Radical Frugality

I've had some major life changes in the last two-and-a-half years: quitting a job, starting a company, major cross-country move, and a new baby (now toddler!). I've also made a few steps in my own frugal journey: surviving the lean months with little income during my maternity leave, descent into overspending from overwork, and hopefully now a return to more dedicated budget control. Through it all, I've gained and learned from doing Frugal Watch.

Here is a new breed of Frugalite I've found that might provide some fodder for inspiration and/or amusement. Frugality, it seems, is much more hip than it was when I started the Frugal Japan community back in 2002. As with any movement, there are a wide range of participants. There are people that are mildly interested (frugal observers), folks like me (the modestly frugal) - and then there are folks like Brown Dress Girl (http://www.littlebrowndress.com).

Actually, Brown Dress Girl is extremely cool. (If you didn't click on the link above, know that Brown Dress Girl spend an entire calendar year wearing a *single* brown dress that she made. She layered during winter, washed it many times, and of course replaced the buttons, but she spent an entire year without buying any new clothing. A deviant, brilliant social statement.) She, and the other urban homesteading, dumpster-diving, dryer-lint saving crew are what I term the Radically Frugal. They're vocal, driven, and ... actually, quite an inspiration.

The start of a new year is an excellent time to wipe away a past of financial mistakes and start afresh. And heck, even if your well-intentioned goals only last a few weeks - you're still a few weeks better off financially than you were before! So, to get your frugal drive in gear, I offer below links to a few Radically Frugal persons and websites I thought might inspire you. As with anything, take the recommendations with a shaker of salt. I'm not suggesting we all follow their paths (I certainly couldn't), but perhaps one step in the direction of radical frugality might be worthwhile.

Radical Frugalites/Frugal Sites

Judith Levine

http://www.judithlevine.com
Author of "Not Buying It - My Year Without Shopping"

Dumpster World

http://www.dumpsterworld.com
No, I'm not kidding. It has over 3400 members.

Freeganism

http://freegan.info
Frankly, these folks sound a bit extreme. But there is a good philosophy (in moderation) here worth looking at.

Urban Homesteading

http://www.urban-homesteading.com
This sounds more do-able - and very fun!

Earthaven

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/14/AR2006111400979_pf.html
Eco-commune in the North Carolina mountains