When we moved into our house a year ago, we got to know our neighbors within a few weeks. I had them pegged as a frugal couple soon after we moved in and I was right. What gave them away first was that they had a huge vegetable garden in their back yard. I also noticed piles of wood behind their house. (For many years they only heated with their wood burning stove.)
Over the last year we have established a very good relationship with this couple. They are our age so we do have a lot in common. They are also just nice, kind people. During the horrible winter of 2009-2010, Bob used his tractor/plow to plow our driveway out after each of the 3 blizzards. In return, I try to make sure they never have to buy eggs.
Last summer when their garden went crazy I would come home from work to find a bag of produce on our porch. Or I would meet Mrs. Bob and she would say, “Just go up in back and help yourself. We can’t even freeze it all.” This year, when I planted my small garden, I made sure to plant different vegetables than the Bobs did so I can offer them some of our bounty.
I love this type of comfortable, helpful and kind relationship with our wonderful neighbors. I have always dreamed of establishing a reciprocal relationship with neighbors. We share some work together and we share tools, and produce. This is a great frugal arrangement but I don’t think it is easy to come by either. Most people, if you offered to give them some of your garden’s bounty, wouldn’t think to reciprocate. People that are frugal, but not stingy, would normally think to reciprocate.
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