topic Re: Waste not, want not... in Community Chat

Waste not, want not...

lovesrecess — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 19:10:21 GMT

Were you raised by frugal parents who had the mindset of waste not, want not? Seems like I learned that lesson well...I am saddened when I see how much food and other things we waste in our country today.

Have you seen how much food grocery stores and restaurants toss when it is still good? Some non-profits receive some of it but it still amazes me how things are thrown away when I see so many needy folks every time I turn on the news.

Re: Waste not, want not...

CelticCrafter — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 19:17:33 GMT

A lot of times the restaurants or grocery stores have no choice but to throw good food away because of the restrictions put in place by the city.

Re: Waste not, want not...

kaydee50 — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 19:17:55 GMT

Yes, I was raised by parents who came of age during the depression. Along with "waste not, want not" my father used to say "take all you want but eat all you take." Wise words and frequently ignored these days unfortunately.

Re: Waste not, want not...

Mombo1 — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 19:35:11 GMT

@lovesrecess wrote:
Were you raised by frugal parents who had the mindset of waste not, want not? Seems like I learned that lesson well...I am saddened when I see how much food and other things we waste in our country today.

Have you seen how much food grocery stores and restaurants toss when it is still good? Some non-profits receive some of it but it still amazes me how things are thrown away when I see so many needy folks every time I turn on the news.

Absolutely! My parents were very frugal. Wasting food or anything was never an option.

As a child, you don’t always see the big picture. We did not have a lot of “things”...But we were very happy with what we had. It was a much simpler time and not so materialistic as things are today. When my brother, sister, and I were grown and ready to go to college...my parents had saved and sacrificed for years so we had no college debt hanging over our heads. The reason we were so fortunate was the “waste not want not” upbringing my parents believed in. I also learned that lesson very well.

Re: Waste not, want not...

Kitlynn — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 19:35:27 GMT

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without! That is what we grew up with and it made us appreciate things when we got them and to not live with a disposable and just buy more attitude.

Re: Waste not, want not...

sidsmom — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 19:41:02 GMT

I, too, grew up with frugal parents but I feel my generation

didn’t learn Want vs Need.

Re: Food

Taking as much as you want but having to eat everything

(I.e Clean Plate Club) is just a bad lesson learned at childhood

causing all sorts of problems in adulthood.

Leaving something on the plate is a good thing, in many ways.

Re: Waste not, want not...

jeanlake — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 19:52:14 GMT

Smiled as I read your topic title. My Scottish / Scandinavian, Appalachian mountain raised dad was a minimalist. He polished his dress shoes weekly and kept them for years. Bought quality and took care of his things. Loved a sale. Our lamps and small appliances were purchased with 'green stamps.' Remember those? I guess it's both nature/nurture for me. Just returned from AT HOME store where I found same dining sideboard/server sold for double the price at Nebraska Furniture Mart. High five and hug from husband in the parking lot. I can pay full price if I really like something, but have to do my homework first. I also buy clothes at off season sales. Two of my three children have the same mindset. Youngest adult child is finally getting it. Thrilled to watch her let go of some of her excessive ways.

Re: Waste not, want not...

mac116 — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 20:08:52 GMT

@Mombo1

My parents did the exact same thing with my brother, sister, and me. Frugal living, and we never felt deprived.

THEN, tuition for all three of us at private colleges was paid in full by them. They did not want us to start out with debt. What a gift and a blessing! My husband and try to be frugal with every day things in order to enjoy " not so frugal" vacations.

Re: Waste not, want not...

Pook — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 20:24:06 GMT

My depression era parents did the exact opposite. My mother's parents had a large garden and raised rabbits and chickens so they always had more than enough food. Forcing someone to eat more than they want is worse than wasting some food! In the end it is really wasted if it is not enjoyed and wanted and the children end up with issues more than likely! I know my dad used to say that he had to do without growing up and he'll be dammed if his family will have to do that! He wanted a better life for his children.

I also know that groceries stores are required to throw away things and not really able to allow anyone to have them even for free as well as restaurants.

Re: Waste not, want not...

SeaMaiden — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 20:28:34 GMT

I am obsessed with NOT wasting food. I hate to through food away. Just the two of us....I make sure we do not buy too much and use up what we have. I wrap things to help them not go bad fast...

Re: Waste not, want not...

Sooner — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 20:36:54 GMT

We eat what we can, sometimes throw out stuff because we either don't have time to cook it, or it goes bad before we get to it.

It doesn't really worry me. I don't do it on purpose, I can't ship it to someone else, so it isn't something I can help. It happens.

What really bothers me is people who are really "tight" even when they could afford not to and go around bragging about it. It's money. Not sanctity. . .

Re: Waste not, want not...

Anonymous032819 — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 20:45:18 GMT

Growing up, I was never forced to eat every morsel on my plate.

If I was full and there was food left over, that was perfectly fine with my parents.

Re: Waste not, want not...

lynnie61 — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 20:50:04 GMT

Although we didn’t have to clean our plate, my mom gave us reasonable kids portions so we usually ate it. I see so much waste at buffets, normal meals. Sometimes I wonder why folks go out to eat. A few bites and toss the rest. I try not to waste. And try to cook what we would eat or freeze.

Re: Waste not, want not...

Grouchomarx — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 21:04:34 GMT

I’m the opposite case. I grew up with parents who were always chucking leftovers in the trash. I would get upset and say wait, let’s feed it to the animals in the yard. And I’d put out a plate for the cats, raccoons etc. I was an animal obsessed child, not allowed any fun pets (only a hamster). I think my parents were wasteful because they both grew up pretty poor, and my dad had a very good job and provided well for us and they felt like why do we have to save every morsel, we’re okay. Somehow I turned out to be a person who hates to throw any food away, I try to be very strategic with shopping and cooking. Chucking food pains me!

Re: Waste not, want not...

GCR18 — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 21:31:08 GMT

No, neither parent was frugal with us.

Re: Waste not, want not...

Mombo1 — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 21:35:24 GMT

@mac116 wrote:
@Mombo1

My parents did the exact same thing with my brother, sister, and me. Frugal living, and we never felt deprived.

THEN, tuition for all three of us at private colleges was paid in full by them. They did not want us to start out with debt. What a gift and a blessing! My husband and try to be frugal with every day things in order to enjoy " not so frugal" vacations.

That warms my heart to know others were blessed in the same way I was. I remember at one point my brother, my sister, and I were in 3 different colleges at the same time. It was a tough time for my parents.... but they were prepared. I remember having $5.00 a week for “spending money”. I rarely spent any of it but occasionally splurged on some pizza with friends on the weekend. 😊. I agree with the not so frugal vacations sometimes. Looking forward to a trip to Disney in 2020 with the grandkids. Something to look forward to.

Re: Waste not, want not...

Sooner — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 21:36:06 GMT

It's terrible people have to feel guilty about throwing away food you aren't eat. Of course you can't eat everything you buy, of course things go bad before you get to them.

Unless you are simply wasting food for the fun of it, it's terrible that anyone has to be burdened by guilt over that.

Re: Waste not, want not...

Veridoc — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 22:32:33 GMT

My mom could make a roast for Sunday dinner and by Friday the leftovers magically turned into something chinese. I wish I had paid attention.

Re: Waste not, want not...

AuntG — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 22:40:34 GMT

We didn't waste much. Everything was paid for in cash - my dad would stop in at the phone company and electric company to pay our bills on his way home from work.

Re: Waste not, want not...

RedTop — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 22:44:58 GMT

Our rabbit beagles would’ve starved if it hadn’t been for the bites of food left on our plates!