Frugality, simplified

I have recently been browsing through Amy Dacyczyn’s Complete Tightwad Gazette. (Remember how many Amy Dacyczyn fans I upset by questioning her “freezer bucket soup” method of using up leftovers?)

Reviewing so many tips for nitty-gritty frugality made me review my own core concepts of how to live frugally, and live well.  After blogging on frugal living for over three years, I’ve come to realize that what’s really important in frugality can be drilled down to a few basic practices. There are a few necessary components of living a simple yet abundant life, that don’t go anywhere near reusing dryer lint or making freezer bucket soup.

1. Take good care of what you have. Use, enjoy, and treat your possessions with respect. Over-spending can have the unintended effect of causing clutter and making us forget what we actually own. Not only can this lead to buying duplicate or unnecessary items, but what we own is forgotten and goes wasted. If you have fewer possessions but keep them in good shape and easily accessible (not stored in boxes or buried away in storage units) you will feel like you have plenty. The truth is, most of us have access to a lot of what gives us pleasure, whether we are rich or poor. Take full advantage of what possessions come into your life, use them, enjoy them, and take care of them. They will last longer and serve you well.

2. Develop the skill of learning to meal-plan and cook. One can learn to shop the sales, use coupons, and use a host of other tricks of the frugal trade, but my conclusion after trying to use those tactics is that if you consistently shop at a well-priced grocery store, plan meals around what you have in the fridge or what is fresh, and most importantly - cook yourself - you will save a lot of money. You don’t have to do this perfectly or drive to 5 stores to get the best price. Just eliminate some of the prepackaged food and impulse spending and get into the habit of planning and cooking your own meals. It’s really not that complicated. Cooking and meal planning are great skills to have.

3. Don’t be afraid of buying used. Clothes, cookware, books, hardware supplies, crafts, furniture and even gifts can be found in thrift stores. You will never find everything you’re looking for, but you’ll be surprised how much great stuff you can find when you make venturing into thrift, consignment, and re-stores a part of your shopping repertoire. It means you’ll be able to get a lot more than you might otherwise be able to afford, and you will find objects that have more interest, personality, and history than anything you will find at the mall.

4. Plan ahead. You aren’t going to be able to accomplish goal number 2 or goal number 3 without some planning. Anticipating your needs is a big part of financial stability and it’s also a big part of saving. If you have an idea of what you’ll need in the next few weeks or even months, you can start keeping an eye out at thrift stores or for sales in retail. Planning ahead is also a crucial part of meal planning. Even borrowing popular books or movies from the library takes planning. And saving in advance for purchases means you avoid putting the item on your credit card and paying interest. Most of us are so busy that we are driven by urgent needs, so learning to make planning a part of your routine requires a pretty big shift in habits and lifestyle. But it’s worth it.

5. Utilize the opportunities in your own community. I’ve blogged about this many times and it was also a frequent point of interest in my columns when I wrote for the Beach Metro News.  Chances are, there are unlimited amount of opportunities to take advantage of free or affordable activities in your own community.  Take advantage of your local recreation centres, parks & trails, public library (and not just for books, but workshops for kids, book clubs, movie nights, dvds and music), free festivals, art tours, guided city tours or hikes, public scientific or education lectures, the list is endless. There are so many ways to have fun, be a part of your community, and experience art, culture, science or fitness.

6. Be happy with what you have. And my readers by now know that I don’t mean, “just suck it up and force yourself to be happy” but really - find a way to be happy. Practice gratitude. Infuse your life with goodness in non-material ways. Take pleasure in small moments and be mindful of the world around you. Spend at least some of your time helping other people and doing things that matter to you and feel meaningful to you, whatever that may be. Collect things that make you feel good. Prioritize the hobbies, people, and activities that are the most important to you. Take time to recognize what it means to you to be content and happy and then pursue that. Very often it has absolutely nothing to do with designer furniture or clothes and more to do with cultivating important relationships and rewarding activities. The more you cultivate these passions the less need you will have of other “stuff.” And the more gratitude you practice for what you have, the more mindful you become of the beauty in the world around you, the more inner joy you will create.

That’s really it! Six simple but imperative steps in living a frugal life that is also joyful and fulfilling.