Cinderella’s Hearth: Frugality From an Expert, By Kate Wolford

Note: I’m a frugality tourist. I like to cut corners when I want to buy, say, a roll of imported wallpaper to back our bookcases, which is what I’m researching these days. Back in 2018, when I was on a serious frugality kick, which lasted about a month, I bought The Complete Tightward Gazette. It was a delightful, useful read, and even though some of the references are dated, it’s still worth it. This column was previously published in September 2018, and I think it still holds up. I hope you’ll agree! KW

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I’m on a frugality kick. No doubt it will pass any day now. I’m from a long line of people who do love to shop, although we do save money well. I don’t think I’ll change my ways too much at 56.

But it’s awfully fun to read up on tips. I purchased an old copy of The Complete Tightwad Gazetterecently, and while author Amy Dacyczyn, a.k.a. The Frugal Zealot, stopped writing about 20 years ago, she remains the mother of the current frugality movement. The book is over 900 pages and  is packed with a dizzying amount of useful advice and ideas about living the frugal life.

Dacyczyn (pronunced “decision”), freely admits that her book is filled with tips that not everyone will want to do. In fact, she doesn’t do a lot of the strategies in the book, because many of them came from readers of her popular ‘90s newsletter The Frugal Gazette. The complete book, which I’m currently reading, it’s actually three books in one. Each book was enormously popular, as is the complete one, to this day.

Enough background. Here are some tips:

Do you have a good top sheet with no fitted sheet? Tie knots in the four corners and make sure the knots are tucked under the mattress. Voila! A fitted sheet.

Here’s a wild one: If you don’t have a salad spinner, rinse your lettuce, shake off the excess water, put a tea towel at the bottom of a plastic grocery bag and add the lettuce. Whirl it around for 10 rotations and you’ve got ready greens. 

This is a really great Christmas gift for a friend or family member who aspires to frugality: Develop a list of prices and other tips—putting it in a small notebook would be a great idea. Then the gift recipient can start off the year on a frugal foot.

While we’re on Christmas, which is in less than three months, Dacyczyn suggests making homemade gifts. I totally agree. She notes that some people think they are inferior, but I would much, much rather have something made with love and attention than another tchotchke cluttering up my house. Our daughter makes chocolate candy and crystallized orange peel, and jams and jellies and sends it to family for Christmas. They love it! They all agree they have too much stuff and would rather have homemade goodies. Many people I know have the same attitude.

Olive oil is a very cheap and effective face and body moisturizer. You could keep a discount brand in the bathroom and your skin will be smooth as silk. Do use it on an inconspicuous spot on your skin the first time you try it, just in case you are allergic, which you probably aren’t. Also, be aware that olive oil can cause acne for some people.

I love this one: The basics of a casserole consist of one cup of your main ingredient, like shredded chicken or diced ham; another cup of a main ingredient, often a vegetable like mushrooms or corn or peas; a cup or two of starchy food like cooked rice or noodles; and a binder like canned soup or sour cream. If you’d like, add something “fun “ like olives or water chestnuts, maybe a half cup or so.

Mix it all together, then check to see if it’s too dry. If so, add a little water or milk or broth. Place in a greased casserole dish and top with cheese or buttered cornflake crumbs or crushed potato chips.

Bake at 350 degrees and start checking for doneness at 35 minutes. Let it rest at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Dacyczyn gave up her newsletter and book writing in the late ‘90s, so there are some pretty dated references in the book. I admire her for giving it all up. It’s a rare person who has the sense to quit while he or she is ahead.

Despite the vintage feel of the book’s ideas, it is inspirational and highly enjoyable glimpse into a way of life that continues to flourish despite our insanely consumerist society. If you’ve never read it, give it a try. It’s great fun to read, and you might even save money.

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Kate Wolford was the publisher and editor of The Fairy Tale Magazine for many years. She’s now enjoying being Resident Fairy Godmother.