Frugality = happiness?

**Russ** · 08-09-2010, 09:37 AM

I ran across this article and found it interesting.

NYT: Happiness is side effect of new frugality - Business - The New York Times - msnbc.com

Has anyone here downsized to the extreme as the first couple in the article?

Does anyone find yourself more happy having less material things?

**onencgirl** · 08-09-2010, 09:58 AM

Great article.... I firmly believe that less is more.

**nuisance26** · 08-09-2010, 10:28 AM

~We live in 800 square feet so we obviously don't have too much to begin with but I'm always downsizing. I also would rather spend my money on experiences rather than stuff.
Love the idea of just 100 personal items though. Wonder how many I have?
I can't say I 100% agree with frugality= happiness. Lots of big spenders are happy. I think people are happy when they are living according to their values. As it is, frugality aligns with my values so I'm happy.~

**Ceashels** · 08-09-2010, 11:09 AM

thank you for sharing, It was a very worthwhile read.

**peanut** · 08-09-2010, 11:17 AM

We do not live simply. We live in Canada where it is winter 8 months of the year...and a very cold winter. We are two people with a 2200 sq. ft., 2 storey home from the turn of the century...that's the early 1900s.

Our response to being in this big old mortgage free home is to share it with others. Lately it's been ESL students from other countries.

My home is filled with stuff. As fast as I give it away, people give it to me! It is mostly craft stuff. So I make it up and give it away, or sell it, or pass it on unused. Still...I've inherited so much. But I've given away a lot of it as well. It just seems neverending!

I had embarked on a downsizing/decluttering phase about five years ago...seriously when Mom died 3 years ago and I inherited her stuff. But despite giving away truckloads of stuff, selling stuff, etc. I still have too much stuff around! I tell myself I am waiting for the kids to settle down before passing on family heirlooms...maybe I'm dreaming?

Having said all the above, I can honestly say that giving things away makes me feel very happy. I love to see things go to a new home where they will be used and appreciated.

I also know that I think more clearly and can concentrate better with less clutter.

I also much prefer to spend my money on experiences.

I signed up for the RSS feed for Ms. Stroebel's blog...it looks interesting. But now I have to sort through the clutter of RSS feeds I'm subscribed to to get it down to less than an hour of week of reading...my personal goal...

**KeithBC** · 08-09-2010, 11:30 AM

There is, indirectly, a lot of truth to that.

Happiness is not wanting.

The myth of wealth is that, if we have enough, we won't want more so we will be happy. Except that there is nothing to stop us from still wanting more.

Once frugality becomes a habit, we stop wanting more, and that is happiness.

**nuisance26** · 08-09-2010, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by KeithBC

There is, indirectly, a lot of truth to that.

Happiness is not wanting.

The myth of wealth is that, if we have enough, we won't want more so we will be happy. Except that there is nothing to stop us from still wanting more.

Once frugality becomes a habit, we stop wanting more, and that is happiness.

~I define "not wanting" as "contentment". I don't think contentment and happiness are the same thing. I've had plenty of times in my life where I was content but not at all happy. It takes an attitude adjustment to be content in less than ideal circumstances but I can't say I've ever been happy by just being content.
I think happiness comes from fully living as you believe. We can try to live like that at all times but since we live in a world that frequently throws us things we can't control we have to settle sometimes for contentment.~

**Libby** · 08-09-2010, 12:20 PM

For what its worth - I'm happier that I stopped buying things and having more things in my home and I'm slowly purging through what I do have. I too prefer to spend my money on experiences vs things. Memories don't take up as much space!

I'm quite happy with what I have. Anything that I want - really want - I do go out and buy but I'm finding that its not really 'things'.

I don't find myself deprived or wishing I had more - wanting more experiences is my current battle.

**PinkTulip** · 08-09-2010, 01:11 PM

I love the article. I don't know how I would downsize to a 400 sq feet with children, but I do not think stuff = happiness.

**DJ1972** · 08-09-2010, 05:47 PM

Great minds think alike Russ! I posted about the same article, lol. Ooops! I follow a couple of minimalist blogs and love what they have to say. We don't have alot of "stuff" as I don't do clutter at all, but we would not be considered minimalists. It sure makes cleaning easier when there's not alot of crap sitting around to dust! lol

**ncarr** · 08-09-2010, 06:00 PM

i enjoyed the article. Reminds me of a favorite quote of mine:

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants". - Epictetus

**pollypurebred39** · 08-09-2010, 06:42 PM

"Ms. Strobel’s income of about $24,000 a year covers their bills." It never does say how much Mr. Strobel makes a year. I suppose if you bills are covered, basic needs are met, and your able to vacation life might seem pretty dang good.

I wonder how their thought processes would change if kids entered the picture. Would they still be as happy if they could not afford braces, tutors, doctor's bills?

I think it all is relative. I'm working on contentment in all circumstances. While it's true money does not buy happiness, it does remove the headaches that having real need and no money creates. Having no money, or not enough to meet basic needs can make one very unhappy. I'm not seeking happiness, just contentment.

**JanieD** · 08-10-2010, 03:49 PM

I thought the article got a little long winded trying to make a point that can't be made.
What makes one person happy, makes another miserable. There isn't one answer that fits everyone. I wouldn't want to downsize to 100 items, but I'm sure it works for some. I liked the point of planning for a purchase brings more "happiness". Not sure research can prove something as abstract as happiness though.

**peanut** · 08-10-2010, 10:20 PM

Having had time to think about this... I think they may indeed be confusing happiness with contentment. And frugality with simplicity. I know some very frugal people who live in very crowded houses. They get everything for free, but you can't move in their homes!

They may or may not have lots of money set aside due to their frugality. They are very content. Some are even happy that way. They just can't bring themselves to get rid of things!

I think that we have levels or set points we go through with contentment and happiness. We reach one level and stay there awhile. Then another level beckons - we think we can do better or whatever.

We used to be content with $100 in our chequing account. Over the years our set point has raised. We want $200 in there, $10,000 in our EF, and $15,000 in a Sinking Fund. Mostly due to our age and the fact we live in an old home with an old car - both prone to breaking down or eventually going to break down.

But for me to be happy all I need is to feel fibre between my fingers...whether fabric, yarn or whatever. No that's my idea of happiness!