While discussing frugality with fellow frugal blogger, Mary Ann Romans, I learned a brand new word. “Frugalista”. Apparently my style of frugality has a name. As I previously mentioned, in my blog ‘A different type of frugal blogger’ , my goal in life is to get things my family (especially my husband) needs, and sometime wants for as little money as possible.
So, what is a frugalista? The urban dictionary defines a frugalista as
“A thrift shopper who will stop at nothing to get a bargain; including trampling store employees to death. The term is a combination of “frugal” and the Spanish suffix “-ista” which connoting someone who is dedicated to a cause.”
Perhaps the Urban dictionary is being a bit harsh. Not only will I not trample anyone, but I won’t go into a crowded store.
The New Oxford American Dictionary says a frugalista is ”
a person who lives a frugal lifestyle but stays fashionable and healthy by swapping clothes, buying secondhand, growing own produce, etc. This could become the nom de guerre of the ‘recession warrior.’
Whew!, much better! (Fashionista is out, frugalista in in!)
Wallet pop goes even further in defining a frugalista that takes it beyond fashion.
“Frugalistas eat well because they cook from scratch, join organic produce buyer’s groups, and grow their own vegetables and raise chickens for healthy eggs. They get together for book clubs and cheap French wine instead of cocktails; they meet for crafting sessions instead of manicures; they shop at bazaars instead of malls for holiday gifts. Frugalistas are prepared for the economic downturn, and they’re looking good.”
Yeah me!
As a freshly dubbed frugalista I have a few steadfast rules for keeping my family looking and feeling good without going broke.
1. I am a fixture at the local outlet mall. Fortunately, I live 1 mile away from it. (If that far) Don’t get the wrong idea though. Just because I know each store in the mall intimately, does not mean that I spend a ton of money at the mall. Instead I commit prices of key items to memory and patiently wait for the things that I do purchase to drop in price. (I do all of this while ‘walking the mall’ for exercise.)
Read Outlet Shopping by Mary Ann Romans
2. I never wait until I need something to purchase it. As a wife of 17 years and a mom of almost 15 years, I can pretty much anticipate the needs and wants of my family. By buying items in advance at clearance prices, I can avoid high ticket prices on last minute items.
Read: Frugal Shopping: When To Shop For New Clothing
Frugal Shopping – When to Get the Best Savings on Kitchen Item
Frugal Shopping: When To Get The Best Deals on Sports and Other Outdoor Hobbies
3. I take good care of what we have. I avoid replacement purchases by preventing damage and wear of our current clothing items and other household goods. Staying organized and putting items away is a big part of taking care of your possessions.
4. I know when to use coupons, and when not to. Check out the Free Coupons website.
Andrea Hermitt writes for parenting (specifically teens), the home blog, and also the frugal blog, and homeschooling at families.com.