"Give what you have to somebody; it may be better than you think.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Reflection:
I read in an article about “frugality fatigue" and how people were recovering from that. But my question is, "How did frugality become a problem from which to recover?" I thought it was a positive character quality—a partner with generosity and selflessness.
Frugality might have a bad name because some confuse it with stinginess. Being stingy is being cheap, hoarding what you have for personal enjoyment. Frugality is being careful with what you have, stretching it to its maximum, so you can have something left over to share with others. Stinginess is repulsive. Frugality is attractive. Stinginess screams "It's all about me." Frugality whispers, "The needs of others matter more than my wants."
I have been living below my means, and giving money away rather than spending it on myself for more than 50 years. Funny, though, I'm not a bit tired! The opposite has been my experience. It energizes me to give part of myself—represented by my resources—to others. Giving money away rather than spending it on myself has not worn me out; it's given me an emotional boost.
Frugality, producing generosity, won't wear you out, it will energize you. Why not try it?