Five Things That Have Changed Since 2001

When The Cheapskates Club began in 2001, the world looked very different.
We shopped differently, communicated differently and found money-saving information in ways that would seem almost slow and old-fashioned today.
Some changes have made life easier. Others have made it more expensive. And some have simply changed the way we think about shopping, budgeting and running our homes.
As we celebrate 25 years of The Cheapskates Club, here are five things that have changed dramatically since 2001.

1. Grocery Prices
Grocery prices have certainly changed since 2001.
Back then, my grocery budget was $200 a month for everything. That covered food, toiletries, cleaning supplies and all the other odds and ends a family needed from the supermarket. Oh, and the baby's medicines.
I shopped once a month. If we ran out of something, we went without until the next shopping day because there simply wasn’t money available to go back and buy more.
That may sound harsh, but it taught me some of the most valuable lessons I have ever learned.
I learned to cook from scratch using basic ingredients. I learned to meal plan. I learned to write a detailed shopping list and stick to it. I learned to substitute, stretch meals and use every last bit of food.
Today, $200 would not come close to covering the same monthly shop for most families.
Prices have risen, packets have become smaller and specials are not always as generous as they once were. This makes it even more important to know your prices, use a Price Book, plan meals and shop with purpose.
The numbers may have changed, but the basic rules of smart grocery shopping have not.

2. Online Shopping
Online shopping was barely part of everyday life in 2001.
Most of us went to the shops, walked the aisles and carried our purchases home, after paying for them with cash. We couldn’t sit on the couch, tap a few buttons and have groceries, clothes, gifts or household supplies delivered to the front door.
Now online shopping is so common that almost everyone buys something online, even if they do not buy their groceries that way.
Online shopping can be convenient, especially for people who are short on time, have limited transport or find visiting the shops difficult.
It can also make spending very easy.
There is no queue, no cash changing hands and often very little time to think before pressing the “buy now” button.
The convenience is wonderful, but it makes having a budget, a list and a cooling-off period more important than ever.
A bargain is still only a bargain if you need it, will use it and can afford it.

3. Household Technology
Household technology has changed beyond recognition.
In 2001, home internet was often dial-up, if you had it at all. You connected through the telephone line and hoped nobody needed to make a phone call while you were online.
Mobile phones were large, heavy and mostly used for making calls. There were no apps, no social media feeds and no tiny computers sitting in our pockets all day.
Our household appliances were simpler too.
A fridge was a fridge. You opened the door, put the food inside and adjusted the temperature manually if it needed changing.
Today, some fridges can tell you what is inside, remind you when food is running low and allow you to control the temperature through an app.
We can turn lights on and off from our phones, watch our electricity use in real time, program appliances and control heating or cooling without even being at home.
Technology can save time, improve comfort and even help reduce waste.
But it can also cost more to buy, repair and replace. Many modern appliances are complicated, and when one small electronic component fails, the whole appliance may stop working.
Sometimes simple really is better.

4. Utility Costs
Utility costs have changed enormously since 2001.
Electricity, gas, water and fuel now take a much larger bite out of many household budgets.
For some families, opening a utility bill has become a stressful experience.
We may have more energy-efficient appliances than we did in 2001, but we also have more appliances, more devices and more things running or charging throughout the day.
Computers, televisions, gaming consoles, phones, tablets, routers, air conditioners and smart appliances all use energy.
This means that being careful with utilities is no longer just about turning off a light when you leave a room.
It means understanding your bills, comparing plans, reducing unnecessary use, maintaining appliances and making thoughtful decisions about heating, cooling and hot water.
Every small saving helps, especially when it becomes a habit that continues working week after week.

5. The Way We Find and Share Money-Saving Information
Perhaps one of the biggest changes is the way we find and share money-saving information.
In 2001, money-saving tips were often passed from one person to another.
Mothers shared ideas at the school gate, playgroup or over a cup of tea. Families passed down recipes and household hints. Friends swapped tips about specials, cleaning, cooking and making do.
You could subscribe to a newsletter, then wait patiently for it to arrive in the letterbox.
There was something lovely about that slower way of sharing information.
Today, thanks to the internet, help is available almost instantly.
You can find recipes, budgeting ideas, pantry tips, tutorials, encouragement and support without leaving home.
And here in The Cheapskates Club, members can access years of practical information, ask questions, share experiences and learn from others who understand the importance of living well for less.
The way we share has changed, but the spirit behind it has not.
It is still people helping people.
It is still one person sharing an idea that may make someone else’s week a little easier.
It is still encouragement, support and the reminder that we are not alone.

Some Things Haven't Changed
The world has changed dramatically since 2001, but the foundations of Cheapskating are still the same.
Plan before you spend.
Use what you have.
Buy ingredients and give yourself options.
Learn practical skills.
Share what you know.
Support others.
And remember that small savings, repeated often, can make a very big difference.
Twenty-five years later, those lessons are just as useful as they were when The Cheapskates Club began.
Perhaps they are even more important now.

Join the Conversation
What change since 2001 has surprised you the most?
Do you think managing a household is easier today, or simply more complicated?
Share your memories, thoughts and favourite money-saving lessons in the comments below. I would love to hear how shopping, budgeting and running your home have changed over the past 25 years.