Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Annie Raser-Rowland of The Art of Frugal Hedonism.
If you are reading this blog, it is almost certain that you, like me, live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, in an age of material convenience and luxury unimaginable to 99% of the humans who have come before us.
We should be ecstatic. But most us aren’t. We are clearly doing a Very Poor Job of turning our historically-unprecedented wealth into happiness.
Where did we go wrong? And is there a way to grab the reins back and gallop into the golden meadows of contentment you’d think such a lucky society would be frolicking in?
Answering this question was the motivation behind writing The Art of Frugal Hedonism: A Guide to Spending Less While Enjoying Everything More.
Now, before you protest that ‘Frugal Hedonism’ is surely a contradiction in terms, read on.
For most of our species’ time on this planet, we’ve suffered from being too cold, too hungry, and having to work too hard to meet basic needs. We’ve had millennia to become programmed to always consume whatever we can get our hands on—because tougher times could be lurking around the corner. But now we’ve carried that programming into an age where there is so much for us to consume that it is hurting us rather than helping us. Easy mistake to make. Let’s start un-making it.
Even those of us familiar with minimalism can struggle to shake off the mentality encouraged by a million advertising campaigns: That ‘the good life’ and ‘treating yourself’ are achieved by spending, and that consuming less is a sacrifice. Something goodie-two-shoes do for the sake of saving money, or saving the world.
And at first glance it does seem that consuming less requires more effort. Ride a bike instead of driving?! Make a thermos of coffee every morning instead of stopping at Starbucks?!! Pump up the stereo and clean the house with nothing but some old shirts cut into rags, a bucket of water, and your God-given muscles?!!!
Yet, an oversupply of consumables (read: what most of us modern first-worlders consider necessary) actually has a nasty tendency to sneak up behind us and pop out in the form of effort we need to expend. Examples? The effort of going to the gym/weight loss group/doctor because you were oversupplied with cheap foods and labour-saving devices. The effort of taking your whatsit in for repair/finding a replacement part for it/getting it steam-cleaned/syncing it with your other whatsit. Not to mention the effort of going to work to pay for all those services.
A Frugal Hedonist is not sucked in by false convenience, but opts for the more elegant efficiency of a little self-reliance here and there, and a little creativity. Chop up that whopper pumpkin that you grew with a hatchet and make it into enough soup to replace ten takeaway lunches, then hang out your laundry because you’re too thrifty to use a dryer. Walk to the shops instead of driving, and base your holidays around hiking to waterfalls rather than eating at new cafes in different places. Instead of taking your kids (or yourself) to the movies or the mall for entertainment, loll about in the nearest patch of sunny grass for an hour and count how many types of bug you can spot.
Make these kinds of choices for a while, and you’ll find that staying financially and physically healthy starts to take care of itself. And true hedonism requires both kinds of health to bloom.
There is also profound pleasure in the power of acknowledging that you don’t need to get everything you want. Your children don’t need to get everything they want. Previous generations took this for granted, but our age has confused not getting what you want with deprivation. Tap in to the gutsy spirit of your forebears, and get on with enjoying life with an outdated cellphone and mismatched crockery!
Perhaps the most brilliant side-effect of restricting our consumption is that it keeps us alive to pleasure. Setting ‘lean against luscious’ is one of the key mantras of a Frugal Hedonist. Getting into a steaming hot shower feels eight times more delicious if you’ve just cycled home through a rain storm than if you drove there in a heated car. Scoring an amazing cashmere sweater from a thrift store is much more exciting if you don’t have a thicket of impulse buys looming guiltily at you from an overcrowded wardrobe. Buying a fresh mango from a street stall to eat messily on a summer’s afternoon park bench can only be as succulent to someone who doesn’t grab a chocolate bar every time they go through a supermarket checkout.
