This is me when I was in school at Appalachian Bible College.
I’ve been frugal ever since I started spending my own money but it wasn’t until college that I learned the joy of finding bargains. I figured out that when you buy things at a lower price you can afford to buy more things! I learned where the bargain sections were at each store and what day of the week each store lowered their prices.
This is me with Ken & Mally Ham a few months after graduation.
Not long after college I found myself working a full time desk job, a full-time job at a local radio station, and a part-time job selling Mary Kay, still struggling to have enough money to eat. I often went days without food but I was too busy working to really notice. I used my toothpaste sparingly because I knew when it was gone that I didn’t have money to replace it.
A co-worker and dear friend paid for my lunch one day and gave me instruction on how to save money. She bought me a bottle of vitamins, a large bag of beans and a large bag of rice. I’ll never forget how grateful I was! She taught me how to cook them and freeze them in individual portions. She explained to me how with coupons and a sale I could get free and cheap things I needed like toilet paper and shampoo from drug stores. Not long after that I met the man who would soon be my husband. We fell in love and were married in a matter of months and I no longer had to worry about money for food. Because someone cared enough to give me their time, food, and compassion I will never be the same! I want to pass my knowledge on to others and do all I can to help them avoid difficult financial times.
If you’re frugal what made you become that way? I would love to hear your story!
About Ashley
Amy Desrosiers
I have been frugal ever since I was old enough to have money in my possession. Rather than spending my quarters and change in my piggy bank I would “wash”, and polish them to stack in towers. I have always been a saver, and have never purchased items on impulse. When I was 14 I got my first job, and literally started saving for school, my future home, and a car. I would divide my money into envelopes, and record all transactions in a notebook. Due to my excellent saving skills I was able to pay my own way through a college, and university, buy my first two cars ($4,000, and $11,000) with cash, pay for my wedding, and even put down $40,000 on my first home two years ago at the age of 25. When my kids get even a dollar from family members I put it into their savings accounts. I hope to some day teach them how to be frugal, and save every penny they earn.
Wow, Amy! That is incredible! I think your kids will learn how to be frugal in no time because they have your wonderful example to follow!
I think your post is very inspirational, and gives me, and hopefully others the motivation to continue to realize the importance of a dollar, and the importance of being frugal~thank you 🙂
Great post and what an amazing act of kindness from your co-worker to teach you how to stretch a buck. I’ve always been conscious of where my money is going and when I switched to using more and more organic products I had to dig to find ways to save money so I could afford it.
I love saving too! I love finding bargains too!
Oh, you’re so lucky you had that co-worker who introduced you to the ultimate low-cost food AND taught you how to save money!
Wow, that really had a profound and lasting impact. Wonderful!
isn’t it funny how the smallest gifts can make the greatest impact?
What a great gift she gave you that you have now turned around to share with others. What a great story.
what a wonderful story I hate having to go through tough time but how nice of a friend to help you out in time o f need