I was recently thinking about a couple of things. Our daughter came home with a story about me from one of her teachers. Fortunately the teacher is a very good friend and we happened to be a roommates for two years in college. He has wisely not told her, nor her brothers, all of the stories he has at his disposal. I was drawn though into a time of reminiscing about college.
I was also thinking of my frugal ways. I wasn't always of such a mind. College changed and formed that. I was thinking of the less expensive ways of doing things, and I concluded I learned many of those habits in college.
I lived on $200-225 a month. For Everything. I shared a "tiny house," before there was such a term, with three others. My double sized mattress took up half of my bedroom, so a roommate, now teacher of my children, and I built platform beds to utilize more of the floor. Maybe that is why there are three built-in platform beds for the children.
The kitchen in this house was also the hallway to the bathroom and two of the bedrooms. If you had a journey to the bath, the person at the sink had to squeeze in to let you pass. The house, though was just part of the frugal ways I learned.
Even 30 years ago $225 wasn't much. I learned the fine art of window shopping and no spending. Goodwill, Salvation Army and used clothing stores could provide a nice wardrobe with selective purchases. Top Ramen, tortillas, cheese and eggs can be arranged in many ways to eat. Wish I had chickens then.
Most of all I realized I didn't need everything I saw. I could, and did, live a wonderful life with little spending. Saving for a twice a month night out to listen to bluegrass was an example of spending in a meaningful way.
Oh what a time.
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