A Frugal Hedonist declares that it’s ridiculous to suffer from the living being too good, and looks for the sweet spot. She accepts that we are pleasure-seeking animals, but refuses to accept that decadence can only be achieved by spending money. He keeps himself financially free enough to do what he really loves by ongoingly questioning the ‘comfort and convenience’ spending that our society has convinced us is normal.
Let’s stop denying ourselves the full benefits of a materially-modest, sensually indulgent lifestyle. Let’s get Frugally Hedonistic.
***
Artist turned permaculturalist, forager, and writer, Annie is the co-author of The Art of Frugal Hedonism: A Guide to Spending Less While Enjoying Everything More and The Weed Forager’s Handbook. I was introduced to her phrase, “Frugal Hedonist” a few months ago and immediately asked her to explain more. You can find more about Annie on her website.
In reading this article there are some things that resonate with me. I was raised by my “depression-era” grandparents who taught me so much about life and living within my means.
As a child, I had everything I ‘needed’ with a little of what I ‘wanted’ sprinkled in every now and again. I remember all my friends going on family vacations every year, living in homes with backyards (some with a pool!). They got new cars, new furniture and two friends had sooo many wrapped presents overflowing under their Christmas tree there was no room to even walk into the living room. I never felt jealous, nor did I envy them and I never felt deprived going back home to my house after hanging out with them at theirs. My family of 3 and our house was not like theirs at all. I know now, but never knew it back then as a child, there wasn’t a lot of money to spare, we lived off of their two monthly social security checks, no other income or pensions and no other family to help. We definitely were not ‘middle class’ (like my friends). Maybe we were poorer than most, after all we didn’t have a lot of money or ‘things’ like my friends’ parents but my home was filled with love and was THE place all my friends wanted to hang out at for Grandma’s cookies and Pappap’s hugs!! We are breakfast AND dinner together every day, a home cooked meal 7 days a week! Grandma was always there EVERY day when I walked in the door after school, and later so was Pappap. And that made me rich beyond measure. I grew up fast when they were called home, first Grandma (I was 11yo) then Pappap 3 years later. I was 14yo when I moved out on my own and went to court to become emancipated.
Their values, faith in God and invaluable life lessons in frugality are how I survived back then and through it all to thrive today. I learned from them at a young age how to create and stick to a budget, save my money, ALWAYS buy my needs before my wants, and live below my means. I’ve never been materialistic, I don’t live on plastic money. I do love a great hunt in my favorite thrift stores and the never-ending adventure of discovering new thrift stores ‘down the road.’ I love a good bargain and my local Buy Nothing Group! There IS a difference between being ‘cheap’ and being ‘frugal’ (a ‘frugal hedonist’ ??). If/when I have to, I can squeeze a buffalo nickel so tight the buffalo poops!
It’s all a matter of perspective. I am blessed beyond measure. Money isn’t always everything. I don’t need to keep up with the Joneses. Mine is a life not of deprivation. Yes, there are things I want and I have my ‘Wish List’. Some things may be unattainable but I’ll never know that, only He knows.
I have always been frugal, no matter how much my net worth has climbed over the last decade. I have gotten to the point where I can’t even think of purchasing an article of clothing in a mall when I can buy a perfectly good shirt at the thrift store or a yard sale instead.
I think what makes it better is the difference between being frugal out of necessity and because I choose to be. I have the money to buy what I want, but I can get the same pleasure out of a less expensive item that does the same thing.
With little or no debt, a job is just about having extra money to take a trip and health insurance. I have become more of a slacker lol, and I don’t need to climb a ladder to make more anymore. A walk with the dogs, while listening to my favorite podcast is perfect. Camping with my son and dogs. Sitting down and eating a nice meal at home.
We are programmed as a society to think that more is better or we have to have the best of everything. I see a lot of unhappy people always striving, buying, and trying to have more. Simplifying and being grateful for what you have instead of what you think you need is life changing.
YES! 🎯💯❗
I can’t seem to edit here so I rewrote as best as possible. Thanks.
