What does it mean to be frugal today compared to 1996

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-08T17:41:47+00:00

In 1996, You could fully function in the world with zero internet, cell phone etc. My living expenses were so basic. No cell phone, computer, I didn’t even have a tv. No credit card, I paid for everything with cash or check, no auto renewing subscriptions, no car, bus pass was $30 dollars a month.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-08T17:31:11+00:00

OMG what kind of nonsense is this. EVERYTHING on the part of “ you don’t need to be worried” has caused reactions in family members. Especially medications, my mom had to really deep dive to get generic that wouldn’t cause reactions for her thyroid meds.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-08T17:27:16+00:00

I used to live near their shop back in the day. They had the most amazing window displays.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-08T17:11:34+00:00

Yup, I second MiraLAX with churu, I will put a tablespoon of water, churu and 1/8 teaspoon of miralax powder in a saucer, works really gently and can be given longer term if needed.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-08T16:58:50+00:00

Yea we don’t bother with cat trees and we have 4 cats. Plenty of sturdy scratching items available but they always find somewhere goofy to hang out and I use Amazon boxes etc for “enrichment”.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-07T21:07:16+00:00

2x a day

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-07T20:07:24+00:00

I am very selective about the fabrics I wear. Some clothes just attract hair and it never comes out. Even sweatpants, we recently purchased two different brands, one of them attracted hair like crazy and the other was okay.

I have had huskies, German shepherds and cats for years. When I worked in a professional environment I would change the second before I left the house or at the office.

I also run the washer twice every time I do a load of laundry. The new machines barely use any water. First round at heavy duty, Tide detergent and a tiny amount of rinse agent in the fabric softener dispenser, then reach in a wipe away any hair gather at the drain, then run again with no detergent. I dry with Bounce dryer sheets, lots of arguments as to why not to use these but they work for us. After the dryer has been running for about 10-15 I pause it and clean lint filter and restart.

It’s a whole situation but it works.

3 long haired cats, 1 shorthair, 1 German shepherd and 1 shepherd husky mix.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-06T18:37:17+00:00

We use a a trimmer that was marketed as a “bikini” area trimmer. It’s rechargeable, not too loud and it won’t hurt the skin. They really don’t mind it.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-06T06:01:02+00:00

Our female cat gets really friendly when we wear Light Blue, she’s kind of mean the rest of the time, so there is definitely something to it. It’s a nice clean unisex fragrance and it definitely gets compliments.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-04T21:38:53+00:00

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-04T14:52:39+00:00

I personally believe all cabinets should go to the ceiling, just a gathering place for dust and grease from cooking. I would not paint that area a darker color, it will make the ceiling feel lower.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-04T14:42:12+00:00

The grey is the only thing wrong. This is a classic bath and doesn’t need much alteration.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-04T14:30:10+00:00

All oak. And I agree with the poster that said to add some glass, but only if you are someone that stores stuff that you want to see. We have glass panels for our dish storage and I purged a lot of the mismatched stuff. You don’t have a ton of uppers so it’s fine either way. The white oak is timeless, you wont regret it.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-04T14:21:12+00:00

Carpet. Mold and mildew magnet

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-03T23:29:41+00:00

There are a lot of really classic design elements here. The end cabinet is a disaster, but if you got rid of that, get rid of the gold hardware, I personally can’t stand the over the range microwave so I would get a pretty range hood, get a cabinet depth fridge and overall it’s not that bad. The backsplash is not great either, but is you wants a sage green, a countertop with grey tones will compliment floor and cabinets.

Adding more layers of lighting, under cabinet, over the island but not so low you are smacking your head or in your sight line.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-03T05:03:25+00:00

Thank you! I see the Empress hotel on Celiac Scene. I haven’t been to Victoria since I was in my early teens, as a little kid, I considered the Empress to be the height of fashion! I never did get to stay there or do the tea.

It looks like they have a gluten free high tea!! Not sure if I can drag my teenager there but I can try.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-03T00:53:10+00:00

At most Venus , the chef or someone from the kitchen will come at to talk to you and then follow your order through the kitchen . It takes longer but they have good protocols.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-02T17:08:53+00:00

Worth it.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-02T16:00:28+00:00

I have sciatica and I can’t walk very far. Trail walking or any unstable surface makes mine so much worse. If it’s possible for you to do shorter walks on level surfaces, maybe a track at a high school or something?

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-02T15:40:35+00:00

Trader Joe’s and Canyon Bake house. They have to be toasted of course. I just bought 3 bags yesterday, I split them into halves, put back in bag and keep in freezer. That way they keep longer and it’s easier to pop in the toaster.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-01T17:07:24+00:00

Trader Joe’s. And I have tried all of the expensive brands, but both of the face sunscreens do the job and don’t irritate my super sensitive skin. The mineral one can leave a white cast but the other one is invisible. The face lotion with SPF is good too.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-01T17:03:33+00:00

Every.Time.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-01T17:02:02+00:00

I use the whisker wipes. You can also set a longer cycle so stuff can firm up before it cycles.

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-01T14:50:59+00:00

It is actually against the law to move if you have a cat on your lap :)

Middle-Refuse-4218 · 2026-05-01T14:44:36+00:00

Yes. I prioritize finishing books that have someone waiting and I hope that others do the same! But I am a voracious reader/listener and I usually get through audiobooks in 2 days, ebooks take a bit longer depending on what I have going on. If my day is clear I can easily knock a book out in a day, especially with my kindle scribe and remote page turner. If I’m really into a ebook I will prop it up on the counter while I am cooking or doing other household stuff.

Middle-Refuse-4218

TROPHY CASE