Stuff Mennonites Like

So there are a few blogs out there these days with similar names; Stuff White People Like, Stuff Christians Like... I thought there needed to be a Stuff Mennonites Like. Here's my first attempt.

Deals, Bargains, Penny Pinching, Coupon Clipping, Saving Money, and... Being cheap

Ask anyone what comes to mind when they hear the word Mennonite, and those are likely to be some of the first few items. We mennonites used to be ridiculed for these characteristis, but with the world economy going where it is, I feel like people are starting to appreciate this about us more and more.

They watch us as we go through the grocery store on our carefully planned out route, caluclator in hand (the one that I keep in my purse), hoping to pick up some saving tips.

They observe as we scoure the newspapers and flyers, clipping out every single coupon. Even though we don't need a new mattress (we sleep on beds of straw), maybe someone out there has a coupon for 40% off a Dirt Devil vacuum (The straw leaves shrapnel all over, and I have allergies). We could trade. It's like a giant game of Go-Fish. I don't usually shop at Superstore, but this week Grapes are on sale. I don't see Safeway offering a wicked deal on avocados...

When a group of friends go out to dinner, the mennonite couple gets top priority in restaraunt choice; they'll be sure to pick the cheapest one with the best food (Mennonites are also quite fond of food).

Maybe people are even becoming jealous of our scrimping ways. They're not doing so hot; they'll start trying to subtly invite themselves over to a mennonite house for dinner, knowing there will be no shortage of farmer sausage, perogies, or saurkraut. And there will at the very least be some two day old Butterhorns for dessert. Everyone knows mennonite food will keep a non-mennonite going for two days without another meal.

It's true. When it comes to saving money and buying only the bare essentials, Mennonites take the gold medal. (We would melt it down, add a bit of water to stretch it, and then form it into Loonies that look just like the real thing. Why pay for something you can make yourself?)