People that don’t have money to begin with, live in this fashion. But they definitely cannot choose to be frugal after buying a BMW, condo, house, etc. because they don’t have those things to begin with. And can’t retire from a pension early after being materialistic their whole life to then take their kids to a remote island!! What? Wow?
Can this be written with some sense of reality? Great! It is a blog and an opinion and an option to educate myself about hedonism. But, many of us are educated or not, or have great jobs or not, or are jobless, or suffered a lot in life….or not….or lived in the red. And in case you don’t know, living in the red means having -500 bucks in the bank most of the time for years on end…as we try to get the “mandatory” degrees we have to get to get any job. And work at the same time. The apartment is in itself a miracle to live in with shelter and basic food and drink. And many of us did this with no help from family. When I say no family help, I mean this politely, family helps sometimes but don’t necessarily have resources either.
So let’s say you do get to 40 years old to obtain your first “better” paying job. You then have to pay back all the debts. Another 10 years or so go by. And then having to pay for more schooling to update. Because schools…and facilities want you to spend more money again to update education. Usually to do the same job anyways? Rich people love this….I don’t so much. Because it keeps us down and never getting ahead financially. Educated and penniless. It’s even more annoying after spending all that money and being told…isn’t that great?! It is. But now I can’t go on vacation. So school is great. But when it takes away from your lively hood it is not great. And we suffer judgement for this on top of this. I wish society actually slowed down the nonstop education costs. Most of us just can’t keep spending that cash.
So at 50. I can begin my life buying some nice stuff. Barely. So at 60 I won’t need to look back to see if I was hedonistic. Many of us have no choice but to be hedonistic our whole life. NO CHOICE. And it’s ok. My life has been a joy, even with the so-called struggle seen in cooking your own food, walking and being hedonistic. It’s work but I always liked work. It’s not work to me. It’s domestication basically.
I will never own a car, bike, house, condo, or that kind of stuff. I struggled. I did suffer. But there were many opportunities of joy also. This was my normal and still is.
My issue is: the judgement I may get for having less. The same people that stopped talking to me when they bought condos, houses, cars, and expensive stuff….because I may not mix well anymore socially…..are the same people writing these articles about how wonderful it can be with less stuff (difference is there bank account is still loaded as they live this bohemian lifestyle). At any point, they can just buy a BMW anyways. Nope. Not me. In the old days more people mixed socially regardless of being rich or poor. Not now.
And when they take up this lifestyle they can be self-righteous about it…and still NOT want to be in your life.
Because we both know…I’m not hedonistic by choice. They are. And therefore we still come from different stock. So that is still exclusive social behaviour.
Anyways. There is bad on both sides of money and no money.
Be hedonistic, at least you are trying to live with less! But maybe make a friend who can’t go on vacation or who can’t even buy a video game console, car or even a bike. Try it. Even people with less can be fun and wise.
I don’t know. I think people that judge others for what they have or don’t have are often the ones that are living right to the edge anyway. The person with the BMW or new coach bag is the same person who does not have 2 cents in her bank account.
I have met and worked with people like this. When I was younger, I always thought, what am I doing wrong that I don’t have a brand new (insert shiny object here) and so and so has 5 shiny objects. Now, I realize, for most Americans, it is because they live beyond their means. It’s a facade of wealth.
If people are judging you because of what you have, those are people that are not worth your time anyway. They are shallow.
People that don’t have money to begin with live in this fashion. But definitely cannot choose to be frugal after buying a BMW, condo, house, etc. Because they don’t have those things to begin with. And can’t retire from a pension early after being materialistic their whole to then take their kids to a remote island!! What? Wow?
Can this be written with some sense of reality? Great it is a blog and an opinion and an option to educate myself about hedonism. But, many of are educated or not, or have great jobs or not, or are jobless, or suffered a lot on life….or not….or lived in the red. And in case you don’t know living in the red means having -500 bucks in the bank most of the time for years on end…as we try to get the “madatory” degrees we have to get to get any job. And work at the same time. The apartment is in itself a miracle to live. And many of us did this with no help from family.
