1. Is it out of necessity or because you enjoy it?

2. If you were not to have a problem with finances -- unlimited supply--- would you still live frugally?

Me -
1]yes out of necessity

2]Somewhat if we had an endless supply of money because we would then purchase up front the more expensive items like solar power maybe even an electric or hybrid vehicle we'd purchase more organic whole foods or even grow it ourselves

Not necessarily out of necessity. We have enough to pay our bills but we are living the frugal lifestyle to get completely debt free asap. This includes cc debt, vehicle payments, large student loans for both dh and I and our mortgage. We should be completely debt free in 10-12 years. That means we will be completely debt free by the time we are 45:cuc:

Even if we had more money I would still live a frugal lifestyle because to me it just makes sense and it is also easier on the earth in many ways.

oh...i don't know. i am totally clueless about how much $$ other people make/live on. but i'd say we live a frugal lifestyle out of necessity in that we have to be frugal in order to be able to afford DSL, tivo, and a cell phone. i know....poor me, right? i'm just saying we have more than we need in those ways, but then to keep up with that, we must be frugal in other ways.

i think i would still be totally frugal if we had a ton of money. i do love nice stuff, so i would have nice stuff, i'm sure. we'd have a hybrid car. oh there's a ton of stuff i think i would have, but i have a constant voice of saving money, cutting back, being content with less going on in my head...and i mean constant! so i doubt that would go away!

Honestly, I would live simply. People have too much, period. If I had unlimited funds, I would be so disappointed in myself if I fell into the consumer machine.

We live frugally, or at least try to, because we want to, not because it is necessary for us to survive and pay the bills. Simple is so nice! :) This is not to say we never splurge, but when it comes to the day to day stuff...groceries, clothes, so on and so forth, we are frugal.

1. Is it out of necessity or because you enjoy it?

1. Both. We feel we need to be totally out of debt as soon as possible...this nation is going downhill. (sounding like a crazy financial street preachin' end-timer, huh? *lol*) Debt is bondage and we are tired of being in this form of slavery.

While living frugal is serving a goal, I can also say that we enjoy frugality! It is a way of life, I have realized this now. Keeping more of our money means being able to give more away. Finding what we need secondhand is a awesome feeling!! What a rush!!!

2. If you were not to have a problem with finances -- unlimited supply--- would you still live frugally?

While we do have debt, we are blessed financially. We are not super-wealthy but we never thought we'd make what we do and know our income will only continue to go up until we retire. (we use to be so dirt poor....my gosh....I'm glad we came from where we did becuase we do not take things for granted and are more generous as a result) So the answer to this question is while we don't have financial problems....we also don't have unlimited finances!!! If we did have unlimited finances I can tell you that living frugally is not only our lifestyle but we feel it is our responsibility. We'd give away a lot of our money if we had unlimited. (giving is such a rush and a blessing, I love it) It just does not make any sense to me why my dh and I would change our way of living frugally if we had tons of money because there are so many people out there who are where we were a decade ago. (or worse off than that)

I will say that we'd probably buy nicer vehicles if we had the financial ability. We commute tons here in Wyoming and the newest, safest vehicles would be great!!! (I'm thinking a Subaru wagons for all the drivers in our house!!) ;) We also would buy some land out of town and build a house that would be the same square footage as this one but would be totally off-the-grid. (or as much as we could here) We would spend some money getting some used farm equipt and have a huge garden and can all our own food etc.....We also would finally make good on a dream of our children which is going to Disneyland. So...there are a few things we'd do if we had unlimited resources that we can not do right now. We'd also be able to fully fund medical needs that are not emergencies but would make our children's lives easier. (those with chronic med conditions, that is)

anyway, long answer.

Michelle

1: Both - I get a HUGE ego boost when I see how much money other people "need" to live on. Or when I see my neices closet, with as many clothes in it as my 6 kids have all together. It really makes me feel good. And I'm proud that I've found a good balance with getting good deals on stuff, but not buying things "just because" it's a good deal. I don't save money if I buy things I don't need!!

2. Yes - though with unlimited finances, we would be able to be self-sustaining/supporting much faster than we are working towards now! And I would be able to donate more towards charities/etc.

Your post was right on! This country is heading for at least a decade (or more) of financial devestation. I resist speaking of it as well because I end up sounding like a Y2K-er. But seriously, with our country's fuel addiction and our country's citizens being so totally reliant on others for everything (food production, clothing, heating, basic health related services) we will be literally helpless if/when these systems fail.

My basic goals are simple. Get out of debt. Produce as much as our own food as possible. Do not buy new stuff and buy very little used stuff. Used clothes, dishes, garden tools...everything in both economy and moderation.

It is a survival strategy. It is a financial, a moral and a social statement. But for me- it's basic, zen-type spirituality.

Rant over...

1. Is it out of necessity or because you enjoy it?

2. If you were not to have a problem with finances -- unlimited supply--- would you still live frugally?


1. It is now out of necessity.

2. Yes. Not because it's necessarily an enjoyable thing to do but because I don't find joy in consumerism. I don't take pride in my possessions, I take pride in things with meaning. I don't fill up my home with useless knick-knacks that I think look cute, I think lots of toys only take away from children, their imagination, outside play, etc. I don't see a purpose in having multiples of things when one item would serve a purpose.

Simplespirit- Your post is right on! I have told DH lately that if I tell others about the things I'm thinking I'll be called paranoid. I just want to buy a piece of land and build a little home on it so that when the rest of the world falls apart I have my own little world. :p

1. Is it out of necessity or because you enjoy it? Both.

2. If you were not to have a problem with finances -- unlimited supply--- would you still live frugally? Perhaps... it would be much easier with a different dh. lol... My husband is a toy person. I would live in just comfort and be happy, but he wants the extras. Honestly I am guessing there are a few things that I would get very used to if we could afford them... but for the most part, I like living where we are, and am happy as long as we can pay the bills, and plan for emergencies at the same time.