cheerfully living on less
Frugality is one of the most beautiful and joyful words in the English language,
and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and enjoying.
The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things,
and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things.
~Elise Boulding
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Hi! I'm Kristen, but I'm better known as the Frugal Girl around these parts. I'm delighted to have you here, and I hope that the cheerful, frugal living I blog about will inspire you. Subscribe for free so you don't ever miss a post!
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Popped across to see if Q&A was up – and was greeted with this quote that I also put on FB back in October. So very true and very fitting with my mood. I’m having a chilled Pink Floyd (listening to) day today!
Yesterday, I spent a beautiful sunny day in our area’s Downtown with my husband and daughter. Aside from the small amount of gas to get there (not much!) it didn’t cost a dime. We walked, took pictures and enjoyed each other’s company. Who says you HAVE to spend money to make great memories?!?
So very true!
I like this quote
And having just moved house, I wish I didn’t have so many things!
Beautiful quote!
Lovely thought to start my day.
I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years at least, and I have to admit that when I hear the word “frugality” I still get an image of cheap, pinched, making do, not having nice things. I think this mostly comes from my childhood…to this day my mom cooks with poor-quality ingredients because they cost less, even though she can afford better. That image of frugality is not just uninspiring but downright off-putting.
I guess, though, that when I think of the Frugal Girl family, I don’t think of the word “frugal” to describe them. Instead, the tag line “cheerfully living on less” is what I identify with their lifestyle. That “cheerful” part is appealing and motivating.
Mostly I am frugal because we don’t have money to be extravagant. I hope that someday I can be frugal because I choose to be frugal, joyfully.
Sooo true!
Have you read the book Voluntary Simplicity? I am in the middle of it and many times throughout the book my mind wandered back to your blog and your lifestyle, Kristen.
Have a wonderful day!
I don’t even thing of Kristen’s lifestyle as cost cutting. I think it’s more a matter of being discerning, going for quality vs. quantity, helping the Earth and focusing on important things. A happy side effect of this lifestyle is saving money.
That quote was so lovely that I looked up Elise Boulding and discovered what an incredible woman she was–working for peace in the world through the lens of her Quaker faith.
An appropriate time to share this photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/coneslayer/3692149756/. There a small village in PA named Frugality.
Ooh, nice! I need to live there.
Thanks for this encouraging post! It’s so true! I am in a season where I can’t buy anything unless it’s absolutely necessary, while people around me are spending beyond their means. I feel blessed to have learned how to live with “less”.
Amen and amen!
I saw tiscquote a while ago but it always good to be reminded. Thanks
I love how your blog shows us how frugality can be such a great and positive aspect of life!
The things that we have should be meaningful though. Nice quote, and rings true especially due to the way society has projected consumerism upon us. How can we reconnect meaningfully?
It is amazing how we can lose track of what’s really important in life. Trying to be less consumed with stuff is a continuous battle. Really enjoy your blog. It inspires me!
I’ve gotten better at being grateful and enjoying what I have but honestly I’m a long ways from being frugal (I do look for the best prices though!) but I still keep looking for shopping and things to make me happy even though I know that kind of happiness is short-lived. I’m not in debt and do save but I really wish I could just pause in all the stress of day to day living and just enjoy. I’m working on it but still not where I ‘d like to be and don’t know the solution.