About TFF
Welcome to the frugal side of Fairfield, Connecticut!
A testimonial to the power of TFF:
Dear Marilyn,
~Cheers, A loyal reader
It’s one of the many valuable comments we’ve received in the recent years. Let’s face it–-Fairfield County, CT is an expensive place to live whether you are on a fixed income, single income, or even two-or-more incomes. Most of us feel the pinch of the high and ever-rising cost of living, namely the prices of food, gas, and oil.
When this blog was established in 2008, all the rage was about the cost of a gallon of milk reaching $4.09 at Shaws on Black Rock Turnpike. Today, in 2012, all the rage is about the cost of a gallon of gasoline – $4.12 and rising. Shocking!
My friend and neighbor, Aimee O’Brien, and I started this blog to provide an online community place to share local affordable ways to live in Fairfield, CT. After all, not all of us can or want to move to sunnier, cheaper climates. (We know how frustrating it is to watch HGTV just to see a beautiful 3,000-square-foot Colonial newly constructed home go for a mere $250,000 elsewhere!)
Since 2008, I’ve been writing posts that reflect how my husband and my two frugal-in-training kids are negotiating this affluent home we love and call Connecticut. Aimee contributed posts about her frugal ways much of 2012, but she has taken a teaching job. My frugal family and I have taken over the reigns once again to offer our readers a wealth of tips, ideas, experiences and invaluable resources we’ve come across that help us live an abundantly frugal life! I’m a freelance book, magazine, and content editor/writer/author (if you’re curious, here’s my online portfolio!) and I live in a modest ranch home in a lovely neighborhood, and we have two cars and one boat. We lead a simple life-–I cook from scratch much of the time. I coupon. I work from home. When the kids were younger, I had my fair share of playdates involving children who came over, told us how small our home was, and then told my kids they had more toys. I have friends and family who live in luxury homes with beautiful gourmet kitchens that I covet, and I know families with flat screen televisions in every room of the house. (We are still waiting for our old televisions to die before buying flat screens! Crossing my fingers that maybe in 2013 we can get at least one–on sale, of course!)
Living in Fairfield, CT, in Fairfield County, one of the most expensive and affluent counties in the United States, means my family and I are surrounded by those who may believe that success is defined by having the most square footage, the most luxurious cars, and the latest “stuff.”
On this blog, I share and discuss important ideas about how to live graciously, and frugally through anecdotes, frustrations, and ideas about my family’s quest for frugal living in Fairfield and beyond.
Thanks so much for reading Two Frugal Fairfielders! Enjoy!
By the way, you can reach me privately at: twofrugalfairfielders@gmail.com
Follow TFF on Facebook and Twitter!
~Marilyn, TFF
8 Comments on “About TFF”
Comment Rules: This is a personal blog with individual views of the author, with the common theme of living frugally. Even if you disagree with a post, please keep all comments respectful, and please join in on the conversation! Thanks! TFF
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Having grown up just outside of Washington DC, where everything is defined by positions of power and income, I hear you!
My husband and I have worked very hard to give our kids a sense of character and not to value people by material goods. We have made many sacrifices to keep one parent at home most of the time, and live with less “stuff”. It is hard but certainly doable, and makes for much nicer, kinder, more insightful children! You are not alone and your blog is much appreciated!
Thank you!!! Please keep reading and share your wisdom and tips with our other readers :–) ~Marilyn, TFF
Thank you so much for your appreciative and supportive words. I feel reassured in my hope to raise nicer, kinder and more insightful children this way. Your reaching out makes a difference! ~Aimee, TFF
How nice to have found this blog! I live in Massachusetts and it’s always heartening to find fellow New Englanders who are frugal and green. FWIW, I have only met one person who had flash kitchen (with the Viking stove, no less) who actually made very good use out of it. Le sigh.
Thanks, Pamela! We’re glad you found this blog, too! I can’t wait to to dip into your blog, too! ~Marilyn, TFF
Hi Pamela, Looking at a few of your blog posts, it seems like we have a lot in common! I like how you say, “Amy Dacyczyn shows the difference between being frugal and being a rude mooch.” Well put! The book, The Backyard Homestead is an inspiration to me. This is our 3rd year having a home garden and I’d love to someday grow enough to sustain our family. Every bit helps though, as you know, and you get a lot out of the process of gardening, more than just the veggies. Cheers to being frugally sustainable! ~Aimee, TFF
On Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 9:15 AM, Two Frugal Fairfielders WordPress wrote:
> Thanks, Pamela! We’re glad you found this blog, too! > I can’t wait to to dip into your blog, too! > ~Marilyn, TFF >
You GO girls!! I’m not even close to CT but I’m all about being frugal so I’ll be looking for more of your budget-friendly recipes.
You’re wonderful! Thanks for your encouragement! (PS: Aimee is an amazing cook, so I look forward to doing more experimenting with her, too.)