Simplicity vs frugality - does it mean the same?

[homesteadmamma]

The question was asked how to be frugal and have inner simplicity all at the same time. I think its a great question but first I think we need to look at what they both mean.

Frugality to me is watching what I spend in one area in order that I might be able to living simply in another area. To me it doesn't mean I can't do some things I like doing because I'm being frugal. I love quilting and will only purchase my material from a quilting store so I watch my pennies in other areas to do so. Thats what being frugal is all about to me. Its being content with what I do have though and not wanting more and more things.

Inner simplicity to me is taking each moment and savoring it. Living in the absolute present. Am I there yet? No but I'm working on it. It means "taking time to smell the roses", enjoying life to its fullest, even with its ups and downs. It means long walks, quiet sitting and letting go of things. It means clearing my thoughts of all the garbage that runs amuck there, worries, thoughts about tomorrow that I can't control anyways.

What are your thoughts on this?

[heaven]

i am still thinking on this. frugality to me means doing and making things instead of buying costantly.
Simplicity to me is wanting to get back to the simple things and being happy without the extras, who has that under their posts saying its wanting what you have and not having what you want. than i think sums it up for me.

[captclearance]

I guess I am not into simplicity, I feel my life is simple and relatively uncomplicated but I am a material girl in some respects..... I am an antique collector and like the way the house looks filled with old things... I am a frugal collector.... I am not hung up on my things and would part with them if I needed to and not miss them.... I am frugal, but that is my nature, I save on most things so I can afford other things I would like to have or do..I love to share things and give gifts so being frugal lets me do that....So I guess I would say I have pleasurable, uncomplicated life to me equals simplicity and I am a hardcore cheapskate that likes to shop so there you have it..... That's me....

[simplemom]

I know I'm looking for that inner simplicity. For years, I've been wanting it. Sometimes I have moments of inner peace and I am able to slow down, but when I do, at times, then there's nothing ready for supper! lol You know what I mean? I have 4 kids! Imagine just the laundry and the cooking...that alone leaves me with little time to sit and smell the roses...and that is what I am desperately trying to acheive.

I realize that I have to make choices everyday, which will bring closer to this inner simplicity I am looking for, but I have trouble making these small decisions. It's like I want to do everything that has to do with simplicity and frugality and then guess what? lol! I overdo it. (I'm laughing, but I don't really find this funny)

Well, still, I'm trying...

[bamamomto4]

I don't think I have the simiplicity.I hardly ever take time to smell the roses or take long walks. I always think I could be washing dishes,cleaning the bathroom etc....

Frugal...well, I do use coupons and look for sales.I try to buy groceries on double coupon days verses non double days.I look for sales,bargains etc. I shop at thrift shops,yard sales for clothes and other items.So I think I'm being frugal...BUT!! Here's the kicker.....If I saved $50 by using coupons..I'll take that $50 and buy something I've wanted,or dh has wanted or needed etc...
Back during the summer I did really well at the grocery store and saved over $100 in a months time.Well since I "saved" $100 we took the kids to TN on a oneday trip to see the Fish aquarium and to Rock City. So......I save in one area to let us do other things we enjoy doing

[KathiS]

Saving money on groceries so you have more money for family outings sounds good to me! Children grow so quickly. I can think of nothing that is more important than spending time with your children. Each memory is worth a million dollars.

[Patchworkgirl]

Well, I am still struggling with the meaning of these 2 words. Right now, to me, frugal means taking what I have (be it income or material goods) and making the most out of it so that we have a great quality of life.

Simplicity is a little harder for me to grasp. Having 3 children, a part time job, and a husband who travels for work and is gone a lot, my life is extremely full and chaotic. By the time I get through what is supposed to be done in a day, there is very little time left for anything else. Lucie and Tammy, I understand entirely where you are coming from. Taking time to smell the roses so to speak means something falls behind. So, that's where I am on that concept- still struggling to find a happy medium.

[homesteadmamma]

KathiS - I couldn't agree with you more. I can think of nothing more important either than spending that time with your children. To me thats a part of "inner simplicity". Making quality time in order to do things with your family. I would have to say that is "living in the moment" and treasuring that time!!


Patchworkgirl - I know where your coming from. I have 3 special needs kids, homeschool and my dh travelled for years. Coming to the place that I'm at didn't happen overnight. My favorite saying of all time when it comes to frugality or inner simplicity is "take baby steps". It took me years to get to where I'm at and it will take me years to get to where I want to be. I had to learn what was important and FOR ME, I learnt that the house wasn't the most important thing or running here and there to every activity wasn't the most important thing, but spending time enjoying life was. One of the best books I've read on this is The Simple Living Guide by Janet Luhrs. She helped put into perspective thoughts that ran hither yond for me for years.

[Kindred-Spirit]

I think simplicity doesn't mean you don't have things. It means you have the things you love and get rid of the rest. I have LOTS of things, actually too many. But I think even if I did that no one else would think its simple. lol

I think being frugal to me is getting the best I can buy at the very best price. We would never get rid of our dvd player etc.. as it is our families entertainment. we don't go to the movies very often, would rather save the money and just buy it a couple of months later. It cost the same for our family.

My simple life means not running here or there. Doing what our family enjoys, not just cause someone else is doing it. We love to vacation, its really important to us.

[justjenn]

I agree with what has been said already. I wanted to be frugal, because we need to get out of credit card debt, and save money. I wanted to live a more simple life, because my life gets so hectic when I let it.

[MJsLady]

Well I know personally these may not be the same.
I love Amy D. but while she has frugality down she doesn't have simplicity the way I see it.
To me frugality is, as stated stretching what you have. Its also being content with what you have. One of my favorite quotes is from the Apostle Paul who says in effect, "I have learned in whatever circumstance to be content, I know how to live with plenty and I know how to live in want". That is not a direct quote as i do not remember where to find it at the moment.
I read Amy D. and she is so busy collecting stuff to use for something, I can just see a house crammed with empty cans and egg cartons. I am pretty sure shes not truly that way, thats just what her writing brings to mind.
To me simple living is not have ooodles of things to wash, nor piles of "someday' usable stuff.
I do save as much money as I can, I do yard sale for clothes, dishes, furniture or what have you but I do not save much trash. I do save mushroom cans because they are the perfect size for bisquits and dh is forever throwing out the one I use! I have saved a few egg cartons to 1) start seed in and 2) I am hoping to talk dh into letting me have chickens next year. I will need 1 carton to keep a few eggs in.
So I guess I rambled on just to say,
Frugality to me is a way to simplicity. I save to have the peace of mind to enjoy what I have. Ok does that make any sense at all?
Edited to add what Sara Said "It means you have the things you love and get rid of the rest." Is what I was trying to say but she did a much better job!

[homesteadmamma]

Bumping this thread up - more thoughts anyone or have your thoughts changed since this thread was posted.

[SusieJD]

To me, they are the same. learning to live "simple" leads me into "frugal". When you learn to do without what others think they could never do without is'nt had when it becomes a neccessity in life.

Susie in MN