Community

One thing that struck me as measurably different between my parent's experiences and my own was community. My parents were raised, educated and married within a few miles of their family's home. They bent the pattern of their extended family members by moving 25 miles out to the suburbs shortly after their marriage where they remained in the same house for 48 years.

All our holidays and milestones where celebrated with a gaggle of extended relatives and neighbors. When my Aunt Betty needed to remodel her kitchen, we were all there pitching in. Weddings were massive and funerals were supportive. Our extended community included our neighbors. My brother and I walked to our elementary school and my brother is still friends with guys with whom he attended grammar and high school.

When my parents moved to their retirement community, so did two of the neighbors from their old street.

In hard times, we must circle the wagons. First, within our own family. We will talk more later about cheap family-friendly activities. Then within our community. This may be a good time to evaluate your relationships outside your home and your job and see where else you would fit within the community.

Perhaps you can start with donating time to a charitable effort. Perhaps you can expand your business connections with membership in Rotary or Lions Club. Their charitable endeavors may help you adjust your perspective that you are not as bad off as some.

Perhaps church or PTA or volunteering at a batter woman's or animal shelters. Any of the time you invest is greatly appreciated but also fosters the sense of community.

Within community you will find new ideas and new perspectives. Within community we can find kindred hearts and share the load.

I always like to think of our Mennonite community in TN. They used cooperative efforts to build homes and businesses, care for children and the elderly, and stick together against adversity. A tragic car accident took the life of the wife of a shop owner. When we went to the shop a few weeks later, complete strangers were running it. They were allowing the family to continue their mourning and healing. It was quite apparent that this was a beautiful example of community at its best.

As we talk about canning, cookie exchanges, bartering and trading, community is the vital link in these endeavors. Who is struggling that you can reach out to? You will feel richer for it!

Happy Cheapness!