So let’s say you do get to 40 to obtain your first “better” paying job. You then have to pay back all the debts. Another 10 years or so.
So at 50. I can begin my life buying some nice stuff. So at 60 I won’t need to look back to see if I was hedonistic. Many of us have no choice to be hedonistic. And it’s ok. My life has been a joy. Even with the so called struggle seen on cooking your own food, walking….etc.
I will never own a car, bike, house, condo, or that kind of stuff. I struggled. I did suffer. But there were many opportunities of joy also.
I agree with the principal – 3 years ago my husband 3 kids and I moved from relative comfort to a tropical extremely remote island to live – literally self sustainable. It was very tough – no hardware stores – so tool maintainence was us – no convince foods – meals planned out according to pigs and fish caught and preserved … It was also incredible for our children – from ‘wanting’ whatever others had to playing in the rain and wandering – now we live on another island much less remote with most modern conviencense – like a washing machine – the appreciation and acceptance continues which is awesome! Accepting what u have, being grateful for that and recognising the value in fresh water washes and mangos ( they grow here) or clean sheets is great
“Make these kinds of choices for a while, and you’ll find that staying financially and physically healthy starts to take care of itself”.
Not quite… This kind of statement assumes that you have sufficient money to begin with, and that you are not living with a serious health condition. It’s worthwhile remembering that neither of these things are a given (and to be grateful when you have them).
I have definitely learned to be frugal to attain my goals. Especially, if you want to FIRE. I practically get everything from the library and try to drive to stores that are in a 10 mile radius of my home.
Thanks,
GBM
Simple pleasures are truly the most savored! It’s not an exercise in depriving ourselves, rather a way of looking at the world through the eyes of a child.
I am all for the potency of mistreatment my body to try to to additional work so I is additional physically work whereas doing fewer pointless reps within the athletic facility.
this is one of the best articles I have read! underlines my desire to live simply with an abundance of gratitude in my heart!
thank you so much
The phrase “frugal hedonism” is definitely an eye catcher, and I love it! I have noticed a lot in the last year how some discomfort and lack lead to a lot more pleasure in the little things. And I am all for the efficiency of using my body to do more work so that I can be more physically fit while doing fewer meaningless reps in the gym.
The problem as i see it is, we are very much conditioned to do most things in our lives these days, not sure if its a generational thing, but most people today cannot seem to think for themselves, or take responsibility either, me included. If i am in debt as i am then surely i need to live within my means as possible, and the remark over the mango as daft as it may seem, made me think i could chose fruit over fattening food then i might lose weight, some of my problems have come from poor choices, and minimalism comes across as a new religion haha, in my mums day they had a spring clean and because they were not greedy or had money to waste on things, once a year was sufficient, cheap manufactured items simply didn,t exist, bought good quality and kept it.
i do hope this year i make some better choices that serve me good and others
love Jacqueline
I enjoyed your article very much.
I think it is really important to note that the author of this piece is Australian, and therefore lives in a country that benefits from a very robust social safety net. To my American ears, this piece comes across as a little tone deaf.
For starters, many of us here in America are not struggling to translate our “historically-unprecedented wealth” into happiness. The wealth you speak of isn’t ours. It belongs to a small group of individuals. Have many of humanity’s hardships been erased by technology? Yes. But in my state, tons of people are still at risk of freezing to death on the streets. In another, 20 have died because they were denied access to proper restrooms.
The author extols the “elegant efficiency” of self-reliance, but self-reliance is all that many of us are left with. As much as I enjoy biking, it’s doesn’t feel very elegant or efficient when it’s your only option because you can’t afford a vehicle and the public transit in your area has been cut back. I’m sure floating down the street to buy a mango is so much more pleasurable than buying a candy bar as you wait in line at the corner store, but when you live in a food desert there are no farmers market to float to or mango to buy. It is a privilege to be able to choose the bicycle or choose the mango. Framing either as an almost moral choice to “keep us alive to pleasure” leaves a bitter taste.
