Creative Deprivation

**lukesmama** · 03-02-2009, 10:34 AM

(All credit for this concept to Amy D., who in the Complete Tightwad Gazette printed a great article on Creative Deprivation, pages 380-382.)

A lot of "black belt tightwads" already know this, I think, even if they don't know they know it, and I've had the revelation that it's likely a major factor in frugal success.

Creative deprivation, as Amy refers to it, is the concept of "less is more", basically. Imagine pictures on the wall, all shoved up against each other, no mats or frames or blank space around them. Now wipe the wall clean, take a few of your favorite prints, mat them and hang on an uncluttered wall. How much more we can appreciate them now!

The same goes for our purchases, our internet time, junk food, special treats, and so forth.

Children, if given too many toys, video games, and tv time, could grow up needing constant stimulation, because they've come to expect and even demand it. However, place a limit on these things, and they will appreciate them so much more. (Amy is quick to point out that this concept does not apply to love and nutrition, or creative playthings, like crayons and legos.)

This concept can really be used to space out our purchases, too. I bought some new clothes last month, and wanted to buy something else last week. However, I decided that I'd rather let last month's purchases "stand out" and keep their newness for a while, rather than being tossed aside as more comes in.

I'm thinking of that space between purchases and treats as "white space", and realizing it's a good thing, not deprivation at all.

I know most of you probably already have this concept ingrained in your minds. I thought it would be an interesting topic for discussion, though, and maybe might help some of us "white-belt tightwads" get brave enough to begin looking for ways to create that white space for us and our loved ones.

**onencgirl** · 03-02-2009, 10:49 AM

I love that entire concept. It seems so simple to achieve but we have become so spoiled that it will take some time for all to realize this.

**lukesmama** · 03-02-2009, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by onencgirl

I love that entire concept. It seems so simple to achieve but we have become so spoiled that it will take some time for all to realize this.

Myself included! I'm looking forward to building in that space around treats in my life. I can't stop thinking about all the different things this can apply to:
-homemade banana bread tastes much better when we haven't all been snacking on storebought cookies all day
-the first piece of chocolate tastes the best, the rest of the bag is really kind of a waste (LOL - but I seem to always eat it anyway)
-if you drink coke all day long, it doesn't taste as good as it would if you were to have one can each day (or less often)
-the kids appreciate their meals when they are not allowed to snack all day (and then wind up not hungry for lunch or supper)
-a trip to a restaurant with your husband on your anniversary is a huge treat if you don't go out every weekend anyway
-when we cut back on takeout pizza, we all started enjoying it a LOT more

Most of mine seem to revolve around food! I'm sure there's lots of other ways to apply this, though.

(One thing it does NOT apply to - time with my children! Love that in great quantity!!)

**Kaos Kitty** · 03-02-2009, 11:04 AM

I agree. I remember watching one of those shows where family's lived like pioneers for a year. The family in real life were millionaires. The eight year old boy loved it. For his birthday all he got was a wooden truck. He said that he valued it because it was all he had. It was more meaningful, and he took care of it. When they went back to their "real" lives in a mansion, the eight year old boy was depressed. He had every toy and video game imaginable, but was bored and lonely. He wished they would go back to living like pioneers.

This story really touched me because it showed that how much stuff we have doesn't make us happy. In fact too much stuff can do the opposite. I too am really trying to pare down my possessions. I look at each item, and if I don't really love it or need it - it goes on Freecycle. More stuff is just more to clean. I don't want to feel owned by my stuff!

**peanut** · 03-02-2009, 11:36 AM

This is so true. I came to this realization a few years ago and have been massively de-cluttering ever since. I came to view myself not so much as someone in need, but as a re-distributor of wealth (goods/time/money). DH doesn't agree necessarily. So I run everything past him first. But, short of the money, he's basically okay with what I want to 're-distribute'.

The thing is, with fewer things in the house we can breathe easier. Life isn't so complicated.

Even so, we have a long way to go. It seems as soon as I get rid of something, something comes to fill it's place. I have no shortage of people 're-distributing' things to me!

I've taken to letting the girls go through things before I donate them or toss them. It's interesting what they pick to keep. Ninety percent just keeps on going out the door. Very little of it is meaningful to them.

**TheMartianChick** · 03-03-2009, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by lukesmama

(All credit for this concept to Amy D., who in the Complete Tightwad Gazette printed a great article on Creative Deprivation, pages 380-382.)

A lot of "black belt tightwads" already know this, I think, even if they don't know they know it, and I've had the revelation that it's likely a major factor in frugal success.

Creative deprivation, as Amy refers to it, is the concept of "less is more", basically. Imagine pictures on the wall, all shoved up against each other, no mats or frames or blank space around them. Now wipe the wall clean, take a few of your favorite prints, mat them and hang on an uncluttered wall. How much more we can appreciate them now!

The same goes for our purchases, our internet time, junk food, special treats, and so forth.

