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.
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
© 2007 Wendy J. Imura.