What does 'frugal' mean to you?

What does being frugal mean to you? cutting back? going without? making do?

To me its a lifestyle choice, and not always an easy one, but in our consumer driven culture it just feels right to me. I find there is something wholesome and rewarding in making the pennies stretch, which turns out is a good thing as this year, its going to be a challenge.

As I mentioned in my very first blog my husband is an illustrator, although has spent the last 7ish years working in a pretty unrewarding call centre job, and he recently quit to focus on creating a word for word graphic novel of the bible (hers the website and facebook page). This was made possible through a successful kickstarter campaign which although went way over the target will see us bringing home around £8k (about a third of our total income) less than last year!

Now I know for a lot of people that would seam terrifying and I cant say that I didn't have a tiny moment of doubt when I overheard the phone call giving notice, but I know that this project is what this family has been called to and I know what God has already started us on the path to seeing it become a success.

So is frugal just buying stuff for a cheap as possible?

Just over 2 years ago, when I was looking at returning to work after a years maternity leave with our first son, we decided that we would both work part time (him 28hrs and me 8hrs) and so we had to start to be more considerate in how we sent our income.

It was only really when I started looking at alternatives to our regular shops that I started to realise that cost wasn't the only difference and surprisingly might not be the most important.

When you buy something, there is generally a profit, where is that money going? what are you funding? and if its seriously cheaper than at a competitors, how did they get it so cheap? who lost out? 

Suddenly there's an ethical issue but guess what, shopping ethical is not cheap. Pop, fair trade, free range, cruelty free, or locally produced, on the label and its priced as a luxury item!

So its about buying the 'right' stuff?

The other week I took our 3 year old to a huge supermarket (one of those 24hr, sells everything and makes you thankful you got your girl guide orienteering badge, affairs). We don't go very often but there a few things that I cant get at our regular weekly shop that mean I have to visit there once every month or two. Thankfully it was post afternoon nap and my little shopping companion was safely stowed away in the trolly rather than running free as we passed the toy aisle (I say aisle, there were about 5, all over flowing with shiny, flashy, noisy, plastic stuff). Suddenly he shouts 'STOP!' points and with all the compelling seriousness a toddler can muster declares 'I NEEEEEED THAT!'.

It turns out he had no idea what 'that' was but it looked good and so obviously he wanted it. I tried to explain that the entire store was designed to make us think we needed 'stuff', but unsurprisingly it was lost on him.

The hard thing is that a large part of me wants to give him every thing his little heart desires, why not? there is very little else that can bring me as much joy as seeing our boys happy. But does happiness come from stuff? Its certainly what retailers want us to believe. Its what the media tells us every day, buy this car and you will look sucessful, but this face cream and you will be beautiful, get more stuff, enjoy life more, spoil yourself, go on! your worth it!

Why not? because none of its real, sure it will fill up your home and entertain you, but stuff wont bring you joy. Have you ever bought yourself something that at the time you thought was just the most fantastic thing, and within a week/month/year it will be old and you will be off finding something new to give you that happiness again, even if you dont realise it.

Is it about NOT spending money?

Our income has never been huge, its probably always been less than average but by being frugal we can be much more generous.We enjoy supporting different charities, tithing, hosting, blessing and surprising people both openly and anonymously. The bible is full of instruction to share, (Hebrews 13:16, 1 Timothy 6:18, Luke 3:11) but it worries me how these days sharing seams to be so counter culture. I hear often how people believe charity starts at home, its all about taking care of ourselves, but what would the world be like if we all just took what we needed and shared the rest?

I am also so lucky to be able to put my faith and trust in a God who is for me. A God who has always provided for me and if everything is from him, who am I to greedily hoard it up!

So finally I want to say that for me being frugal is taking a stance against consumerism, spending my money wisely, understanding my role in the bigger picture, and finding my joy in real things. Its honoring God who has blessed us abundantly and showing His love to those around us in a very practical way.