Cheerful Frugality, Uncomplaining
I have a beef with cheerful frugality. Yesirree, Bob. It's getting harder and harder to save money these days. What about those gas prices! And have you seen the price of meat lately?
I jest. But you have to admit, it's difficult to complain about a frugal lifestyle and like it.
Why? Because the key to cheerful frugality is...not letting yourself complain.
I'm not immune to the occasional case of self-pity. (See my own blog for the unflattering evidence!) When my heart murmurs discontent, I remind myself that as a Christian, I am to do all things without complaining (Phil 2:14); otherwise, I dishonor God's provision (Ex. 16:8).
So what does cheerful frugality demand when we're not happy with a situation? Do we overspend...and grumble? Do we pinch more pennies...and grumble? Do we stay stuck in a rut...and grumble?
Not if we want to be happy, we don't! Creativity's not just for craft projects. Let's face these challenges with imagination and ideas, not complaint.
- Grumble: I hate shopping at Walmart, but Whole Foods is too expensive, and I don't have time for coupons.
- Cheerful: I'm responsible for my own choices. I make the best trades of time, money, and effort I can.
- Grumble: I can't afford a Chuck E. Cheese birthday for my kids and all their friends.
- Cheerful: What kid is lucky enough to have a Cold Stone Creamery in her kitchen or a boot camp in his backyard?
- Grumble: My budget is strangled by retail prices. Why can't big business be fair to consumers?
- Cheerful: Step out of the mass market. Find generics at Dollar General, spices at ethnic stores, produce straight from a farmer or from our own square foot beds.
- Grumble: Travel is too expensive. We never get to go anywhere together.
- Cheerful: Let's invite out-of-town friends to vacation in our home. Let's enjoy their fellowship while we show them the town.
Next time you lament the state of your finances, give your budget--and your brain--a boost of cheerful frugality instead. Dwell on "good and virtuous” things (Phil. 4:8). Seek alternatives "like the merchant ships" (Prov. 31:14). Be content with what you have (Heb. 13:5). Encourage one another to do the same (1 Thess. 5:11).
I've tried to highlight some cheerfully frugal alternatives in the links above. Have you shared a similar experience or creative solution? Leave me the story (or the link to a particular post) in the comments below. We'd love to be inspired by your example!
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13 Responses to “Cheerful Frugality, Uncomplaining”
October 29th, 2007 at 9:46 am
As always, Meredith – a lovely and well timed article. I’ll be saving this one to read again when I need a reminder!
October 29th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
This is an excellent article, Meredith. I try to be really concious of this with my kids. From the beginning I’ve tried to stress the idea that homemade, creative things are better than store-bought. Halloween costumes and birthday parties are great places to let your creativity run wild and save some money. Levi had to “settle” for a store bought costue this year since he wanted to be a power ranger and I had too many other things going on to put one together. I still managed to make Brenna’s though! As soon as I get pictures posted I’ll leave a link:)
October 29th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Great article Meredith! Our attitudes are so powerful in shaping the spirit of our homes and the spirit of our life.
Our family quote this season is, “Make the best of it”. We’re trying to teach our kids to choose to make the best of it, instead of whining and complaining. And it’s a great reminder for me too, when things don’t turn out quite the way I planned!
October 29th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Thank you for the link, Meredith. I love your suggestions for at-home activities. A little creativity goes a long way…
October 29th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Thanks, Meredith! I was feeling ever so grumbly just now about nothing important. This helped.
And the link on inviting friends over made me laugh- I didn’t notice it was to my blog until I clicked through.=) Just last night we were reading through our guestbook and found that we have had ten separate groups of houseguests thus far this year. The smallest ‘group’ is one, the largest 12. That does not count duplicates (a couple of friends have visited us twice, one family of three three times so far).
October 29th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Thanks for this post! Just what I needed to read today!
October 30th, 2007 at 7:10 am
I needed this, too. Thanks so much!
October 30th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
That was probably the best post regarding ANY aspect of frugality that I have EVER read.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Great post. One of the rules in my house is that we never and I mean never complain about the price of gas. Also, everytime prices go up I try to respond with this attitude, God is my supply. Not complaining and focusing on God being our source will keep our attitude in check.
October 31st, 2007 at 9:34 am
This is such a good and timely post. We are working on the character quality of gratefulness at our house right now, and this goes along with that so perfectly.
Do you have any suggestions of specific ways (other than the obvious one of being a good example
) to encourage cheerful frugality in our children? I’m looking for ways to help get my children excited about being creative good stewards of what we have. Thanks for any thoughts!
October 31st, 2007 at 10:21 am
I applaud you and thank you for this post!! I so needed to hear this this morning… cheerful frugality… I wonder how often I dishonor God’s provision in my own personal life… often. Thank you for the encouragement today.
JOYfully in Him,
Kelli
October 31st, 2007 at 10:24 am
Thanks for this post. After paying to have my car fixed…again…yesterday, and grumbling about it….again….it gave me pause to stop and cheerfully say to myself…well, at least I don’t have to buy a new one right now. Thanks for turning this around for me.
November 3rd, 2007 at 12:11 pm
We have one bit of cheerful frugality that my children started years ago. For birthdays, they frequently choose one of their own favorite toys to give to the birthday child. As the kids get older, it is very gratifying to watch them graciously accept a cowboy hat, a tattered stuffed animal or a picture that a younger sibling has drawn. I didn’t institgate this practice, but I love it. It teaches the little ones to give from their heart, and it teaches the older kids to accept gifts with an eye on the feelings of the giver.
Annie
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