Comments on: Cheerful Frugality Lives On The Bright Side

By: Joy of Frugal Living

Joy of Frugal Living — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:37:25 +0000

You are so right, Meredith. I think that attitude about finances carries over into the other parts of life too. I’ve had a lot of practice having to appreciate less than ideal housing, rentals rather than ones we’ve owned. We are fortunate to make a good income now, but we’ve been through having nothing. I actually think those experiences make your new circumstances when times improve even more enjoyable. We’ve had a rough time with several miscarriages in the last few years. I know my attitude of looking for the good has helped me through. It’s practice, and it spills over into all parts of our lives.

Jennifer

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 14 May 2008 02:34:05 +0000

I make more money now than any time in my career. I am finally at the top. If I were to compare myself to business people well, my “top” would be so far in the middle. However, I am more frugal now than ever before because we are saving to buy a home in LA. Finances change. That’s life. So I am happy to learn cheerful frugality when I don’t *need* to as preparation for when we do buy that house and won’t have two spare pennies!

What helps me stay cheerfully frugal is to view everything as a choice. I avoid saying “I can’t afford that” and say instead, “I choose to spend my money on…” We don’t have cable because we couldn’t afford both cable TV and air travel to visit family on the other side of the country. However, really it is a choice. Because I could cut back in some other area and have the cable TV too. There is so much power in choosing!

By: Katherine

Katherine — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:20:09 +0000

I do enjoy saving money. I wish my children were a little older so I could be more mobile during my week (get out there and take advantage of more deals, LOL!).

For the most part, I focus on the positive. It takes more energy to focus on the negatives, LOL! And, I don’t let the negatives victimize me!

By: Roxie

Roxie — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:35:36 +0000

I learned from my sweet grand mother a long time ago to ‘bloom where you are planted’ as I was never ‘happy’ with what we had. My husband was military. We lived in ‘base housing’ on the many different bases he was assigned to. Let me tell you, white walls you CAN NOT paint, plain jane floors, small rooms, and endless rules and regulations. We lived in the houses because it was part of my husband’s salary and we did not pay rent or utilities. So we saved some money. No, I did not like it very much, yes, I did grumble a lot. Poor man was going to school to fly fighter jets all day and listening to me ‘grump’ all night because my baby’s room was a closet. Well when I was complaining to my grandma one day she set me straight. I was blessed and too dumb to know it. It is all about what YOU do with what YOU HAVE. Can not paint the walls? Okay, I used sheets and starch as ‘glue’ to ‘wall paper’ my kitchen. I even did the same to my kitchen cup boards so they matched. When I got busy making the house HOME it made all the difference in my attitude. That goes a long way. Thanks for all you do. Your blog is one of the best I have ever seen. I enjoy it very much. Hope you are feeling well. Roxie

By: Shannon Miller

Shannon Miller — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:37:52 +0000

Contententment/cheerfullness is probably the most important thing I want to pass on to my daughter (sons, too, of course). A cheerful, content mother can make any place a welcoming and happy home. I’m constantly reminded that she’s watching me and that’s usually enough to stop any grumbling in its tracks.

By: sunny

sunny — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:39:34 +0000

thank you for writing this. cheerfulness is a choice. it’s nice to see I’m not alone in trying to live frugally when others around me don’t seem to struggle.

I have to remember that while no one knows my story..I don’t know theirs either. that friend in the nice house down the street here just might be up to her ears in debt….

or the other neighbor might cry daily and wonder how all the bills get paid – yet still manages to put on a happy face in public- like it’s all good.

I may not have much..but I’m learning to be content with what I do have….

By: Caroline

Caroline — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:06:24 +0000

Love, love, love this post, Meredith!

For us, we’ve found that when you realize that Jesus is the only “Good News” in our lives that we really need, it makes it easy to bear all things. As Paul wrote, we have learned to be content in any circumstance.

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:34:11 +0000

You are so right! There are always different ways to view your financial situation, why not make it a cheerful one. I enjoy saving money because it makes me feel secure and prepared for the “rainy days” that may come tomorrow. I’ve seen other people immersed in the “rat race” to make more money and get bigger and better everything. What’s the point? I’m learning how to be content with what I have and not join the mad dash to collect expensive stuff. Because there is no end to that pursuit – there is always something bigger and better that you could set your sights on – and by doing that how are you nurturing yourself and your relationships?

By: Ewokgirl

Ewokgirl — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:01:18 +0000

I’ve struggled with contentment at times. It doesn’t help that we go to a church in a very wealthy area, and most of our members live in the palatial houses around it. We do not. We have a modest little home, which I really do like, but considering it’s had nothing but problems starting 4 months after buying it, it’s hard to stay content at times.

My house has had foundation problems. There are cracks everywhere. When we think things are stabilized enough to start patching walls, a new problem crops up. (Last fall we were sinking in the center due to 2 leaks under our house.) I see my friends’ homes with granite countertops, beautiful antiques, professional-looking decor, and I can’t help but feel like my home is a dump in comparison.

BUT, my attitude is everything. My home is filled with windows looking out on a lot with fully-grown trees. Well-visited birdfeeders hang from those trees. Bunnies hang out in my yard. I have a loving husband and 2 sweet cats inside the house. I have a HUGE kitchen, which makes cooking a pleasure, even if the countertops are just old laminate. My shelves are full of good books. I have a craft room all my own. My husband has a Star Wars room that he enjoys being in.

Twice I’ve had people over and been told that my house is peaceful. It may not be perfectly decorated or have uncracked walls, but if it’s a place of peace, then I think I’m doing well.

By: Ducky

Ducky — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:36:45 +0000

I recently had a moment of overwhelming gratitude for all the things in my life that do work.

My life’s not perfect, but there are so many things about it that work the way they’re supposed to.