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TIME Magazine: The New Frugality
The cover of the latest issue of TIME states, "The recession has changed more than just how we live. It's changed what we value and what we expect - even after the economy recovers." Nancy Gibbs writes, "[W]e're stripping down and starting over. A platoon of Time reporters and pollsters fanned out to every corner of the country to measure--anecdotally and empirically--what's changed in the way we set our priorities and spend our money since the Great Recession began. Most people think the pain will be lasting and the effects permanent ... A consumer culture invites us to want more than we can ever have; a culture of thrift invites us to be grateful for whatever we can get. So we pass the time by tending our gardens and patching our safety nets and debating whether, years from now, this season will be remembered for what we lost, or all that we found." (Read more.)
Do you see a new frugality in your own life and in the lives of people you know? How has your lifestyle changed?
(Hat Tip: Mike Allen, Politico Playbook)
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Comments (10)
Josh - Yeah I have cut back in many areas and have had to learn to be frugal where I have not had to before. I am getting married on May 30 and the economy has definitely played a role in how we have had to budget and choose to spend money in planning the wedding and as have made decisions for our future.
Posted by Nathan Williams | April 17, 2009 11:57 AM
It seems more like we are moving back to how we should be living and are actually realizing that "stuff" will not make us happy. This recession is a blessing as it is forcing us to focus on the quality of our relationship with the Lord and our relationships with family and friends.
Posted by Bob B. | April 17, 2009 12:25 PM
One major way we've changed is in how we celebrate special occasions. In the next few weeks my beautiful bride and I will celebrate our anniversary, my wifes birthday and, my wifes first mothers day. This will look a whole lot different then I desired and is deeply painful.
It eats away at the root of manhood not being able to provide "properly" for your wife and child. I realize my definition of "properly" is not based on God's Word but on cultural ideals that have dried up and blown away. However, it's difficult to align head and heart in the matter.
Posted by Andy | April 17, 2009 1:24 PM
Oh yes, everyone I know seems to be making major changes in their lifestyle...which I think is great.
My husband and I have used a fine tooth comb on our budget and found almost two thousand dollars extra a month(extra cell phone gone, cable gone, lower heat setting in the winter, homemade haircuts, I fought for lower property taxes when they over prices our rental unit, homemade laundry soap and a few other odds and ends)! Amazing!
My husband has not lost his job and is still keeping the same salary, but it feels like anything is possible, so let's be prepared!
Intresting article...thanks for sharing!
Heather
Posted by Heather (Paulsen) Patenaude | April 17, 2009 3:15 PM
It seems to me that everyone is talking about cutting back, but I still don't see it. I work part-time at Sbux and it seems like our business is better than ever. To me, I would think that if the country is cutting back, luxury items, such as fu-fu coffee would be out. Maybe, this is just the economy here in Kentucky?
Posted by Chad Mondragon | April 17, 2009 3:19 PM
My husband and I have been married for 15 years and have 5 kids. Although he has had a good job, we have been living frugally since we got married. We have evaluated our lifestyle and have kept things the same. The only thing we have changed is that we feel that we need to be extra generous with others.
Posted by Ruth | April 17, 2009 4:23 PM
I've been writing a blog about "living with less" for almost three years.
These past few months I've been receiving an amazing amount of e-mails from people wanting to know how they can life what I call "off the economic grid".
There are people out there who have no skills about cooking at home, shopping used, etc. I feel God is taking all the "bad" circumstances we have gone through and is using me to teach others what I've learned.
This is an amazing opportunity for Christians to minister to the world.
Posted by Brenda@Coffeeteabooksandme | April 17, 2009 7:53 PM
Only change i've seen is people have stopped thinking i'm foolish for all my frugal ways. Now i'm a genius!
Posted by Becky | April 18, 2009 12:28 PM
I wish to thank Oprah Winfrey for a series of programs she began in 2007 which asked viewers and listeners to really think about their purpose and what made them satisfied with their lives. A lot of emphasis was placed on one's own spirituality, but her shows also explored the subjects of finances, credit, hoarding, obsessive shopping, keeping up with the Jones, indulging children, clutter -- basically all the overindulging we had been doing on cheap credit. Bottom line: what do you NEED to be happy? Oprah and her guests created a path for those of us who were looking for a simpler, debt-free, more fulfilled life. I am glad I paid attention.
Posted by Sue | April 21, 2009 12:10 PM
I've been frugal for a long time, but yeah, it's weird how popular frugality is these days. I almost feel normal! lol
Posted by Kristen@The Frugal Girl | April 29, 2009 11:22 AM