A Super Power’s frugal turn

‘Make a grocery list and stick to it. Don’t shop when you are hungry.’

‘Eat less.Drink tap water instead of soda and bottled water.Use what you have.Set up one week a month as a use-it-up week and plan all your meals, using only already what you have.’

From whom do you think the above advices emanate ? From a starving African Country ? No. From Myanmar, a Country recently devastated by an unprecedented storm? No. From Bangladesh, financially a poor Country ? No.

But, it is from US, that too from Kansas City Star, a newspaper, which advised its readers providing tips on the ways of frugal living. Hard to believe? but it is the reality.

Amid skyrocketing fuel and food prices consumers in the United States are hitting the brakes on spending and even discovering the merits of home-grown food.

With petrol prices inching toward $ 4 a gallon, up 25 percent in just five months and domestic food inflation up 6.3 per cent, the American media is full of practical advice on reducing everyday expenses.

The country known for its afficionados of 4 x 4 trucks and sports-utility vehicles is dusting of old books of advice on saving and reducing consumption, including recipes on making soap and detergent.

Janet Fox Kreielsheimer, a financial consultant, advices people to save extra cash and to take long term wiser decisions concerning their finances and to avoid impulse purchases which is the granddaddy of the balckhole.

Chipping in with discount coupons is back in fashion and search for the best deal has become a part-time job.

Practical advice on saving petrol consumption is found everywhere.In some communities four-day work week is being followed to save fuel, traveling trips and to cut fuel bill by 20 %

The frugal lifestyle of the Amish, a religious community that shies away from electricity and other technological advances of modern life, is now gaining more admirers, as are discount stores are run by Amish entrepreneurs.The religious group operates as a network of discount outlets, to which they bring slightly damaged products or things that went out of fashion and sell them at unbeatable prices.

Across the US, flowers are being pulled up to make way for vegetable gardens featuring cucumbers and tomatoes, about 5 % increase than the last year.

Overall Americans spent a total $ 1.4 billions on vegetable producing plans than last year, a 25 % increase compared to 2006, said the National Gardening Association.

It is the fantastic story of the American people who switch over in their lifestyle to frugal ways and thereby move on.