Frugality vs. values?

[awakenedsoul]

I used to buy all organic produce. This year I've returned to buying conventional, due to my budget cuts. I grow vegetables and fruits, so at least those are organic. I look a the big picture, financially. Do I have enough saved for retirement? Is my emergency fund fully funded? Am I living beneath my means?

I do buy grass fed beef and lamb, but don't eat it very often. It's very expensive. I also buy soup bones from farmers who sell grass fed beef. Now that I buy my produce on sale at Vallarta, I'm spending a lot less money on groceries. They have excellent specials. I wash it in baking soda.

My father is in perfect health, is 84 years old, and he doesn't eat organically. He has good eating habits, though. I would like to buy all organic, but I just can't afford it right now. It's more important to me to stay in budget.

[ApatheticNoMore]

Sometimes I'm pretty cynical (no really! ) and I think well if all the money in the world becomes worthless (not likely unless it's invested in the stock market - then plenty likely) at least I'll still have my health (I hope). And that and all the other reasons is why organics.

[Ultralight]

I think you shouldn't do anything that goes against your values, period.

This would be rather impossible. I wouldn't drive or even ride in a car. I wouldn't eat anything with milk products or factory farmed products in it. I wouldn't pay taxes. I wouldn't buy anything with plastic. I would not go to work. I could go on and on. Living in this society makes you do things against your values just to survive.

Of course, some people's values are different. And some other people don't have any values to speak of! haha.

But if you can live 100% according to your values, more power to you!

[Gardenarian]

I guess it's a matter of how you define values. I think your values are reflected in your actions; if you want to know what you value, then look at how you spend your time and money.

So, I have a ton of shoes. Maybe 30 pairs (mostly secondhand.) I have had major issues with my feet and taking care of my feet and my mobility are really important to me.

Another example, I do value independent bookstores, and when I must buy a book I do so from my local shop. On the other hand, I don't want to own a lot of books, so 99% of my books come from the library.

I walk to whatever I can, but when it 102* outside I will drive my car if I must be somewhere, because I value my well-being above the small amount of carbon that will put out. (And honestly, I walk more because I enjoy it than for the environment.)

All these decisions we make everyday - how high we set the AC, how much time we spend giving to others, caring for ourselves...even little choices, like how and what we garden - these all deeply reflect our values.

I agree that frugality is a value, but how is that value actually manifested? We both might have the same food budget, but we'd likely spend it in very different ways.

It's kind of a reality check to look at what you really do - your values may not be exactly what you think! I love the idea of being self sufficient and doing DIY, but here I am getting my oil changed at OilStop...

(P.S. I love your signature quote, U.A.)

[Ultralight]

Good points, Gardenarian! You have a good lifestyle. I dig it!

I spend my money on gasoline, rent, utilities, student loan repayment, groceries, fishing bait & tackle, my dog, dating, and perhaps a few other things that escape my mind -- oh yeah, and taxes. I pay a lot in taxes.

It looks like I value getting by, fishing, and my dog -- and not getting in trouble with the IRS!