Many of you are working hard at frugality because you have to. I’m no exception. I’m tightening the belt more than ever. My readers talk about how they sometimes wish there were a “frugal fairy” who granted wishes. She could wave her magic wand and let them choose one area where they didn’t have to be frugal. I want to share some of their wishes with you, so you know you’re not alone. While luxuries are always the first thing to be cut, it’s interesting to note that the majority of the wishes aren’t terribly fancy. There are tons of people feeling the pressure from the economic downturn. With hard work, humor and hope, you’ll get through it.
DRIVING: Many miss going for a drive without thinking about the high cost of gas. People are limiting leisure drives, and most are combining errands to save money. Many retirees had hopes of traveling but are finding themselves staying home much more often. Some readers have long commutes that are killing their budgets. Some are rethinking trips to garage sales because of the cost to drive to them. Several readers are paying more for gas than they are for food.
FOOD: This is one area almost everyone wishes they could splurge on. Dining out has become almost nonexistent, and people are finding it increasingly difficult to keep a low grocery budget. They’re pulling out their frugal recipes, stocking up during sales, planning their vegetable gardens and streamlining their meal plans. Many wish they didn’t have to look at prices, make hard choices and calculate the best buys. Some are tired of trying to make something out of nothing, too. Gourmet recipes have become wishful thinking, and they want more recipes with cheaper ingredients so they can stretch their meals. Some wish they didn’t have to pack a lunch every single day or feel guilty about not wanting to cook sometimes. They simply want to stop wincing at their receipts and not have to justify each purchase. They’d like to invite guests over more often, too.
HEAT: Sad as this is, many people wish the magic fairy could make utilities cost less. They’re tired of being cold and always bundling up—or sweating during the warmer months. When the choice is between food, gas and heat, the thermostat is being turned way down.
ENTERTAINMENT: People are cutting out trips to the movies as well as extras like vacations, concerts and theater. Many are relying on the Internet, movie rentals and library books for home entertainment. Some folks are setting their main hobbies aside for cheaper alternatives and wish they could afford craft supplies.
CLOTHING: Money simply isn’t being spent on clothing. Most of my readers are making do with what they have or buying clothing secondhand or on sale. Some feel guilty for not providing new brand-name clothing for their kids.
REPAIRS: Home repairs are being put off, which will result in higher costs later. Some people wish they could afford a new roof or to replace appliances. Instead of replacing them, many are going without. Microwaves, dishwashers and dryers top the list.
GIVING: People want to give more, but don’t have enough for themselves. People are giving more homemade gifts. Some readers simply wish they had more time to give to their own family.
译文:
梦寐以求 节俭仙女
你们中有许多人正在努力过得勤俭节约，因为你们不得不这样。我也同样如此。我现在比以前任何时候把裤腰带都勒得紧。我的读者们谈到他们有时候会想要有一个“节俭仙女”，能够让他们的愿望得以实现。希望这个仙女能够挥一挥她有魔力的手，让他们选择一个他们不必节俭的方面。我想与你们分享一些他们的愿望，这样你就会体会到，还有人是和你一样的。虽然奢侈品总是在人们需要节俭是第一个被画上叉的东西，但是，有趣的是，我注意到，大多数的愿望都并不那么的奢侈。无数人感受到了经济衰退所带来的压力。但是，如果你努力工作，保持幽默，并怀揣希望，你将会渡过这一切。
驾车方面：许多人都怀念曾经那开车不用担心高额油价的过去。人们开始限制在闲暇时候开车，而且大多数人把存钱当成了他们的一项任务。许多退休的人都希望去旅行，但是，他们待在家里的时间却比以前更多。一些读者每天有很长一段的上下班路程，这让他们的预算功亏一篑。一些人正在由于上涨的价格而重新考虑去逛逛别人家门前的旧货出售摊。有一些读者在汽油上花的钱比他们在食物上花的钱还要多。
食物方面：这几乎是一个任何人都想要能够随意挥霍金钱的方面。去外面吃饭几乎已经不复存在。人们也发现要把花在食品上的钱控制在很少已经越来越难了。他们正使出浑身解数拿出他们的节俭秘诀，在打折期间买很多堆放在家里，计划着他们自己的蔬菜园，并且做出更加合理的每餐计划。许多人希望他们能够不用考虑价格也不用艰难地选择、计算出最合算的东西。巧妇难为无米之炊，很多人也开始对这种状态厌烦。美事秘方成了人们想要的东西，他们想要有更多的由便宜的食材组成的食谱，这样，他们就能够使他们每餐有更多的东西。一些人希望他们不用再每天把午餐打包，或者为他们不想做饭而感到内疚。他们只是希望不要再为了他们的食谱而皱眉，不用再每次反复斟酌他们买的东西。他们也希望能够更多地请客人们到家里去。
温度方面：令人沮丧的是，许多人希望魔法仙女能够让公共事业费便宜一些。他们不愿在天气冷的时候总是感到很寒冷，也不愿在天热的时候裹得严严实实的，不断冒汗。当让人们在食物、汽油和温度调节中选一项，温度控制是排在最后的。
娱乐方面：人们正在减少他们外出去看电影，去度假，去音乐厅和剧院的次数。许多人依靠着互联网、影碟出租和图书馆的书籍在家里进行“娱乐活动”。一些人把他们的爱好搁在一边，退而求其次，选择一些便宜的东西，他们希望他们能够承担的起工艺品的价格。
衣服方面：钱可没有被花在衣服上。大多数的我的读者们都凑合着穿他们有的衣服，卖二手衣服或者在打折的时候买衣服。一些人甚至为不能给他们的孩子买新的知名品牌的衣服而感到内疚。
维修方面：人们开始停止家庭内的维修，因为这将在之后使人们花费更多。一些人希望他们能够承担的起一个新的屋顶或者有钱更换一些电器。而与其替换这些电器，许多人宁愿开始不用这些东西。微波炉、洗碗机和烘干机都排在人们开始不用的东西的最前面。
给与方面：人们想要给别人更多，但是自己还都没吃饱喝足。所以，越来越多的人送别人自己在家做的礼物。另有一些读者仅仅希望能够给他们的家庭更多的时间。