Some may think as a frugalist that I don’t believe in having things or lifestyle inflation. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth. I just don’t believe in “purchasing things for the sake of things.” A lot of that is due to my parents. My father always told me: “There’s always someone bigger than you, smarter than you, richer than you, or with more stuff than you. If you work hard, and keep a good head on your shoulders, you can be happier than any of them.”
You really can’t find joy in things. A favorite line of mine from the 4-Hour workweek refers to a man who was”riding on the sugar high of a new BMW purchase until someone bought a more expensive Mercedes.” The minute you get a 3G iphone, they come out with 3GS. After you purchase your ipod touch, you wonder if you should have held out for the ipad. You buy a 1080p TV, only to find out that your 60HZ is a poor comparison to its 240HZ second cousin. You get really excited about dual core, only to get run over by quad core computer processors.
As I said, this is not to say that I am anti-things. My father also raced vintage race cars, and there is a big piece of me that hopes that an MGB or a Triumph Spitfire might be in my future as well. I’m horrible at cleaning, so when the budget allows I will hire a cleaning service. These things that bring me joy have nothing to do with how much they cost, or what they represent to other people. They are simply things that bring me joy or allow me to prioritize where I really want to spend my time.
Do you enjoy the paintings in a museum more on the free day or when you pay to see them? Or do you just enjoy seeing a painting because it’s beautiful?
Someone will always have more, be able to get more. It’s important to be content outside of “stuff.” That’s why I like frugality. Spending less on things I don’t need will free up my time and money for things that I like, and what I like is immaterial of my neighbor, or my neighbor’s capabilities.
Andi B.