Children, if given too many toys, video games, and tv time, could grow up needing constant stimulation, because they've come to expect and even demand it. However, place a limit on these things, and they will appreciate them so much more. (Amy is quick to point out that this concept does not apply to love and nutrition, or creative playthings, like crayons and legos.)

This concept can really be used to space out our purchases, too. I bought some new clothes last month, and wanted to buy something else last week. However, I decided that I'd rather let last month's purchases "stand out" and keep their newness for a while, rather than being tossed aside as more comes in.

I'm thinking of that space between purchases and treats as "white space", and realizing it's a good thing, not deprivation at all.

I know most of you probably already have this concept ingrained in your minds. I thought it would be an interesting topic for discussion, though, and maybe might help some of us "white-belt tightwads" get brave enough to begin looking for ways to create that white space for us and our loved ones.

I am also trying to pare things down and re-circulate goods out of my house and into homes that can use them. Thanks for posting this! I hadn't thought about "all that stuff" in quite that way before. Creative deprivation... I think that phrase will become my new mantra.

**Momto2Boyz** · 03-03-2009, 12:58 PM

We started doing this a few years ago. Our kids now ONLY get toys on their birthday and Christmas. They don't get extras when they find them, even if it is at garage sales or the thrift store. When their birthday comes, they are appreciative of every toy they recieve.

DH and I do this too, in every day life. We honestly don't buy alot of things. The longer you go with minimal things, the more you appreciate what you have. Dh and I live pretty simply, and it's funny...we are very thankful to have certain things that most people take for granted in every day life. We no longer "wish" for expensive things, we find ourselves wishing for practical things. And when we finally decide to make a purchase, we get excited about it, becuase it's something we've waited for, saved for, etc. In our house, there is very little instant gratification, and I really think it makes you appreciate the little things way more!

**IntlMom** · 03-03-2009, 02:08 PM

I loved this concept when I first came across it from AmyD years ago.... I practice it more than my kids wish I did.... lol!! They can never figure out why their cousins or friends get stuff just cause they said they wanted it!! Even more than that - when we go to a home with tons of stuff - they notice it, and notice that those kids don;t even know about most of the stuff that they have.......

**Thevail** · 03-03-2009, 06:03 PM

True..it takes a lot of effort to keep our stuff from becoming "white noise" in our lives.

**redeme** · 03-03-2009, 06:49 PM

Your right, stuff can be white noise in our lives, sucking up time and energy. I haven't thought of it like that, it's an interesting perspective.

**mauimagic** · 03-03-2009, 07:10 PM

I'm so glad you started this thread - it puts into words what I have been feeling. I am blessed to work with four terrific women, all of whom are more challenged financially at this time than we are (and trust me, we are challenged enough). As I have been going through our home to sort out things we truly don't want/love - I have been able to share almost everything with my coworkers. They know that they are helping me to make a home for something they want/need. Funny how I have not missed anything I have given away.

Hadn't thought of this in years, but when I was moving to Maui 32 years ago, I had antiques from my family that I didn't want to bring with me, but I also felt strange selling them. Instead I gave them to the friends who had admired them the most. Can't tell you how comfortable I was doing that - definitely the right thing to do.

Also, now, I really don't feel the need to go out and buy things. I think that part of this is that I am feeling more content with myself - priorities are definitely changing.

wow - am very wordy.
keep up the great work!!

**lukesmama** · 03-03-2009, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by mauimagic

Hadn't thought of this in years, but when I was moving to Maui 32 years ago, I had antiques from my family that I didn't want to bring with me, but I also felt strange selling them. Instead I gave them to the friends who had admired them the most. Can't tell you how comfortable I was doing that - definitely the right thing to do.

Also, now, I really don't feel the need to go out and buy things. I think that part of this is that I am feeling more content with myself - priorities are definitely changing.

I love that feeling of "matching up" our castoffs with friends/family members who might be able to use them. It feels great. You definitely did the right thing!

You don't have to be rich to share with others, and as someone else called it, it helps reduce that white noise in our lives. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I feel a decluttering spell coming on....

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 03-04-2009, 02:17 PM

I think it's a wonderful concept...one I enjoy!

Thanks for 'refreshing' our TWG memories!

**Thevail** · 03-04-2009, 02:40 PM

I think that feeling of peace that you get from having less stuff is amazing. I know that my environment for a while had become so "busy" and "distracting" that it was causing me stress.

But it's such a subtle process that it's very hard to figure out what's causing it. It tends to get blamed on busy lives, busy families, work, financial issues etc.

There is a reason "zen" decor is minimalist.

**gardening momma** · 03-04-2009, 07:01 PM

I definitely agree, especially regarding kids' toys. We seem to have so much that they're just in the way. Some have been gifts, some are frugal purchases that we have made. We have way too many stuffed animals. The problem is figuring out which ones should go. Some are older and have sentimental value (to dh, not me!). Some are new (or were when they were given to us), but are not necessarily played with much. But when I tried sorting through them to decide which to sell and which to keep, dh and I disagreed on what should go. And don't bother asking the kids which ones can go--they all must stay!