Why be frugal? One word: OPTIONS
Frugality gives you options. I agree with Mrs. Frugalwoods and love to follow her blog. This most recent blog post of hers got me to thinking that this actually is what the Cleveland Furniture Bank Thrift store is really all about. I always like to say when you save your pennies with shopping for furniture, clothes, appliances or many other items in our store…you can take it to the bank!!
The premier marketplace Open to the Public Supporting the Cleveland Furniture Bank
- For the Treasure Hunter
- Affordable Furniture
- Value Seeker
- Adventurer
So why not take advantage of this premier store and save your hard earned money. Think about it, no matter how much or how little money you make, no matter where you live, no matter your family size, no matter what your long term goals are, no matter what your net worth is, and no matter how much you love or hate your job–frugality can deliver tremendous benefits to your life. When you have money in the bank–and aren’t living paycheck-to-paycheck–you have options in how to deploy your two most precious resources: time and money.
Conversely, when you’re in debt or spending right up to your means, you don’t have any option except to keep working–and probably harder and longer–no matter what else might happen in your life. I found this old chair at the Furniture Bank for pennies and turned it into an anniversary gift for our garden!
Frugality can deliver tremendous benefits to your life. Think about it.
Having a new baby and want to take extra time off? Too bad.
Parent enduring a health crisis and you want to take six months off to care for them? Too bad.
Just got word your friends are sailing around the world next year and invited you to join them? Too bad, you have to work.
The less money you need in order to enjoy your version of the good life and the more money you have saved up; the more freedom you have to pursue the life you want. Without the burden of debt or the incessant call of consumerism or the pressure to keep up with the standards and expectations of other people, you can craft a life that you enjoy living every single day.
Joyful frugality
Frugality is a beautiful and continuous cycle: the less you spend, the more you save, and the more you save, the less you need to earn because the less you spend… you see where I’m going with this. Joyful frugality–which is what we are discussing–embraces and encompasses everything that’s most important to you. It’s not about deprivation, it’s about spending only on what matters, which in turn causes you to structure a life that’s absent the hectic distractions of consumerism. When you’re living a life that brings you fulfillment and peace, your frugality is about what you’re gaining, not about what you’re giving up.
Frugality Gives Everyone Options. Make this beautiful tray for Mother’s Day from one of our gorgeous framed pictures!
Here’s what frugality has done for just a few of the Frugalwoods readers:
Ann, loves thrifting. She has been married for 50 years, shared that she and her husband are now comfortably retired, that both of her kids graduated from college without debt, and that their primary residence–as well as two rental properties and a vacation home–are all entirely paid off. And they have a hefty investment portfolio. The best part? Their income was never more than $40K a year. The power of frugality indeed!
Naomi was able to buy a car and a trailer with cash in order to travel the country while working remotely.
Jeremy retired at 33 and has been traveling ever since!
Johanna says that frugality gives her, “Freedom from worry when a car engine light comes on or any other unexpected bill comes up.”
Julie was able to, “retire early, live in a nice house and pursue gardening, volunteering, and other things I love to do.”
It’s also true that you don’t have to save 75% of your income in order to experience some of these benefits. Maybe extreme frugality is not for you. Maybe you are not interested in retiring early and investing reams of money. But, frugality can help you out wherever you are on the spectrum. Saving even 10% or 15% of your income to pay off debt, create a comfortable emergency fund, and contribute to an investment account is a wonderful way to start building long term wealth. There’s a lot in life we can’t control, but what we spend is largely within our control. Give yourself the gift of freedom from worry over your finances.
Why don’t you let us know your story of how thrifting and finding wonderful treasures at Thrift Stores helps you to pursue your dreams and save your hard earned money. Email me at molly@clevelandfurniturebank.org to share your story!
When you’re living a life that brings you fulfillment and peace, your frugality is about what you’re gaining, not about what you’re giving up.