8 responses to “Frugality v. simplicity: Reconcilable?”

1. 

   Andrea January 30th, 2009 at 16:37

   I love this blog. It’s very reflective.
   I am definitely leaning toward the frugal side this year, especially with so many inspiring frugal, and happy, blogs out there. I personally don’t see a need to stockpile items or food just because. I also don’t function in clutter(even if it’s highly organized clutter).
   We’re trying to use up what we have in the pantry and add to it from there. Sure it looks a tad bare, not brimming with neatly stacked multiple food items which I thought was necessary before but really it’s just shelling out more $money at the grocery till; but $10 on 10 cans of tuna(for example) just to “have it” stocked is unnecessary. I’ve learned that the pantry doesn’t need to be a show piece. As long as your kids and yourself are fed healthfully and well, you really can get by on the back to basics items-with all four food groups covered.
   Plus this helps on the pocketbook & savings account.

2. 

   Karissa January 30th, 2009 at 23:07

   Excellent post *applauds*

   I was thinking this very same thing today. Lately I have been observing deals but still not shopping. I tend to buy most of our food at the Price Chopper because it makes more sense to me to drive to the one store rather than wasting gas driving all around town.

   And if gas prices go up again this summer, then we’ll be taking the bus, so it’s better to get into the habit of buying only what we need.

3. 

   Amber January 31st, 2009 at 00:55

   I think I err on the side of simplicity. Partly this is because of the kids. With 2 little ones my house is always cluttered, always a mess, always noisy. So my goal is to reduce that, not add to it.

   Although, I do cram my deep freeze, fridge, cupboards, etc. I preserve food and buy in bulk to save money. As long as it fits in my storage areas I can reconcile the two. I don’t use many coupons, though, because I find they’re often for convenience items or other products that I don’t buy.

4. 

   Nancy January 31st, 2009 at 13:25

   An enlightening post full of insight.
   Your blog reflects great depth and speaks to me on many levels. I applaud the way you approach life, with introspection and openness. You see the world through such wise eyes.
   I have no doubt you will truly find what makes you happy and gives you peace and in the process help others to do the same. Thank you for sharing.

5. 

   livingmyrichlife February 1st, 2009 at 14:44

   It’s an interesting topic. I’m moving to a life which is more frugal, more simple and more green. Sometimes each of these is contradictory and we have to choose one over the other, especially when deciding on whether to pay more for an item which is better for the environment. I suspect there is no easy answer and everyone just needs to come up with a balance which works for them.

6. 

   Saver Queen February 2nd, 2009 at 11:42

   @ Andrea – I love that you said this: “I’ve learned that the pantry doesn’t need to be a show piece. As long as your kids and yourself are fed healthfully and well, you really can get by on the back to basics items-with all four food groups covered.” This is so true – for one thing, I see a lot of “stockpile showpieces” by other bloggers. It can be exciting to get great deals & freebies, but making it the centre of your existence is a little extreme, and you see it all the time. It’s so true that the whole point is feeding your family in a healthful yet frugal way.

   @Karissa – I do the same, just observe the deal but not necessarily dive in. And driving to one store is the best way to go about it. It can be tempting to drive to multiple store but I don’t think it’s worth the time and gas money either.

   @Amber – how do you like your deep freeze? I know someone who buys his beef at insanely cheap prices because he buys it by the side. I thought the energy drain would be a problem but I guess the new ones are super efficient.

   @Nancy – thank you so much.

   @livingmyrichlife – you are so right that they sometimes contradict each other. I want to buy humanely raised meat at the market – it’s about 3xs the price. I’m thinking I might reconcile by just buying less, although we already eat very little meat. True about the balance – how do you know when you have found it?

7. 

   Miss M February 2nd, 2009 at 23:59

   Yes, I imagine a frugal who hoards every little thing, hoping to put it to use some day, would not be living simply. The simple side for me is the detachment from material things, I used to think life was only good if I could afford expensive clothes, jewelry, make up…. My life was about what I lacked. Now I embrace what I have and see that stuff was costing me too much, in money, space, emotional energy. I only aim to be my version of frugal, I’m sure someone else will find me wasteful. I don’t have the time or desire to spend 45 minutes checking out at the grocery store!

8. 

   Kate February 3rd, 2009 at 10:33

   I think they can be completely reconcilable. Gail is always saying that money is but a means to an end, and it’s true. Stuff is just that: stuff. It’s one of the important lessons to learn in the road to becomign more frugal,a nd it’s definitely a key feature of a simple(r) life!