Aunt ethel is not stingy, she is simply frugal

At a stoplight, she turns the car off rather than waste fuel by idling. Environmentalists would be proud of Aunt Ethel’s electricity saving methods. The low wattage bulbs she uses are hard on her eyes, but they save electricity. The water at Aunt Ethel’s is always cold because she keeps the hot water off until she is ready to use it, and then it’s barely tepid. In the winter she saves electricity by burning wood instead of using her electric heater. If the world runs out of energy it won’t be because Aunt Ethel used it all.
Aunt Ethel likes to save her money more than anything else. She can save money on the most common household items. She uses old newspapers to clean her windows instead of using paper towels. When she cleans her windows she uses vinegar rather than the more expensive window cleaners. Her family secret, a concoction made with baking soda, is the only cleanser she keeps in her kitchen. Her money-saving ideas also reduce her food bill. Aunt Ethel can make the best chicken soup out of a leftover chicken. She will add a broth to this soup made from the parts of vegetables that most people would discard. For dessert, she makes bread pudding out of her stale bread. Because her wardrobe
[Name] Page 3
Essay 1
is so stylish you would never guess how few dollars she spends on clothes. She saves money by shopping at yard sales and thrift shops. She tries to shop for articles that match so her wardrobe has a wide variety while only purchasing a few items. If she finds an item with a little wear she mends it. Whether in the home, the kitchen, or the closet Aunt Ethel is always saving money.
Aunt Ethel may appear to be a cheapskate, but she is simply being practical with her time, her energy, and her money. At her golden age, she realizes the value of saving time by utilizing it wisely. She has also come to value the scarce resources of energy and money and has found creative ways to conserve both. When Aunt Ethel pinches a penny Lincoln does not cry out in pain.