harlequins - the Harlequins cost me nothing since they were born here - same for the person with the Muscovies - so it was a good exchange cause we both got what we wanted without it costing one penny). These types of activities not only saves money but makes the home more profitable because now you have more and eat more for much less and enjoy a higher quality of life. Not having to depend on money for EVERYTHING is a nice way to live! It gives one a nice sense of freedom. And freedom is part of real wealth.
ReplyDeleteShaolin
That is, imo, the true meaning of Prov.31.
DeleteHere is another link you might like Hearth and Home http://cookbook.vcdesignconcept.com/
ReplyDeleteSoooo much information on doing things the old fashion way. Many old time recipes and how tos. I love this kind of stuff. You might like it too.
Be well.
Thanks, I will surely check it.
DeleteI loved this post. Thank you
ReplyDeleteLesley x
You are welcome, Lesley! BTW, Shaolin, I checked the link and liked the site very much. I'll talk about it in my next post.
ReplyDelete