Frugal Friday here again.

It’s amazing to me that frugality can be the way of thinking and doing so very simply. I only truly started thinking about this concept with intentionality last July when I decided to go on a NO-BUY spree for the next few months. 

I recognize that I was frugal before that, and always looked for ways to cut expenses. But it was not a concept front and center in my mind. And that meant that I did not question whether I truly needed something, or it was just a whim. 

Not having that question in my mind meant I have wasted money on things that really hold no value for me. Or going places and getting random things that we already had too many of, and did not need more of for a long time (think condiments and jams from all the interesting places I found myself in- how much jam can a family looking to limit their sugar consumption consume?!)

Now I see my younger self making all the mistakes that feel silly and immature. I wish I could just give her a sentence or two that would make her stop and think. That she would make the realization sooner, and save all that money and put it to better use.

But I can’t. I can only be thankful that I made it so far. And now, this way of thinking is the only way I can think. I am sure I am still making a lot of mistakes that my 60 year old version would cringe at. But if life takes us in the positive direction over time, well, the journey is worth it. I mean, we are not born wise…we have to learn our flavor of wisdom with experience, with mistakes, with making choices in life.

So here I am making frugal way of thinking my way of living. I feel good in my skin. I like that I am not perfect. That there is a lot of room for improvement, but I am on the right path. 

Frugality for me brings freedom. From unnecessary stuff. From having more money invested for the future. From going back and forth in my mind whether I should get something or not. The flowchart of need-want-love leading to buying something or not is embedded clearly in my thinking, and it does not allow for sitting in the middle jumping from one side to the other. There is definitely peace in my head in this regard. 

And that doesn’t mean I cannot admire things in a shop. That joy I still give myself. But not having to decide whether to buy something or not, I can enjoy this little treat of browsing more completely, unadulterated with my monkey mind getting excited about maybe owning it.

Frugality is a gift I have given myself, and I plan to keep it forever.