Being Booga

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Hi My name is Cricket and this is my personal blog

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I’m good at finding deals, surviving and thriving in hard times and keeping a brave face. I appreciate “good things” I insist on good value and quality for what I spend my money on - as for children, I raise mine to be independent thinkers and to always look to their own happiness as their personal measure of “success”.

As a mom to five (ages 19, 17, 10 and 8 yr-old twins) it seems I’ve always had to use my wits to stretch the budget in order to keep everyone well-fed, dressed and supplied with the essentials. I feel like after 19 years of having to employ hard-core hard-knocks in-the-trenches money-saving and scrimping techniques, I have learned something.

Still, to this day, I’m extremely frugal - and I don’t use the word “extreme” lightly.

I’m really into making food homemade, wearing aprons, 50s diner style, and thrift-shopping. I want to feel good in my home, and I want this web site to remind us of the good old days - back in mom’s kitchen, when things were simpler - when she clipped coupons, bought food on sale and made things from scratch.

My Story

In 2004 I was divorced and financially and emotionally devastated by it. I decided to take the plunge and move to the rural Midwest (from Denver, CO) , which was always a dream of mine - you know, small house in the country - I’d raise chickens and craft and grow a garden - Well I did just that. I also went fishing a lot, became a “Master Gardener”. I loved my house in the country. I met lots of wonderful people who appreciated me for who I am, not for what I have or what I do. I discovered that living a simpler life really was possible. I loved living in the country and plan on returning.

In March 2007 I was laid off my job as an IT Director. I quickly got a full-time job as a day waitress, but it hardly could pay the bills. I had to give up my car and now I’m in danger of losing my home. In Denver 2007 I was completely out of money, going without firewood (heat!) and doing poorly. Job prospects were nill so I returned to Denver to find work.

I’ve had to live on a very tight budget in order to survive and thrive. I’m learning how to do what I did in the country in the city. I call it “Frugal in the City” - it’s possible.

I am lucky because doing well on a very tight budget isn’t new to me. I’ve decided that it’s a life I like and even if I had a lot of “extra” money I believe I would still do things this way. Living this way is making it possible to pay off my debt. I am forced to shop more intelligently and be a more thoughtful consumer.

I feel whole, more complete when I am living simply. I shop at alternative shops outside my neighborhood - it helps me - I feel like I’ve expanded my community. I clip coupons, watch for deals, and stretch every dollar.

Thanks for reading. And, Oh, by the way… A good friend came up with this, as a description of “ME”, Cricket:

Elegant, Sexy and Resourceful

Survives, Thrives, Relies

on her Wits,

50’s Mom blended with Punk-Edge Thrifty -

Corporate Wife meets Kitchen Witch -

Frugal and Looking Fabulous

frugal money management, simplicity, thrifty fashion and style, decorating skills, cooking skills, intelligent shopping, cleaning and organizing, clothing care, using coupons, finding free things, doing good and helping others, living simpler, using a budget, staying organized, frugal hobbies, home-based business, earning money by doing what you LOVE, shopping smart, spending smart, harnessing our creativity

Since this a “new” experience, and I like blogging and I have had this domain for a long time I decided to fire her up once more and document my successes and failures, and maybe just maybe help someone else out in the process and meet other frugal-bloggers for friendship and support.

Have fun - and thanks for reading. You’re FABULOUS!