Minimalism is a bit hard but it is worthy. I love reading the blog.
Interesting article, but is what you are advocating actually hedonism? With all respect to you, and I do say this respectfully, I’m not so sure that it is. And if it is, sense pleasure is a dangerous path to travel as senses are dulled over time. The middle way is another way and rises above the self to allow greater empathy for others.
I don’t care for using the term “hedonism” in the title, either. Personal preference, that’s all. I’m much older than the authors. I understand what they are trying to convey using that term, however, I would have used a word like “enjoyment” or something similar. They are writing that there are many lovely things that we can enjoy that cost very little or nothing at all.
Speaking of being older – I would like to connect with blogs or discussions with people who live frugally and minimally or semi-minimally in their retirement years. Over 50 or 60 perhaps? Reading that so many younger singles and couples are embracing these values is great, also.
Hi over 60 interested to connect with you and the blogs
I am preparing to downsize this spring-(scarey-so much to dispose of)-live simply and peacefully in my retirement
June NY
I have had the joy of finding a nice cashmere sweater at the thrift store!!…followed by the terror of watching it slip around the corner as my new puppy decided to pull it off the drying rack and try to run off with it. X-D
This article really resonates with me!
In what I refer to as ‘Life Part One’, I was taught that I had to do all in my power to achieve, to earn a higher income, and to acquire ‘nice things’. While I do think it’s important to work hard when necessary, I now realize how much I lost in trying to gain. The years of stress took their toll, but I was fortunate to catch myself and work out strategies to reduce stress, focus more on what I truly value (outdoor adventures!) and live on less without the constant worry of ‘not having enough’.
So, now it’s a more simplified Life Part Two where I finally do work that I actually enjoy. I drive an old car. I use an old cell phone. And, I am careful with my consumption and purchases. At the same time, we don’t deny ourselves fun experiences. It has felt great bringing Frugal Hedonism to the next level!
A wonderful morning read. Thank you. A reminder as to how I am succeeding in my life and not being controlled by the consumerism around me. During the holiday season I shut down my spending and don’t shop unless I really need something which is rare. It just feels so good to not be in the stores this time of year. I feel like I have so much more time to just enjoy the holidays. There is so much quiet in my neighborhood this time of year because everyone else is at the mall. Pure peace, just me and birds.
1) Stop going to super markets WITHOUT a list of things that you ACTUALLY need….this drastically reduces impulse purchase.
2) Start a regular exercise routine and diet(that includes proper meals…NOT the packaged crap)….this will improve you health, reduce your dependency on doctor and medication.
3) Read “The Millionaire Next Door” & “Your Money or Your Life”….these books will radically change your relation with money.
Just doing the above 3 things will result in eye popping savings and a massive turnaround in your savings, health and result in heightened self awareness.
I have never understood this addiction to Starbucks….just how difficult is it to make your own coffee?
If you are living in a city with fairly good weather, buying a Cycle and using it (for exercise and chores) will lift you up like no other exercise.
Cycling helps one to get out there in nature and cover far more distance than simple walking or running.
I enjoyed this. It reminds me of the simple/frugal living books I read back in my college days and which had a profound impact on my life:)
Let’s start by enjoying our homes and all the love we put into them. -Laurel
In the past year or so I’ve been appalled by some government leaders that tout the economic benefit to the country through ‘increased spending.’ What the average consumer needs is DECREASED spending. Since retirement a couple years ago I’ve become a decreased spender (on myself), and have been able to increase my support of charities that directly benefit those in need–hurricane victims, food pantries, Goodwill (my declutter go-to), soup kitchens, poor schools, Habitat for Humanity, Southern Poverty Law Center. What a great feeling, as opposed to wondering where you’re going to store your most recent self-indulgent purchase. Oh, occasionally I do buy something totally unnecessary, but those occasions are rare.
