Is the phrase "Frugal Living" new one to you? Don't worry. We will explain what's behind this positive lifestyle choice.
So, what Is Frugal Living?
Frugal living is not to be confused with being cheap or suffering terrible deprivation. Frugal living is the choice to reduce consumerism and to live below your means. It means escaping the social pressure most of us are under to buy things we don't need for the temporary thrill of 'retail therapy' that often leaves us feeling emptier once the rush wears off. It means quality versus quantity on multiple levels of our materialistic lives.
Some of the common reasons people choose the frugal lifestyle include:
- Saving money/reducing spending
- A desire for a simpler, more minimalistic but higher quality of life
- Making it possible for a family to get by on one primary income
- Making it possible to travel or live other dreams on a lower budget
- Conscientiously opting to leave a lighter environmental footprint
Benefits to enjoy when people practice frugal living:
- Less money-related stress without overspending in the picture
- Quality versus quantity of items purchased
- Often people who practice frugal living find they live healthier too, for example eating more home-cooked meals than processed foods, or spending more time outdoors than indoors shopping
- Less clutter in the home
- Better mental health (consumerism is linked to more unhappiness than you may realize)
Worried about your family?
Here is a lovely description of frugal living by a mother and blogger who shares how it has enriched the quality of her family's life - especially her children's.
Here are some examples of decisions people make when they practice frugal living:
- Buying a well-made dining room table used for the same price as a new one of lesser quality
- Living in a smaller home
- Vowing to end the take-out coffee habit, bringing coffee from home in a travel mug
- Hosting a potluck and games night instead of going to a restaurant with friends
- Choosing the most fuel-efficient car you can afford
Learn how to get started here: How to Live Frugally