~Frugal Goals-Part 2~

Today I want to talk about quality vs. quantity.  In my life, I prefer to have less items, but the ones I do have, I like to be good quality.  Being frugal does not mean that we want to purchase what ever cost the least.  When my husband choose my faucet he did not purchase the one that cost the least amount, because we want it to be good quality.  He choose to purchase a Moen.  They cost just a bit more than some others, but they are very good quality, and we want it to last.  This does not mean that name brand it always the best.  Some people are willing to spend a great deal of money to have the name brand, that is not me.  I look at both quality and price, but when I am wanting to make a purchase, I want it to last for years to come, and I am willing to spend a bit more to have quality items.  In today's time, it is very easy to research how a product preforms on line before you make a purchase.  So the next time you need to make a purchase consider quality over quantity.  

Someone said to me that you can work less if you don't spend as much.  I have to say that in my experience this is not the case.  I don't purchase as many pre-made items.  I have learned to not outsource things.  I make our own countertop cleaner, face lotion, lip balm, many times I made my own candles.  I make home made food items rather than purchasing them pre-made.  This takes more time and work on my part, but it provides my family with better quality products.  For example, I can use organic flour and a ton less sodium when making home made french bread verses purchasing it in the store. This is good for my husband who needs to watch his blood pressure.  So many times pre-made food is so packed full of sodium that it is no wonder heart disease runs so rapid in our country.  I don't mind the extra work most of the time, because when I make something for the benefit of my family, it makes my heart sing.  Being on a budget for us, is not about taking the easy way out, it is all about working hard now, so that we are in a good place one day, and we can independently care for our selves in old age, and be able to help others when they need help.  

For us we only take a vacation every other year and we very much are excited when it is time to go.  Now, if we were already where we wanted to be financially,  we would travel more often.  However I always try to keep in mind that the rarity of somethings occurrence can enhance it's enjoyment.  So the fact that we can not travel as much as we would like right now, is still not a bad thing. Our attitude about things makes all the difference in the world.  If we learn to appreciate the blessings we have and not always long for more, than our lives can be a beautiful place.    I hope you all have a cozy weekend.  Thank you for visiting my little space.  Hugs ~Juli