The Trick to Frugal Summer Living in America This Year

Americans, frugal? Hard to believe, isn't it. The people who invented consumerism have done a 180 and turned into total savers and frugal freaks.Three years ago the average American family carried a whopping $12,000 in credit card debt. Today that is down to $7,500. People are paying down their mortgages ( if they still have houses and jobs), paying cash, living on budgets, driving smaller cars, buying fewer clothes and taking fewer trips. Everybody knows someone who used to live high off the hog and who is now on the skids. It's quite sobering and a big wake up call.

Consumerism is so passe.. Ever since the housing market tanked and the job market followed in 2008, those of us who still have jobs have been remembering what our grand parents always knew....i.e. if you don't have the money, don't buy it. Their watchword was " Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" a mantra that is in vogue again as consumer debt goes down and savings go up. More Americans than ever are getting off the consumerism merry-go-round and are discovering that being frugal and saving money can give them an even bigger rush than a shopping spree or the biggest SUV on the block. Cheap is chic these days, and saving money is no longer shameful. It is the cool thing for everyone from those just out of the cradle to those with one foot in the grave..

The big money saving tips are obvious and you've heard them over and over again everywhere. . This hub is to tell you about small changes you can make right now to save money and still live well. . I'm talking about penny-savers not dollar-savers. To quote Ben Franklkin: " take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.

Saving on Your Water Bill

1. Take a shower instead of a bath A shower uses only 8 gallons of water compared to 21 gallons for a long soak in the tub.....added bonus? No bathtub ring..
2. Install a rain barrel Catch that rainwater by putting a rainbarrel under your downspout and use the water it catches on your garden or lawn. Thirsty summer gardens can hike your water bill bigtime.A rainbarrel will help you have a lush garden and a low water bill
3. Turn off the tap when washing dishes by hand, brushing your teeth, or washing vegetables.Rinse hand washed dishes in a pan full of rinse water instead of under the tap. When brushing your teeth, fill a glass with water, turn off the tap, brush and rinse out your mouth with water from the glass. Vegetables and fruits can be rinsed in a bowl of water rather than under the tap. If you think about it, you'll find other times you can turn off the tap with minimal inconvenience. You'll be surprised at thesavings
4. Don't use bottled water When it comes to drinking water, turn the tap on if you want to save a real bundle. Bottled water is not only around 500 times more expensive than tap water, it also costs the environment plenty, even if you recycle. You will be saving money and helping the planet by using filtered tap water for drinking and cooking and leaving the bottled water on the supermarket shelf.
   

1. Forget Fast Food I know the kitchen is hot and you are busy, but fast food is not your friend. Not only does it pack on the pounds, it empties the wallet. Try cooking a large portion of chili or stew on the week-end, freezing it, and using it for ready made meals through the week. It only takes minutes to make a big salad and the bonus of sitting down together at the end of the day is food for the soul as well as the body.
2. Cut Down on Meat This is the time of year to eat less meat and concentrate on fresh fruits and veggies. Just eliminating meat from one or two family dinners a week can do wonders for the food budget and your taste buds won't suffer. Vegetarian chili, hearty salads and cold summer soups made with fresh produce are the way to go both for your health and your food budget. There are many ways to get complete proteins without meat.
3. Grow Your Own It is easy and not very time consuming to grow some lettuce, carrots, and maybe a tomato plant or two in your own backyard or even in a container on your deck or patio. It will taste good and save you money and how convenient is it to just step into your back yard and come back with salad for dinner.
4. Get Rid of Sodas If you haven't already done so, get sodas and carbonated colas, energy drinks and bottled iced teas etc. out of your life. Your body and your bank account will thank you. In hot weather we need more fluids, but water from the tap is free and homemade iced tea is easy to make-- all it takes is boiling water and a few tea bags. Steep it and then put it in a pitcher and refrigerate. Let's see, a box of teabags vs. 8 or 10 bottles of prepared and sweetened iced tea at $2.50 a bottle? Do the math. This is a no brainer, especially if you have kids.

Save on Electricity

1. Ceiling Fans can save you money on air conditioning. In fact using any kind of fan in conjunction with your home air conditioning can save you money by allowing you to turn the thermostat up or turn the unit off altogether and use only fans and cross ventilation on all but the hottest days. One or two ceiling fans can save you a ton of money.
2. Dish and Clothes Washers should be run early in the morning or late at night when electricity usage and rates are both low Also run machines only with a full load.
3. Hang Your Laundry Out to Dry The old fashioned outdoor clothes line is making a comeback and saving $$$. Forget the electric clothes dryer. Do it the old fashioned way in summer when the sun not only dries your clothes, but leaves them smelling wonderful too.

And here is the big secret of successful frugal living. Stay positive and never never never feel deprived. The way to do this is to put some gratitude in your attitude and feel good about your life and lifestyle. You are not losing anything. You are gaining in control over your life, control over your personal finances and you are helping to improve the environment for all of us. So cheer up and enjoy the summer. Living Frugal in America can actually be fun.