Dear Reader, here's a message from Froogs to you.

Yes you. You read and log on to see how I'm getting on, the money I've saved, how I eke out every little bit. Today, I am talking straight to you. You see, you're the one who is standing on the edge and you dare not go any further. Maybe, it's because people will think you are 'no fun any more' or maybe you think that people like me should 'get a life'. For what ever reason, you have not trodden the frugal footpath yet. You're still consuming and you have plenty of excuses to do so. Let's think about those reasons: you have to be smart for work, you've already booked the holiday and you will lose the deposit if you don't go, you've worked hard and it's your money and you'll do what you like with it, you're in a mess but you've looked into debt management, you're in a mess and debt management is tough so you're considering bankruptcy.......and I could go on.

I'm still talking to you and I hope you're still with me. Take a look at Froogs in the photo above. Faded old wellies, charity shop fleecy top, £1.99 Primarni top, and Ebay second hand jeans, home dyed hair and the only evidence of a day out, is a walk on the moors. Well, you know what............you want to live my life but don't dare; well I am daring you. Come with me, walk the frugal line. Cut up every credit card because you are never going to borrow money ever again. Write a budget, and this time, stick to it. Go around the house right now and turn off every light, of every room where no one is in it. Get online and apply for a water meter. Go to any of the comparison sites and check that you are paying the least for your utilities and say to yourself that if you don't need it you can't buy it and if you can't afford it, even if you need it, you still can't buy it.

Now look back at the face in the photo above and this time, don't see meanness, don't see a woman who needs to 'get a life' but take a close look. That is the look of peace and contentment. It comes from living a simpler greener life. A life which is about being and not consuming. If you've been reading, just looking at another life that you would really like to try but don't dare, well gather up your fortitude because my life is tough but deeply satisfying and this time, take the first step and come with me.