Yes!!! Agree with you completely, our current state of affairs in the US (and probably elsewhere) – “spend/buy to keep the economy strong” seems so tone deaf considering the debt most people have. But the focus seems entirely on keeping the stock market healthy so the wealthy make MORE money, not on individuals or their best interests/helping them be their best selves.
Love this. Great read! I’m a believer in understanding your values and investing in those, not in everything. We focus on looking for second hand clothes first (we use thredup), making coffee at home, getting movies and books from the library, and enjoying the simple outdoors. This allows us to buy organic foods, and take a road trip every summer with our kids – both of which are super important to us. I believe living frugally isn’t about depriving. It’s about making choices. And those choices can open up the possibility for things you thought were out of your reach!
Brilliant article. So relevant and apt given the season of ‘overindulgent spending’. Loved it so much that I sent it to all my friends.
I feel like a millionaire every time I unpack my home-prepared lunch at the mall food court.
You take your home-made food to the mall food court and consume it there in public??????? Weird ….
Why is this weird? The food at the food court is total crap, if you are into being healthy. Why not pack a lunch? As for eating in the food court, why not? That’s where the tables and chairs are.
Why not pack a lunch and eat it at the food court? For the same reasons why you (hopefully!) don’t bring your own food to consume it in a coffee-shop or restaurant!!!
The tables and chairs there are for paying (!) customers (!!) of the food-shops/dept. (!!!)
Minimalism does not mean to get rid of good manners! What you do/suggest is not “frugal hedonism” but misbehavior!
Merry CHRISTmas, Jana! ;)
Don’t even try…she will never get it.
As someone who cannot have any sugar, sweetener, flour, wheat, etc, I bring my own food everywhere, even when I’m invited to someone’s home. It makes life easier for them because they don’t have to worry about making some food for me. The main thing is to enjoy each other’s company. The food is just a means to do that.
If I go to a mall and will be there for an extended period of time, I will bring my lunch, but will purchase a latte, coffee or a tea to be respectful. After all, the dining area is there for paying customers.
As someone who wanted to escape the rat race and 3 hours commuting a day 15 years ago this definitely makes sense! Worth looking at Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin – (written in 1993…) as hopefully this approach/philosophy will now be making sense to more and more people with busy lives.
Love this – as we RV the States full time, we definitely live this. We will forgo the cup of coffee out and the shelves stocked full of perservative-laden foods. We don’t go to every tourist trap and spend a ton of money on theme parks. But we DO explore parks all over the country, take in little seen, off the beaten path incredible views, and indulge in incredible local foods.
Because we keep our costs low, we DO allow for nice meals out on occasion, where we aren’t looking at pinching pennies, but really enjoy great local (and healthy) fare. It makes a huge difference. We spend less and end up taking in things many people overlook in our travels.
Thanks for sharing this post!
Ashley, you are living my dream (life goal)! One day I hope to do what you are doing. If I can find a job I can do remotely I would take to the road now and my ‘one day’ will become my reality.
We live a very frugal life, but I am now trying my hardest to live a more minimalist life. My husband is a bit of a hoarder, but so far we are doing well :)
Back when I was frugal but not minimalist I would save things just in case we might need them down the road. I found over the years of being clutter free that I ended up throwing out most of that useful? stuff anyway and never missing it.
Learned a lot from Y2K storage. Ending up costing us money because a lot of the foodstuff went bad. I love my free floor space and counter tops. Closets no longer packed with clothes never worn. Frugal works quite well with minimalist living.
Life is too short! within this short period they want to do everything. The Art of Frugal Hedonism is very contradiction in terms.
Learning to embrace a simpler life opens up a new world of pleasures. Less stuff to manage. Less debris to clutter our home. Less time cleaning. Less busyness. More time enjoying the birds that visit our backyard. More time for books, coffee, artwork and the serenity of a life well lived.
Simple, is GODS way to abundance in your heart…to enjoy the most important things in life. The lesser is the more…in many ways, the best there is to offer and enjoy. :-) :-) :-) Jackie “Love You’all”