Some years ago, as a new Relief Society President, I taught a lesson on frugal living. I ran across the lesson recently and thought that with the current economic conditions, there was much that could be re-learned from that old lesson. So here it is, presented pretty much as it was presented back in 1999. I’ve removed references to games we played as a learning experience, but decided to leave in the names of the dear friends who gave me their best frugal living tips to include in the lesson.
President Gordon B. Hinckley had much to say on the topic of “thrift” and I’d like to share some of those things with you before we start the lesson so we can see that there is a prophetic basis to learning to live frugally.
“I commend to you the virtues of thrift and industry,” said President Hinckley. “In doing so, I do not wish you to be a ‘tightwad,’ if you will pardon that expression, or to be a freeloader, or anything of the kind. But it is the labor and the thrift of people that make a nation strong. It is work and thrift that make the family independent. Debt can be a terrible thing. It is so easy to incur and so difficult to repay. Borrowed money is had only at a price, and that price can be burdensome. Bankruptcy generally is the bitter fruit of debt.”
The Prophet has also said, “I deplore waste. I deplore extravagance. I value thrift. I believe in prudence and conservatism.”
President Hinckley has also said, “We live in an age of persuasive advertising and of skillful salesmanship, all designed to entice us to spend. An extravagant husband or wife can jeopardize any marriage. I think it is a good principle that each have some freedom and independence with everyday, necessary expenditures, while at the same time always discussing and consulting and agreeing on large expenditures. There would be fewer rash decisions, fewer unwise investments, fewer consequent losses, fewer bankruptcies if husbands and wives would counsel together on such matters and seek counsel from others.”
It is with that thought in mind – seeking counsel from others – that I begin with my grandmother’s favorite saying and our first category of the evening: Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do or Do Without
• Take care of what you have. It will last longer.
• Check clothes for stains before washing and drying; because once the stain is heat set, it’s there permanently.
• For a grease stain, spray it with a small amount of WD40 before washing.
• Don’t throw away those little scraps of soap. Instead, after you’ve used them for the last “useable” shower, piggyback them onto a new bar of soap by pressing firmly. They will adhere as the soap dries and you’ll extend the use by a couple of showers.
• Another soap trick that I learned from my Mom – store your year’s supply in a container under the sink, but take the bars out of their wrappers. Being exposed to the air makes the soap harder, so it lasts longer.
• Teresa Hina says to rinse out containers such as laundry soap or shampoo with a small amount of water to get another use out of the product.
• Sonya Brantley cuts open toothpaste tubes to squeeze out the last few drops.
• Sonya also re-uses paper towels to spot clean the floor before throwing them out.
• Karen Bearce mends clothes rather than replacing them. She also cuts off jeans that the knees are out of to make shorts.
• Monique Bayes suggests wearing clothing that isn’t dirty a second time before throwing it in the wash. It will not only save on utility bills, it will also extend the life of the clothing.
• Jennifer McCafferty recommends learning how to fix it yourself. Read up on home repairs, auto repairs and other simple repairs, or ask someone who is familiar with what you’re trying to do for help and guidance.
