In a previous comment, someone mentioned that they may not fit in as a frugal because they like the finer things in life, even though they pursue it in a responsible manner.
You know what? That's exactly what it means to be a Frugal!
Frugality and us Frugals (or Fruggies) tend to get a bum rap, as if we're all some 30's Depression old fogeys clinging to our tattered clothes and hoping for the next hand-out at the soup line because we're too stingy to pay for our own food.... Er, no offense if anyone here IS from that time period.
But the point is, we need some serious PR work here because that's not what being frugal is all about! No, seriously it's not!
Frugality is simply a path of self-examination, investing in what is important to us and what brings us comfort and joy in life. The pursuit of happiness, but in an intelligent and responsible manner.
Frugality doesn't mean you can't travel, go out for dinner, or buy nice things once in a while. Yes, it may involve delayed gratification, budget planning, and saving up for it. Yep.
Doesn't sound too exciting, but we're smart people with head on our shoulders and feet on the ground, right? Some planning, saving, and even self-sacrifice is necessary sometimes in order to realize our dreams. We can either accept that and work hard at it, or we can live in the nightmarish world of false hope and false dreams through 19.9% interest and overdraft charges.
Now, I know some people are being frugal because they need to right now. Times are tough, and pinching pennies is a necessary way of getting by. That's true. But I think that only shows the versatility of Frugality, and not necessarily its full potential. Truth is, in my darker days, even just not having to worry about credit card debt was a source of happiness in itself. But it doesn't have to stop there either. In time, frugality brought even more comfort and joy to my life. And all that it asked in return is to be realistic about it and have patience.
But don't you see? We're the Bon Vivants of the financial world! Smile. Dance. Travel. Just don't go into credit card debt over it. Know what I mean?
To me, frugality is a world of beauty that is filled with guitar music, slow dances, and candle lights in a dreamy little foreign locale somewhere. And yet, it's also a world made very possible and very real simply because we work hard and approach it in a smart and realistic manner.
So, maybe I'm in a weird mood tonight, but come on now, who's with me?!
Viva frugality!
September 2nd, 2009 at 03:33 am
September 2nd, 2009 at 03:39 am 1251859198
September 2nd, 2009 at 04:37 am 1251862626
September 2nd, 2009 at 05:39 am 1251866399
The only thing is I've found some hardcore frugal people (or rather, people who really identify with the label) can get a lil haughty toward those who do splurge on nonessentials.... almost like vegetarians toward pescetarians or something. "You can't POSSIBLY be frugal if you bought a $500 coat." Etc.
September 2nd, 2009 at 05:40 am 1251866417
September 2nd, 2009 at 05:47 am 1251866849
We tend to associate frugality with "necessity-only" spending.
Frugal is going to Wallmart or a thrift store and getting a $10 sweater. My idea of frugal is liking a $450 sweater but waiting patiently for the mid or end-of-season sale to get it for $180. (it is better, however, than buying 4 crappy sweaters for the same amount). But still, is a $180 sweater frugal? No. It is beautiful though. Light, warm, flawless, unusual, etc... And if after a month of checking the price weekly it goes on sale, I will be weak and take it home.
Some people on this board put me to shame. After reading their posts my wants seem extravagant. But they are not going away! It is hard in NYC. Too many temptations presented daily that in other places you won't even know exist.
Blogging and reading other peoples blogs in just a way to get help distinguishing things I want and things I really want.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:41 am 1251888090
I agree with your post entirely....
Maybe we need a new word to describe the person in your post... emmmm
Resource Prioritiser....(bad)...
Captain of the Money Train.. hehe
Extracting most joy from small amounts of money Specialist...
Oh.. I give up ! lol
September 2nd, 2009 at 02:41 pm 1251898902
September 2nd, 2009 at 05:42 pm 1251909770
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:08 am 1251932892
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:17 am 1251933462
September 3rd, 2009 at 08:35 pm 1252006526
October 11th, 2009 at 02:03 am 1255222995
Frugality in many spending areas allows me the room to be frivolous a bit in the areas that give me the most pleasure.