photo by boboroshi

Frugality isn’t cheap living or voluntary poverty. Whether you’re frugal by choice or necessity, you make the most of your hard-earned money and waste less, too. When you strip away the excess in your life, you discover a sense of truth and authenticity. Your identity is less involved. It can be an eye-opener to realize how much emotion is wrapped up in the items you buy and own. There’s freedom and inner peace from living within or even below your means, and plenty of other reasons to absolutely love frugal living.
Here are a few.

KNOWLEDGE: Learn at your own pace. Find one frugal strategy to focus on that you can apply to your life. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Some people find an interest in dehydrating food, upcycling or refashioning what someone else tosses, making homemade cleaners or growing sprouts. Once this one area becomes a habit and you’ve mastered it, add another frugal strategy. Plus, some frugal tips work only in certain situations. When your situation changes, you wind up learning more or using tips you might have merely glossed over before. One reader, Anne Marie in Texas, shares: “Sometimes, I truly learn something new. Sometimes, I simply hear or read something again, but this time it resonates with me. Maybe it’s something I’m finally ready to try, or I actually understand it better this time. It varies.” A part of frugality is doing things that many people have simply stopped doing through the generations or never did or tried at all. It’s empowering to know how to do many things yourself. It’s rewarding to share and teach others, too. It’s even better when they ask you how to do something.

GOAL SETTING: Wishes and dreams become realistic goals. Another reader, Bevv in Texas, shares: “My favorite thing about frugal living is having money in the bank, being able to pay bills as soon as they come in the door and not after they are due, and having a fully stocked pantry. Not at all like my nonfrugal days.” You create a road map and work toward your goals in manageable steps. You’re accountable for your financial actions and pinpoint money leaks. You know the actual numbers in your budget and have a plan instead of sitting like a frog in boiling water.

TRUE COST AND VALUE: You have a greater respect for your money and time and appreciate everything more. It takes less to make you happy when you’re creative and open to possibilities. You not only prioritize what is most important to you but you also discover the true value of things. And because you’re more organized, plan ahead, and are satisfied with less, you have more time to do things you enjoy, too. Think of it as proactive living instead of reactive.

HOPE, RESILIENCE AND CHANGE: While others around you might be struggling or even if you are, you have the tools and skills to ride out tough times. Frugality gives you added confidence, too. You utilize these skills not only during the recession but as a complete lifestyle change. It’s making consistent decisions. You know that a setback is just that. You aren’t devastated by it. It’s nothing more than a temporary situation. You know your efforts will continue to make a difference. People are frugal for various reasons, but there’s a light-bulb moment when you realize there are options. There are many things you have complete control over, too. Good things happen when you’re open to them happening. And the best part isn’t when it actually happens. It’s right before. It’s the moment you take action and know that things are going to change for the better. The key is knowing what it is that you want. And frugality helps you sort that out.

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