If the positive response I have gotten to my few money saving posts is any indication, I’d say it is clear we are all interested in learning and sharing ways to make the most of our dollars right now.  In this current economy it isn’t enough to simply shop for cheap auto insurance or more wisely invest the $3 per day that we ordinarily spend on Starbucks.  We need a lifestyle change.

When we think of “lifestyle” change we often use words like “simplify”, “gratefulness”, and “abundance”.  We look in the mirror and say good things to ourselves and wish well for self and the world.  With “lifestyle change” we associate eating better, exercising, and loving life” but not often enough is the word “frugal” mentioned.

A favorite frugal blogger of mine wrote…

Most people who live a frugal lifestyle by choice, do so because they want more control over their lives.

Living frugally means using intelligence and creativity.  A frugal life is one where you are able to save more of what you earn, grow more of what you eat, and spend less on what you need.  Frugal living is not ‘perfecting the art of doing without’, as one friend put it – it is about being smart with what you’ve got and using things to your best advantage.

I realized “frugal” doesn’t necessarily mean “cheap.” And that embracing frugality didn’t have to be a negative thing, admitting that I was suddenly not as financially comfortable as I had been or would like to be. Living frugal is a choice made to gain control over my finances, not an act of desperation.  It wasn’t easy getting that through my thick head and learning those first practical and easy ways of saving money, but I did eventually start to experience the joy in taking control of aquiring what I need, rather than feeling deprived over what I don’t have. I am so glad the switch finally flipped for me.

Do you have a favorite money saving/frugal blog? Or are you a frugal blogger? Please tell us about it and maybe I’ll include it in a future post.