My story begins in outport Newfoundland. This environment greatly influenced the person I was to become and how I viewed the world. My grandparents had lived through the shortages of the Second World War. My grandfather was a member of the NFLD Regiment during the War. He had survived the horrors of war to return to Newfoundland, where he made a meager living hunting, fishing, and whaling. He had a few cows and a horse. Everything he did was done the old-fashioned way; there were no short cuts and few modern conveniences. Newfoundland was a poor colony and a have-not province. Add to this the fact that it was an isolated island and you get an environment where nothing was wasted or thrown away. Reduce and re-use were en vogue in Newfoundland long before the environmental movement was created. Despite the fact that my parents both had good jobs when I was growing up, nothing was wasted. It was only as an adult did I realize how the things I had always done were actually good for the environment.

As a child, I was an avid reader, and I was especially taken with The Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I would pretend to be asleep and then read under the covers with a flash light. I awoke early in the morning to continue my adventures with this American Pioneer family. I was hooked, completely fascinated by life back then. The desire to live in a sparse log cabin has stayed with me to this day. I am also addicted to history and love to visit historical sites and discover how life was lived without our modern conveniences.

I love the conveniences of modern life, but I hate the wasteful nature of our lives. It is bad for the environment and it is bad for us. Today, children are being raised with a sense of entitlement that would have my grandparents shaking their heads. Gone is the accomplishment of working hard for what you have.

Several years ago, I decided that my life needed a major change. I was not sure what I wanted; I just knew that I did not want the life I had. The most major change I could make was to join the Prince Edward Island Regiment as a Reserve Armoured Officer. While on an army course, I met my future husband. I have since left the military, but I am an army wife who lives a life of moving constantly, living in military housing, and dealing with my own unemployment. Photography is a business based on name, and because I move frequently, establishing my business has been difficult. Small military towns are also not the place to be using a BA in Political Studies. Life is about compromises. For me, it has meant leaving family, friends and a job to live an adventurous life with my husband. I have made sacrifices that have been hard but all worth it.

My background has been a great asset in making one pay cheque stretch. During tough economic times, we can all learn the lessons of our grandparents who lived through the really tough times. Reports are telling us that Canada is coming out of the recession. Whether this will be proven true or false, the reality is one of tough economic times worldwide. Difficult decisions are being made everyday. What do we need? What can we do without? Can this wait until next month? Counting our pennies does not have to be as difficult as it may seem. It is possible to live a rich, fulfilled life while living within or even below our means.

This column will offer tips on saving money. And in the process of saving money, we can also help save the environment. Our households are the perfect place to begin making little changes that will make a huge difference to our wallets as well as to the earth. As I am writing this, I am also cooking up a storm. Once I am done with the oven, I will leave the door open and heat up my kichen.

I am excited to share what I have learned, both from my background and my current situation. I welcome you to share any tips and tricks that have helped save your hard earned cash.

Remember,

Beware of that bargain that will cost you.
Take care of things to make them last.
Waste not, want not.

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