Being Frugal means different things to different people.
Some people are frugal as a way of life, lots of people are frugal out of necessity and some are frugal to enable them to free up money for other things.
We come under the third category, we save money where we can so that we have more spare money to spend on the children and to do fun things with them. I want them to have a happy childhood and whilst I’m fully aware that money certainly doesn’t bring happiness, the money that we manage to save means that we can take them on holiday, go camping, buy them treats, have family days out and do fun activities with them that we might not be able to afford otherwise. In the school holidays for example, we do lots of free or cheap activities and the money we save allows us to do some things that cost money – like a theme park.
We have a nice house, a car that gets us from A – B (most of the time) and about average debt that we’re working on reducing but for the most part we choose to spend our spare money on experiencing as much as we can with the children as a family. That’s what makes living frugally worth it to me personally.
I don’t feel like we’re going without in any way, we’re just making the best of everything that we have by doing small things like planning our meals, getting the best deals for everything and keeping an on our budget.
I think the word frugal sometimes presents people with a picture of people not living a full life or worrying about every penny that they have to spend but that genuinely isn’t the case for a lot of people and certainly isn’t for our family.
I hate the dictionary definition of frugal – it includes words like scrimping, miserly and penny-pinching! If I had my way there would be an extra definition of frugal added to the dictionary:
Frugal – saving money to spend on having fun with your family.
Everyone has their own reasons for being frugal – what’s yours?
that's so true, it does make you appreciate the true value of things more. Thank you x
This is a great thread and I love to hear what living frugally means to different people. For me, I'd say it is a combination of things. Necessity is the first, and unfortunately thats increasingly the case for a lot of people these days. I've cut back just about everything I can and try to waste as little as possible as we are earning so little. But luckily that then ties in with thinking about the environment more. I agree with 'talkingaboutfoodagain' above about the amount of waste here in the UK. It is shocking, and its a reflection on how we all learned to take everything so much for granted. Having to think carefully about everything you buy certainly makes you appreciate the true value of things more!
Interesting question that got me thinking. I hate waste – food especially. I lived in the Middle East for many years where food was plentiful and leftovers were never thrown away and would reappear at another meal. I was shocked when I returned to the UK – there was so much food waste. You have a lovely site, by the way.
Thanks very much and you're so right about food waste – it is shocking and so easily avoided!
sorry should have read love your definition, to eager to click comment 🙂
lol
LOVE you defination! We like you fall in to the third catorgory now, We 'penny pinch' (sorry but I like that phrase!) in some areas so that we can spend our money enjoying our family time and treating ourselves to a few little luxuries, with both myself and hubby working full time, our time together is to be cherished and i won't apologise for wanting to spend some money to help make that time more memorable! However last year it was more out of neccessity so I could afford a full year on maternity leave…
Perfect reasons – now I just have to tell you off for saying penny pinching lol
I'm frugal for some of the the same reasons you are Cass I want my chidlren to have many adventures and opportunities some are free and some cost and need us to save for. I also gave up my job when my kids were born and as I had been the main earner this meant a HUGE lifestyle chnage. I hate being in debt – I grew up in a family where for various reasons we were often in a very scary financial positions and I NEVER want my kids to be the ones who don't have or who can't. I remember going to school with holes in my shoes and literally my mum could not replace them for quite a while, we had no phone and no car till I was 21 either and even then that was odd (particularly where I live). Luckily I am confident and friendly and I got through unscatherd but DETERMIND my kids won't experience this. Blimey what an essay and what a great thought provoking post.
Brilliant answer Becky and excellent motivation for you by the sounds of it – no wonder you're so fab at it x
I'm frugal to avoid consuming, not to be stingy but to consciously live with less, own less and personally consume less.
great reasons x