The Frugal Woman

These lovely irises are from my mom.  Thanks mom!  There's nothing like spring flowers to brighten one's day.  She is often leaving little surprises at my house after a shopping trip and occasionally they're flowers.  My mom drops off all sorts of other things, too.  Clothes and shoes for the kids are a favorite--you know, the kind on which I wouldn't ever spend money because they're either too expensive or not absolutely necessary.  My kids have way more clothes than they could ever need, but still they come.  She also brings lettuce (the Costco packages are just a little too big, but such a good deal who can pass it up?), fruit, car floor mats, swimsuits, and frozen chicken...to name a few. 

Now, one might wonder, why all these random things?  And if my kids already have enough stuff, why don't I just tell her to stop?  

You have to understand a little about my mom. She grew up in a family where money was tight and married into a family in the same situation.  My mother has always lived a frugal life.  I was raised shopping clearance sales, hunting for bargains at D.I. and scouring garage sales for exciting finds.  My mom, out of necessity, is also an excellent seamstress (Sadly, not passed on to me.  I get too impatient with a pattern, though I can manage baby quilts).  My younger sister and I always had coordinating dresses for Easter and Christmas and we loved it.  My mom made all my prom dresses and my wedding dress.  My mom is also a wonderful cook (this did get passed on, if I do say so myself) and makes most things from scratch.  I actually commented to my friends while on a cruise after high school that I was kind of tired of the food on the ship and was craving my mom's roast beef, potatoes and gravy. They thought it was hilarious that I would want a "home cooked" meal when I had all the gourmet food I could eat right there in front of me, and ice sculptures to boot. 

My parents' financial circumstances are somewhat reversed now that most of the kids have grown up and they both have full-time paying jobs. So, when my mom spots a cute dress for Grace or shirts for the boys (and still many great items found at garage sales...she never passes up a great deal and never will) and brings them by, I know it's her way of providing me with things she would have liked to have given to us when we were kids but couldn't afford and also her way of enjoying the freedom to buy something when she wants it.  Who doesn't like shopping when you actually have money you can spend? You can only get so much stuff for yourself.  I always prefer shopping for someone else. In addition, I know this is my mom's way of relieving some of the financial burden of her children, who, similar to my parents in years past, are pinching pennies, clipping coupons, and, yes, shopping at D.I. and garage sales. 

So whether or not my mom thinks that much about it every time she buys lettuce or flowers, I do, and I appreciate it.  Love, you Mom! Happy Mother's Day!