QUESTION: This was from a student " By never buy what you can get for free, I assume you are advocating theft." Honest to God someone really asked that… After I got done laughing along with most of the class, I replied.
ANSWER: No I don’t advocate theft in any way. I don’t even buy the argument that a starving man should be able to steal a loaf of bread. Now for items that have been abandoned ownership like a couch, or table put by the curb, this is not theft, but the re-cycling or the reception of charity, depending on your labeling system. These items have been legally abandoned by their owners. If you are truly destitute in the USA you can get emergency financial aid and get food at places like my favorite charity The Food Bank. This organization collects day-old bread, and donated food goods for distribution to people in need. We give every week to this fine project. Please contact them if you need food aid.Better than stealing that loaf of bread!!
In The USA:
Second Harvest Food Bank
http://www.secondharvest.org/
Food Bank Australia
http://www.foodbank.com.au/foodbank.htm
Daily Bread -Food Bank Canada
http://www.dailybread.ca/
QUESTION: If I practice frugal living I’ll never be able to get credit.
ANSWER: Now you know my views on debt servitude (see bio). But no you can get all sorts of credit if you are just reliably employed. I’ve worked part time since my son was born and my hubby works full time. We get several offers for credit cards in the mail every day. I love them. They make nice notepads, free envelopes, and tinder for my wood stove!
But you should really consider why you are speculating on the future. In our uncertain financial climate it is probably best to save money each month and buy the item you are considering going into debt to acquire.
Can you make do without it? Can you combine resources with others. Several of us in my "starving artist" days got a large apartment together and split expenses to have a place in a safe neighborhood rather than live in single super cheap efficiency apartments on the bad side of town. Consider these sort of options before aquiring debt. You may never need a credit card. For card-type purchases you can use a debit card or check card from your bank. Just don't keep your whole life savings in there in case of theft or fraud.
For more ideas Check out these Frugal Living Books!
Complete Tightwad Gazzette
The Complete Tightwad Gazzette
Declare Your Finanacial Independence
Declare Your Financial Independence
Complete Cheapskate
Mary Hunt's Complete Cheapskate
Miserly Moms
Miserly Moms
You Can Afford to Stay Home With your Kids
You can Afford to stay Home WIth your Kids
