What frugal habits have you inherited ?

flubberyzing

2 from my Mum that immediately spring to mind.
- Fat from the Sunday roast. Mum would drain it off into a bowl, put it in the fridge and there was the fat/oil she'd grab a chunk off next time she wanted to fry eggs or make roasties. I can honestly say that she hasn't bought a bottle of oil in 15 years, even since she stopped making her own chips in the fryer.
- If she needs a tissue, she'll take one from the box, rip it in half, use a half and put the other back in the box! This always struck me as odd... I mean, who would want to use half a tissue that's rather crumpled/mangled from someone elses hand?! Fortunately Mum was always the main tissue user in the house, but if any of the rest of us needed one, we'd just grab the next in the box!

Hermia

Whilst my parents never got into debt, I wouldn't describe them as frugal. When I lived at home it was me that would reuse things and put a jumper on rather than put the heating up. My mum thought I was insane! My parents were baby boomers and enjoyed having all mod cons and ready meals etc. I do find it slightly irritating that there is this idea that the older generation is/was frugal and responsible and the younger generation are wasteful etc. I look at lots of my friends and they are far more frugal and conscious of limited resources than their parents.

givememoney

PipneyJane wrote: »

Oh, Lord. Where do I start?

In the meantime, she could usually be found sewing on the little Toyota machine she bought while expecting my oldest sister.

QUOTE]

I have a Toyota machine, useless, my old Singer was much better, they should have stuck to making cars.

When the sauces bottle seems empty I stand it upside down on top of a new one so the last little bit drains into the new bottle.

Tawny75

givememoney wrote: »

When the sauces bottle seems empty I stand it upside down on top of a new one so the last little bit drains into the new bottle.

I do this too! And use a the very last bit of spread from the tub too.

VJsmum

Tawny75 wrote: »

I do this too! And use a the very last bit of spread from the tub too.

And then swirl water into your sauce bottle and put it in soup or bolognaise sauce? I do that. There is NOTHING left in that bottle when it finally stops being used.

My mum taught me to knit and to make do and mend. She also taught me not to take anything for granted. I think the best thing I've inherited is the ability to "get on with it" whatever "it" is.

[Deleted User]

I still reuse a butter wrapper for greasing my baking tins and have had a 'dripping'jar from left over fat from bacon or cooked meat for years.Nothing gets wasted at all in my house I would find it very hard to waste stuff even though I really don't need to be frugal as I used to be when the children were growing up.I just think its awful to throw out, or waste anything.I think my lovely old frugal Mum ingrained it into me when I was a little girl.I also reuse small plastic bags by washing them out

Skint_yet_Again

dxm wrote: »

Washing out plastic bags - my mum always did it, and I carried on with the habit. I'm sure friends are completely baffled if they come round and see them hanging on the washing line.

Yes I do this too !!

Tawny75 wrote: »

I have also learned respect for elders, respect for the law and authority and I hope I have instilled this in DD also.

I was always brought up to call someone Mr xxx or Mrs xxx and I must admit I found it really weird when my sons school friends would come round to play and think nothing of calling me by my first name

Have really enjoyed reading all your posts. I also remembered last night my dad always called catalogues "wishing books" and refused to let any in the house. It used to be frowned upon to buy things "on tick"... its a big change to today with all the "buy now pay later" deals

missladyannie

My mum has a fat jar too for fried eggs etc!