I was raised to be thrifty, that to squander resources, including time, was almost a moral failing. The proverb “waste not, want not” was taught to me at a very early age. Later on my role model was my father, a civil engineer who took a quiet pleasure in finding the most effective, efficient solution to any challenge i.e. the path that consumed the least resources while yielding the greatest possible benefit.
As an adult I learned to avoid the trap of obsessive, compulsive frugality: time, energy, and mind space are also important resources so, no, I don’t save soap bar scraps. I also learned analysis from an overall system point of view and to ask more global questions: If the very process of recycling itself consumes immense resources, wouldn’t it be better to substantially reduce packaging at the very beginning of the cycle?
To this day I take delight in finding ways to do more with less, to find a way to advance multiple objectives with a single action, to stretch a dollar, to get the biggest bang possible for a buck.
Closing Quotes:
“The earth has enough for man’s need but not for his greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi, 1869- 1948
“A penny saved is a penny earned.” – Proverb
“For want is nexte to waste, and shame doeth synne ensue” – first use of the phrase in 1576 in THE PARADISE OF DAINTY DEVICES by Richard Edwards, p.88
As always, I share what I most want/need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier
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