Cheerful Frugality…In A Rut
If you've been reading my daily blog this week, you've probably noticed...I'm in a bit of a rut. Too tired. Too busy. Too overwhelmed to make a grocery list, let alone cook.
What do you do when your normally cheerful attitude takes a nosedive? Does your budget also spiral out of control?
Indulging in self-pity can be as destructive as indulging in too much McDonald's. Like overprocessed foods, over-processed thoughts taste good at the moment. But in the long run? You feel worse than ever.
Something fresh usually snaps me out of a slump faster than a bag of spring-mix greens. Here are my tricks for reviving the spirit of cheerful frugality:
- Challenge myself with new money-saving goals. This month, I'll be tightening our electric bill and walking to the grocery store to pay off my new stroller. Frugality is competitive!
- Get the creative juices flowing with a something-from-nothing project. We're making our own pumpkins from old balls and baking pots. Frugality is creative!
- Use the computer for research and writing, not escape. If you are Googling old classmates, you have better things to do. Focus on God's word and your stewardship mission. Frugality is productive!
- Reach out to others. My refugee work reminds me just how rich we are. Frugality is humble.
I think I feel better already!
Please know that if you struggle with discouraging moments, you are not alone. No one can be a one-woman wonder, one hundred percent of the time.
If you have a moment, lift the spirits of someone who's reading today. What is your strategy for getting out of a frugal rut?
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10 Responses to “Cheerful Frugality…In A Rut”
October 8th, 2007 at 8:14 am
I find that when I get busy, I “forget” about the budget and being frugal. It’s usually on weekends, so Monday mornings I have to give myself a wakeup call and get myself (and the rest of the family) re-energized! Just a few days of not paying attention can totally get us off track.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:10 am
I read a study the other day which was about dieting & spending. It found that people have a finite amount of self control, and if they are controlling themselves in one area they go nuts in the other. For instance, if you are sticking well to your diet, you are more likely to splurge on purchases.
Maybe your self-control with your schedule is keeping you too busy to stick to your budget. My budget has been out the window lately. I over spent by $4000 (!!) last month…thankfully did not go into debt to do it, and everything I bought was something we “needed” and planned to buy eventually. I attribute it to my recent pregnancy loss and I can see that in a weird way, it was good for me. I really don’t think a person can be completely disciplined in every area and this month I needed some serious retail therapy.
Maybe I’m rationalizing…
But I need to do better because I can’t live in the red like that every month or we will completely tank. Obviously.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
I don’t know that I have any tips, but I needed this encouragement today to stay true to the course and not spend the day fussing and grumbling. Thanks, Meredith.
October 8th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
I think it’s encouraging to know that other happily frugal people get weary of being frugal too.
For me to renew, it’s a long, hot bath and baking (and eating) something gooey so I can slow down and recongnize my blessings and accomplishments. If I’m burned out with anything it’s because I’ve been too busy.
October 8th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Spending time with a frugal and/or creative friend really helps me. I admit to using your blog and now this one for inspiration. Today a good friend who just bought a house and is trying to scale back her spending packed a great picnic lunch and brought it over (with a newborn, it’s easier for her to get out). Our kids hada ball and we had a great time catching up with each other. I came in refreshed and ready to start on some projects after talking them over with her.
October 8th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
This is a hard thing to face and admit, that you are in a slump and you’d rather not be ‘here’ but you are and so life goes. The question, are you going with or are you going to make a difference?
I know I’ve been struggling with this attitude monster. Namely our house purchase, although the right thing to do is financially tight!
I find myself faced with the knowledge that I must turn to the supplies bought previously must now be used for daily living and not the way planned.
Tonight I am in the process of sewing pants for my daughter’s winter wardrobe. The simple fact is that using my sewing supplies, all bought and paid for, is even more thrifty than going to the thrift store.
And yet, it is hard knowing that some of the fabrics I am using to make her winter wardrobe were bought for other more ‘fun’ projects. I know God provided for us in advance. I know that these fabrics are simply loved by my daughter and she is thrilled they are now for her…
and yet the attitude isn’t the greatest tonight!
October 8th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
When I find myself on the self-pity path, it’s usually because my walk with God has been permitted to suffer, even a tiny bit. It usually takes a liberal amount of time in His Word and prayer in order to get back to the cheerful mode. Self-pity is just selfishness… I think I deserve to have more–more money, more freedom, more fun!–than what God has allotted to me. My attitude says, “God, you made a mistake here!” even if my mouth doesn’t say it.
Meredith, your 4th point is a good one (They’re all good!)…we should just remember the origin of our blessings!
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”
October 9th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Going to the library helps get me out of a frugal rut. I try to take books out that will help to inspire me as I strive to be frugal.
October 9th, 2007 at 9:29 am
I’ve been down about other stuff lately that I really should not be or I should look at differently (i.e., needing to work outside the home, so I should be thankful for the job and very good salary that I earn). When that happens, I start singing “I’m a Lucky Man” (okay Woman) by Montgomery Gentry where they sing about all the blessings they have. It helps to get an “attitude of gratitude” and thankfulness going.
October 10th, 2007 at 11:57 am
I love to go on a treasure hunt in my own home–pulling out unused candles, china, vases, etc., to make beautiful arrangements that cost nothing. Clear a tabletop, find something lovely from another place in the house, gather something, anything from the yard or roadside, and make a satifyingly beautiful arrangement.
This cheers me up more than buying something new!
I also scan my shelves for a few books to pull out and stack on a side table–they must be beautiful and inspiring. And I make sure my closet is tidy, with everything pressed and (so sue me) arranged by color. Then I feel like I own the clothes store!
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