I live in a world of single-use and disposable items. Don’t we all. I have a Frugal Living lifestyle. But do you ever wonder if there’s a difference between being cheap and being frugal? I like nice things. I like quality items. Living in my small Trailer might seem easy to judge. As if living in a modest home means having nice things is not allowed or it’s out of reach.
When I first moved in, it was a difficult time. I had lost many of my belongings throughout the years. And those belongings reminded me of the life I had lived. It was like losing chapters of myself. Things I had collected… just gone. As life got hard, I was unable to keep it all.
In an effort to re-build my life, I began to collect things for my new home. Not knowing if I’d be able to find the item in the future. Viewers kept sharing that I would be happier if I let go. I was even called a hoarder. The implication was made that I was a slob. At times, I still receive opinions on my current setup as if it’s not good enough.
I don’t have any one particular style. It’s not like I could categorize my stuff into “this stays” or “this goes” because it does not fit my aesthetic. Now that’s an over-used word in today’s world. Often used as if saying the word “style” is too flat and needs amplification.
I like what I like. Shopping at thrift stores gives me the chance to find interesting and useful items – what I’d call a quality item. And if it’s vintage, then it’s top-shelf quality to me. Living in a world that teaches style must be changed every year or so does not suit me. I may not have the best of everything but as I like to say: I make the best of everything I have. And I’m still figuring out how to make my home better.
I think it’s great to upgrade items to better quality as time moves on. At some point I asked myself: how many brand new sweaters do I need when vintage ones are built to last a lifetime. Do I need something mass-produced, that’s a “fast fashion” trend. I’d prefer a sweater with a story. A sweater that gets me through the cold of Winter. Quality items do that. I find so many to choose from at thrift stores.
I’ve learned that an upgrade can be what others donate because it’s out of style. It’s not trending. As I navigate the cold of Winter, I realize the wool blankets I collected are functional and practical. They may not have “the trending look” but they offer qualities that will outlive any trend. They are useful items, built to last.
Back to how I keep my home. I improve my home as I can, using what I’ve got and upgrading when I can. I make it better along the way. I have wanted to make a “reading nook” but could not figure out how to do it … until now. I think I may have figured it out! Like a puzzle, my home is coming together one piece at a time. And I’m still deciding for myself what I want to keep and let go of to improve the quality of my life.
In today’s world, the de-cluttering trend is pretty loud. Organize, de-clutter, reset … it would be so nice to do this one time and be done with it. It’s an on-going process for me. And as I get there one puzzle piece at a time, I know achieving my goal is within reach. It’s like good design. You can have a well-designed space without a renovation, without spending a lot of money. It’s within reach and I can see it peeking through the horizon of possibilities for my home.
Thank you for reading my article!
I think it’s great that you thrift- I’m a thrifter myself! I love a great bargain! I do the same at the grocery story. I always look for markdowns, or discontinued food items.
As far as the dump, that’s right up my alley!
I love how you put lunches and dinners together. I love to cook and not tooting my own horn, but I’m a good cook.
Your trailer is adorable- good on you!
Take care and screw the haters!
Julie
I enjoy cooking, too! It’s a lot of fun to make pretty plates of food. As for thrifting, it’s a lifestyle choice for me! I’ve been lucky to find a lot of good quality items and I’m looking forward to doing more projects on my home to make my space work for me. Shopping at thrift stores makes for a unique design and if I can pull it all together, I think it will get even better this year as I curate my space more!
Very thoughtful comments. I grew up in the 60’s/70’s in a home with not a lot of money but with a thrifty, work hard and make do family attitude. My brothers and still carry this attitude today, even if we can afford “more”. I will buy nice pieces here and there but can say 75%, or more in my house is thrifted. Something I’ve been doing since collage. Always got compliments on my clothing (I retired after 36 years teaching art) I’d say 90% of my closet is thrifted. I just wanted to say something how you live is refreshing to hear and see. Good for you. ❤️ I also love the gormet-like meals you create with your food pantry finds…even though I can’t stand mushrooms! 😂 You go be you!
Thrifting is a great way to save money and get good quality items! I think buying gently used items is perfect. I’ve worn thrifted clothing for many years. I enjoy looking for well-made pieces from clothing to furniture. I do enjoy cooking and preparing pretty plates of food. It helps feed my creative side! Even with those pesky mushrooms!!
I think you are doing a great job with your trailer. I love to thrift and it is always fun you never know what you might find. Since I stopped working 5 years ago, I have narrowed
my wardrobe down, to things that are useful and comfortable. I love to cook and try new recipes, when I go to a store I always make sure to check out the discounted and clearance section.
