The American Frugal Housewife

My mother gave me this book for Christmas and I loved it. So often, I think we tend to look back in time and think that life was simpler then, that if we only lived during the days of Little House on the Prairie or Little Women or Pride and Prejudice that our lives would be easier. We envy Ma and Jo and Meg, thinking that if we had their lives, we'd be happier and less stressed and busy.

 

First published in 1832, The American Frugal Housewife: Dedicated to Those Who Are Not Ashamed of Economy is filled with wisdom and practicality that shows that our lives as women aren't all that different from then. That even in 1832 they dealt with some of the same things we find challenging today.

Take a look at how the book opens:

The true economy of housekeeping is simple the art of gathering up all the fragments, so that nothing be lost. I mean fragments of time, as well as materials. 

We live in a world of left-overs--and so often they are wasted. I love this idea of gathering fragments of time and materials to create something useful. It's quilting--bits and pieces made into something with both function and beauty.

And this from the section entitled "Philosophy and Consistency":

True wisdom lies in finding out all the advantages of a situation in which we are placed, instead of imagining the enjoyments of one in which we are not placed.

Amen! How much time do we waste wishing ourselves in a different place?

And this thought about buying things we don't need:

Do not let the beauty of this thing, and the cheapness of that, tempt you to buy unnecessary articles.

Or this about how we teach our children about money:

In early childhood, you lay the foundation of poverty or riches, in the habits you give your children. Teach them to save everything,--not for their own use, for that would make them selfish--but for some use. Teach them to share everything with their playmates; but never allow them to destroy anything.

We live in a disposable world, but that doesn't mean we have to join in. My great aunt Sissie lived this truth--saving bits and pieces of string and lace and pads of paper. She never wasted anything. And while it became something we laughed at, we have treasures because of it. (Don't you wish you'd saved your Wonder Woman lunchbox? I sure do!)

Of course, there are some outdated things in the book like how to prepare calf's head and make cheese and other recipes I will never, ever try--not in a million years. (Did you know you can eat pig snout? Eww!)

But there's a lot of good stuff in this little book--and I'm going to go back through it again, paying special attention to all I underlined and want to put into practice. Especially the section on "Education of Daughters." Which has enough good stuff for another post on another day.

I've been thinking about 2009 and have been praying about what God wants this year to be for our family. I've not really sensed a clear answer yet, but the ideas of "economy" and "frugality" and "obedience" are intriguing. Living within our means. Financially. Physically. Emotionally.

I'll keep you posted...

Comments

[angela]

So appropriate for the beginning of a new, refreshing year. I love teaching my kids to save and value the things that they have. I look forward to more posts about this.

[Shane]

This book looks great - thanks for sharing.

What program do you use for your buttons and web design? I love what you do!

[Holly @ Crownlaiddown]

Oooo, I LIKE IT! I want to live by those principles so badly.

Thank you for sharing your treasure, Joanne!

[Susan]

As I have been going through things in my house, I have been reflecting on a couple of similar thoughts. Why do I have some of this stuff? Why am I keeping it? If it is not something I've used or even pulled out of the container in the last couple of years...I toss it or set it aside to give to ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Others). Some things (especially as I've been going through my BOOKS today (lol, Joanne) I realize that a lot of these books are one-time read and I can easily borrow them from the library if I ever want to read them again. A couple of novels I know I will read again so I'm (very selectively) keeping them. As I run across some of our children's books I either set them aside for our grands...even knowing I can always purchase another copy I like our much-read dog-eared pages...pack some things up for Shawn's classroom library...and I've even set aside a couple of books to send to some folks I know. While doing all of this, I've been cranking Newsong on my iPhone and really thinking about what God wants us to do in 2009. I'm getting lots of ideas from Him. (That and a headache from paint fumes!)

Back to it...I love hanging on your coattails going into this simplifying/reflecting/new year~

Love ya.

[Bobbi]

I have that book!! I got it at "Farmer's Museum" in Cooperstown NY one summer! They have an "old" neighborhood there! It's a neat book!

[Tammy S.]

Sounds like a great gift you received. I love it when you get something like that...unexpected and is exactly what you like.

I look forward to hearing about the Education of Daughters. I feel very inexperienced with raising my little girl at times. My parental examples were not the best, so I love to learn and gain wisdom on that subject whenever I can!

Hope you are having a great new year!

[Just a Blink]

Thank you, thank you for including such a tender and true topic. Your post is timely and I am hopeful that it will be heard around the blog-o-sphere and beyond.

Here is to Wisdom in 2009!

[mzzterry]

I,too, am intrigued by the living within our means prospect. Wholeheartedly being exactly the person God formed us to be. Fulfilling His desires for our life, in all areas.

Happy New Year.

[Chester NY House Cleaning]

That was a very interesting book. It was "the" book to have if you were a housewife in 1830's. Most of the essays are still relevant today. Author fell out of favor when she spoke out on slavery issues and educating daughters.

[shoe drives]

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