The Nixon Years and the Energy Crisis Prepared Me – Frugal Life Notes
When you are trying to get your finances on track, being frugal means living efficiently – using the money you have BETTER. I grew up during the Nixon years, the big energy crunch of 1973 lead to long gas lines and the nation as a whole was asked to be more responsible with our resources. Although muscle cars and V-8 sedans continued to roll off the production lines in Detroit, here in Maine… my dad turned down the heat and guarded the light switches. We got used to putting on an extra sweater and wrapping up in an afgan as we watched TV on the couch because the thermostat was set at 65 degrees even during the winter months in Northern Maine.
“Who left this light on?” was heard every time we were irresponsible enough to leave a room lit when we scaddled to another part of the house. All in all – it was a low energy home compared to today. We had one television. No VCR. No computer. No playstations or game cube. No DVD player or even sophisticated sound systems with speakers and subwoofers. In my parent’s house in the 1970’s ~ it was a basic: stove, fridge, can opener, television, lights and clock/radio plus a large stereo console. We became more “high tech” after 1975 with a blow dryer and curling iron plus I bought my own record player. Compare to today – the electricity we used then is a fraction of what our home has used over the last few years.
Last month, when our family was “restructured” more than half the electrical stuff in this home was moved out. No more surround sound or receivers. No more subwoofer. Minus two computers. No more gaming equipment. This month’s electrical bill was 35 dollars less than it has been so it’s a break for me. I’m thinking February’s bill will be even better because no the ceiling fans are left off and televisions aren’t left on all night. Yes, it was plural!
I’ve learned over the years to shut down the electricity leaks and keep the heat down when possible. My girls KNOW this but they still say…”Man it’s cold in here!” and they aren’t surprised when I tell them to put a sweater on. 
They under dress as it is!
Here’s to living a frugal life and getting out from under the Debt Crunch. Tammy
Tags: 1970’s, debt, debt-crunch, electricity, energy crisis, frugal, light bill, maine, money, nixon
