Brisbane couple saves $2m living frugally

A Brisbane family has saved millions living frugally, including dumpster diving. An unconventional approach to living – which includes dumpster diving for food – has saved a Brisbane family almost $2m over the past two decades. Jon and Emelie Watson’s frugality has also enabled them to donate up to $50,000 a year to charity – and they see no reason why others cannot adopt a similar lifestyle to afford a home or extra repayments on a mortgage. “I feel like we (society) are so conditioned to spend and buy lots of things that we really don’t need,’’ said Mr Watson, an engineer. “Accumulated wealth can happen by itself, if you don’t spend. “I’ve worked out that through our choices, we’ve saved almost $2m.’’ Brisbane couple Jon and Emelie Watson say their unconventional lifestyle could help others. Picture: Supplied. The couple, aged in their 40s, with two children, aged 10 and 14 years, said their life choices were governed by the principles of helping others, doing as little harm as possible to the planet and not spending more than was necessary. Controversially, the family recently opted to source all their meat, dairy and bakery, as well as other food items, from supermarket waste b...