5 Ways Frugal Living Can Bring You More Peace and Joy

In a world that doesn’t feel secure much of the time, knowing what you can do to experience more peace is valuable.

If there’s one thing most people desire, it’s to feel safe and secure. In other words, peace. When we can feel peace, we tend to feel a whole lot more joy.

But what does money and/or frugality have to do with peace and joy?

Let’s explore the topic.

Frugal Living: A Few Questions

• What makes you feel peaceful and happy? 
• Your loved ones? Money? Status? Material possessions?
• Do you need to have luxurious things in order to feel happy? 
• Do you equate success with things you’ve acquired?
• How do you feel about living frugal? 
• Are you watching the ways you spend your money?
• Do you spend what you don’t have, then kick yourself later?
• Do you think your relationship with money has anything to do with your level of peace or joy?

Many people who truly live each day experiencing deep peace and joy will tell you that there are various reasons as to why. One reason may be that they are not stressed about money because they’ve chosen to live a frugal life within their means. It’s not that they don’t like money. In fact, many do.

They understand that money affords us plenty of things, including a feeling of security.

Frugal living is often grouped with simplicity.

• Do you think you can you live a life of frugality?
• Is it possible to experience peace and joy in living simply?

The answer is a big, resounding yes.

5 Ways Frugal Living Can Bring You More Peace and Joy

1. Growing savings.

When you recklessly spend your salary on impulse buys for temporary joys, like a fancy coffee, eating out at high priced establishments, upgrading your gadgets, etc., you may suffer in the long run. Sure, acquiring material things that we covet can be thrilling, but they tend to only pacify.

You simply waste money for the temporary thrill. But what if you embrace frugality?

What if you only buy what you need and save the rest?

Then you grow your savings account and that can certainly bring you some stability and peace of mind.

2. Happiness through health.

When you have a moderate to a large income, you may be tempted to splurge on junk food or eating in fancy restaurants.

You probably have adequate money for your wants, you mindlessly purchase candies, fast-food items, and the list goes on.

If you’re not spending consciously, you may create bad eating habits. However, if you spend frugally, mainly purchasing foods that are good for your body, you save money and enjoy a healthier body.

And, if you’re healthy, then you tend to be happier and more peaceful.

3. You are debt-free.

Having debt is stressful.

If you acquired your debt by living outside of your means, then you’ve got a major problem. You will find yourself in a vicious cycle of throwing away money, then suffering from debts.

By living a frugal life, not only are you free to work in a lower-income job that you love (if you choose), but your debt-free life and financial independence will bring you peace and happiness. Plus, with all that savings from your frugal lifestyle, you will avoid future debts when it comes to emergencies, like healthcare.

4. Frugality inspires creativity.

If you have wads of cash in your wallet, you will be tempted to grab just about anything when you’re shopping for essentials.

But what if you go the path of practicality, like reusing, recycling, or going DIY for your projects and other pertinent needs? Then this will spark creativity and imagination. The act of creating and building provides a sense of accomplishment, therefore, more happiness.

5. Contentment and gratitude.

A contented and thankful heart is a happy heart.

When you’re living a simple life, free of extravagance or out of your means, you will experience a deeper level of joy. You see, whenever you upgrade your lifestyle, you will always find something to complain about, and you may always want more.

So, you will endlessly be upgrading; going on a horrific cycle of spending huge amounts of money just to chase that elusive satisfaction. But with a frugal existence, you will learn the value of contentment.

Are You Ready to Try Frugal Living?

Being frugal is not synonymous with being stingy with money, or being cheap.

It’s just being practical and having a more disciplined manner of saving money for the more important things in life.

Some people claim that life is short, so you might as well enjoy a wealthy lifestyle. However, genuine happiness comes from feeling secure, meaningful relationships, spirituality, nature, passion, health, knowledge, and creative pursuits. Living simply opens up many other sources of happiness.

By being frugal, you are not depriving yourself. You are enriching your soul.

Editor's note: This article was originally published Feb 11, 2021 and has been updated to improve reader experience. 

Photo by cottonbro studio