Do you find happiness in your frugal journey?

**PrairieRose** · 06-10-2006, 09:17 AM

I was thinking about life......lol. In years past I can remember thinking that money doesn't buy happiness but the lack of it, a serious lack of it can surely buy a lot of unhappiness. These days I find a lot of happiness in the journey itself, not just my frugal journey but my daily life. Are you allowing yourself to be happy as you work, walk, live everyday or are you more often feeling poor and deprived? It's all in the way we talk to ourselves.

**DorothyBeverly** · 06-10-2006, 11:29 AM

Ya know...I will admit, SOMETIMES I DO feel deprived....but it's usually very quickly that I realize how truly blessed I am. I have a home, clothing, food, a wonderful husband and family, and a good job. Some people don't even have half that. Then there are others who have ALOT (financially speaking), but really they have nothing in their lives that is emotionally fufilling, KWIM?? I am most very thankful for my relationships I have in my life.

**Valerie in WA** · 06-10-2006, 11:51 AM

I (mostly) don't feel poor and deprived. Oh sure, once in a while, the grass looks greener over at the Jones', but 98% of the time, I'm content.

A HUGE portion of my peace comes from being available to my children.

The other great portion is in creativity. Both in the garden and with a needle and thread. Both activities are frugal, but also bring me a great deal of satisfaction.

**autumnlynn** · 06-10-2006, 04:40 PM

I feel very content on this debt free journey. I am working the Dave Ramsey plan and living like no one else so later I will live like no one else.

If I stay strong, within five years I will be debt free; including my mortgage. I then can save a ton of money, give money away and "live like no one else". I am pretty early in my journey, but I have already met some great people to "travel this road with".

I have great kids, a wonderful support system (including all of you) and feel very blessed. This is truly a great experience.

**Cele** · 06-10-2006, 04:58 PM

I do find fulfillment in the journey. DH and I were just discussing this. We feel secure in our financial situation, and that allows us to enjoy other aspects of our lives.

I totally agree that the basic things (food, clothing, shelter) money can buy is important. Poverty may build character and give a person great stories to tell years later, but I don't see it as a positive thing, especially if children are involved.

bg · 06-10-2006, 07:36 PM

The first time I was poor, I resented being poor and being frugal out of necessity. But looking back, those were some of the best days of my life. Now that I've made the choice to be frugal, the fact that it is a choice has helped me not be resentful and angry. My wants have gone down so much, that I don't recognize the person I was 5 years ago.

Are you allowing yourself to be happy as you work, walk, live everyday or are you more often feeling poor and deprived? It's all in the way we talk to ourselves.

Yes. I can't believe how happy I become with every passing year. Everything is working out so wonderfully. I am also becoming a bit less stiff and anxious and becoming a bit more laid back with not so stringent requirements. I am also opening myself up to newer ways of thinking. Right now I can't think of anything I want in particular. But the things that I do want (like to travel alot), I know will be made possible in good time.

**CarolBee** · 06-10-2006, 08:39 PM

We had very little money starting out, our son had been ill and we had no health insurance. Thank goodness for Medical Assistance, they covered all but $300 - and we had a heck of a time paying that back! I was resentful of having to live like a pauper - but now I look back at those times, and see how it made us closer as a family. We are trying to downsize with our possessions, and have less clutter and worry. We take it day by day.

Carol

**AmyMCGS** · 06-11-2006, 08:12 AM

I'm happy being frugal 95% of the time.... once in a while I envy people who can go out and buy anything they want. Then, I stop and remember... due to our frugal habits, we could afford to build our beautiful home, we can afford for me to only work part-time, and our only debt now is our mortgage. We paid off our cars, student loans, and other bills ahead of schedule. So, as long as I keep reminding myself of how far we've come, I feel pretty good about things.

**AmyBoz** · 06-11-2006, 09:14 AM

I enjoy being frugal. I actually feel a sense of guilt when I spend more than I should on something, or buy something extravagent. I feel good when I'm saving money; as if by that very practice, I am taking better care of my family than I was before.

**EmilyD** · 06-11-2006, 12:18 PM

I feel like the only person here who is feeling negative

I have been married 24 years, have raised three kids and are 3 1/2 years into "empty nest". We declared bankruptsy 3 1/2 years ago (9/11 wiped out my new business and dh lost over half his income for over a year) and gave up the house we had for 12 years so we could start totally over (the mortgage and 2nd would have taken half our income). We contacted all our creditors and even with excellent credit and history, none wanted to work with us. We had no choice.

For the first 20 years it was a real struggle to pay all the bills, provide medical care for the family (half the time , no insurance) I fed 5 of us on $100.00 every 2 weeks, did without on everything so the kids could have clothes, toys etc.

Now, I feel like I have lost ground .. having to start all over and go back to the way it was before. I feel like I should be able to relax .. have a little fun and eat out when I want to.

*********** Pity party over **********

I will have to say, that since I came here, I have regained my optimism about being about to get somewhere in the battle. When I was doing all the things before (couponing, loss leaders, going to 5 stores to get sales stuff, etc) I was alone and felt it. Now I don't feel alone anymore. I can come here and see how you all are working it down, get new ideas that I had never thought of, and watch my totals go up/down while I watch everyone else's as well.

Thanks for being here.

**canadian gardener** · 06-12-2006, 03:45 PM

because frugality gives me the freedom to choose what to spend on.

**PrairieRose** · 06-12-2006, 09:31 PM

It's not always easy to be happy with our circumstances but really whatever they are, we decide how to cope with them. I'm so glad that you feel the commradarie here. I love that about this place EmilyD.

**Mom23boys** · 06-12-2006, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by AmyBoz

I enjoy being frugal. I actually feel a sense of guilt when I spend more than I should on something, or buy something extravagent. I feel good when I'm saving money; as if by that very practice, I am taking better care of my family than I was before.

I feel the same way, Amy.

**MirandaK** · 06-13-2006, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by PrairieRose

It's all in the way we talk to ourselves.

This is so true. I made a conscious decision to enjoy what I have and quit worrying about what I wish I had. Now when I look around are living room, I think to myself, this is a beautiful apartment. I have a wonderful husband and 3 of the best cats ever. What on earth do I have to complain about??? There are moments of weakness, of course, but overall it comes down to attitude! whenever I have a moment of weakness I just have to sign on here and I start feeling more upbeat.

Attitude and a good Support system!!!!!! These two things help me enjoy my frugal voyage.

**hollyhill** · 06-13-2006, 05:43 PM

Yup, Attitude is Everything!

It's easy fro me to be happy now.....but there were times....dark, dark times....where worry consumed me.

But on the whole I think I managed to be happy....