Frugal Freedom

“Joy is not a “done” to-do list; rather, it’s the ability to appreciate and savour the simplicity of each day’s routine. To not feel that you need a vacation from your life. To know that you’re living as close to your ideal as possible, every single day.”― Elizabeth Willard Thames: Meet the Frugalwoods: Achieving Financial Independence Through Simple Living

“A lot of stuff we spend money on actually makes life less enjoyable in the long run. And a lot of cheap and free stuff is very enjoyable indeed. So why choose the stuff that requires us to work all the time and get stressed about bank balances?” ―Annie Raser-Rowland and Adam Grubb: The Art of Frugal Hedonism: A Guide to Spending Less While Enjoying Everything More

I’m half-way through my low-buy year #2020WeHavePlenty. I’m not buying any clothes or books, replacements only in accessories and beauty products, only occasional take-away coffee and food, trying to use less utilities and budgeting for groceries and other expenses. In many ways, being in various levels of lockdown has helped cut down my spending in most categories; Public Transport, Petrol, Entertainment, Beauty, Gym etc and helped me feel OK about adopting a tracksuit-only uniform. I learned that literally having nowhere to spend your money means you don’t spend your money. I’m fast colouring in squares on the money saver page on my fridge.

Two excellent books I’ve read recently, “Meet the Frugalwoods” (borrowed eBook from library) and “The Art of Frugal Hedonism” (a friend lent me), have shared the increased pleasures of living a simplified, values-driven life. The joy of harvesting and sharing your own produce, of camping with friends, the relationship-building potential of cutting each other’s hair and going on picnics. The silver lining of lockdown has not simply been the Scrilla saved but also the increased focus on values, the return to simplicity, self-sufficiency and sourdough starters. Is a wine-cooler (or kombucha) in the driveway talking to your neighbours secondary to getting on-the-beers at the pub or is it actually superior? Likewise, nature walks and live streamed yoga classes vs. going to the gym. Ditto homemade cinnamon scrolls vs. Baker’s Delight?

“In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.” – Dave Hollis

Perhaps we can all try and continue to live a life rich in simple pleasures, home cooking and time rather than so much outsourcing, over working and expense. I’m looking forward to the fun of frugality and saving money for the rest of the year. I plan to do the Frugalwoods Uber Frugal Month challenge in July. Who’s filling up their thermos and coming with me into this brave new world?

Love and light and less is more xxx Yvette

Frugalwoods https://www.frugalwoods.com/category/uberfrugalmonth/

The Art of Frugal Hedonism https://www.frugalhedonism.com/

2020 we have plenty https://www.uselesswardrobe.dk/low-buy-2020/

Colouring in Pages https://debtfreecharts.com/products/debt-free-land

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