Thrifting is a great opportunity to find the best deals! There’s so much stuff mass-produced now that just won’t last as long as vintage items. When I find high quality fabrics like wool, linen and silk at thrift stores, I stop and think about how old the item is and what lifespan remains in the item. These are great fabrics. I’m at a point where I can curate my clothing to what I really like. Functional pieces are a must for me! I’m having a lot of fun making my home better and have some low-cost projects I’d like to do this year to improve my space. One project and task at a time really makes a big difference to me!
Sarah, you have a blessed outlook on your life and home. Watching you grow and make adjustments to your home and enriching your life is fascinating and wonderful.
I love that you pay attention to what you allow in and what you decide to let go of. It’s not simply letting others tell you what to do or how to think. Your home is your zone and safe space. What you think and feel about it is what’s important.
I quit living for others opinions and am learning who I am and what I need to be peaceful and happy. At 59, my life and outlook is very different than when I was younger. I decorate my home with my son, and we create spaces we love and enjoy. I’ve discovered I’m not a minimalist, I prefer to have my treasures where I can see and enjoy them. My hand me downs and family reminders. So precious and important.
I pray that you continue to be yourself and honor your blessings. You’re doing great things and helping others learn and grow.
It is a blessing to have my Trailer home! It’s funny how life can work out. I tried to buy a house several years ago. Back then I was outbid by $1,000. That amount of money came between me and a 1930’s home I would have loved to live in with my dogs. It had the original features. A couple years later, the folks that won the bid were ready to sell. They removed the sinks that were so beautiful and to my opinion, ruined the features I liked the most. They wanted double what they paid. Now I’m in my “unremarkable” Trailer trying to give it a facelift of sorts to make it special. And life is good eventhough it did not work out the way I had anticipated. Instead of being in a vintage home with terrific features, I’m in this Trailer making it my own. Life is still very good. Love that you and your Son make your home exactly what you want it to be!
I grew up in West Virginia in a family that was considered poor. At a young age I learned how to be “‘frugal”, and carried it over to my adulthood. Fortunately, I had 2 wonderful loving parents that the Lord blessed me with, they were older when they had me so they taught me martialistic things and expensive things were not as important as other things in life. My cloths were hand me downs or handmade, I was lucky to get a new pair of shoes a year, sometimes wore other shoes that belonged to someone else, even if they didn’t fit. I’m 73 years old and still by my clothes at thrift shops, shoes also, like you, most are in excellent shape. My furniture is from thrift shops and community shops that sell dirt cheap. I don’t care about what others think when they come into my house or judge me on what I wear, I’m proud of my life, how I was raised. I think the way you live is wonderful, it’s you, it’s how you want it and you do a good job at living comfortably, don’t worry about any negative comments you get, they are probably head over heels in debt and not anywhere close to being happy like we are, don’t ever change, be yourself and stay just like you are, comfortable, happy, kind and carefree with yourself, take care and may the Lord send you blessings today and always.
Thank you for your kind words. I remember growing up in the 80’s before the Internet, and going to thrift stores since I could walk. I’d go to school and kids made fun of me because my clothing was different. But the funny thing is, my clothing was actually better quality. I did not know that at the time. Those of us that choose to continue shopping at thrift stores and discount stores make a good decision. Sometimes it’s for necessity. If ever I won the lottery, I think I’d still shop for clothing the way I do. With all of the poor quality clothing that’s mass-produced now, it’s designed to break so to speak. Photos I’ve seen from the 40’s and 50’s, everyone looked great! Their clothing was made to last 20, 30, 40 plus years. Not in today’s world. I too understand the value of shopping for affordable items. The $5 rug I got from Habitat was such a great find. Sure I can buy a brand new rug online but I can’t get a quality rug for $5 unless I hunt for the deals. I’ve known folks that have spent $10,000 for brand new furniture and other folks that pick up items for FREE at the dump. I love to see what people do and how they make their homes work. I think the homes that have unique pieces found along the way are the ones with good stories. I look at my Trailer and the stuff I have right now and recall the stories that accompany it. That makes for a good life. God Bless You!
I love going to thrift stores. You do a great job of managing your life. I wish I enjoyed cooking as much as you do though. We all have certain things we love and enjoy and I don’t really care what people think of my home. If I enjoy it that is all that matters. By the way I love mushrooms don’t care for kale though
God bless
Oh yes, thrift store shopping is a lot of fun for me, too. I think if ever I buy a Stove, it would be great to cook on. I’ve got a pretty good setup with my countertop appliances but sometimes I miss having a Stove! I would probably enjoy cooking more with a “fully equipped” kitchen. It’s a joy for me because I get to be creative. At times I just want something really simple like a bowl of cereal. Other times I like to get fancy. God Bless You, too!