White Orchid Melody

I find myself caught between two ideologies at times.  The simple living idea often walks hand in hand with frugality.  It is that aspect of simple living that gives me pause at times.  It isn’t that I want to be frivolous.  But to me, frugality often implies scarcity.  I strive for an abundance mentality.  I think the two can work together, but at times it is difficult to get my head around it.  For example, I believe that wanting prosperity goes hand in hand with being able to save money, as opposed to spending every dime that comes your way.  But I think there needs to be balance.  If you focus all your energy on cutting costs, you are focusing on the scarcity side of things.  If you think that five bucks is a lot of money, then you’re probably not ever going to have five million.  Perhaps the key lies in where you focus that mental energy.  If you focus on growing your wealth, watching the balance of your savings account climb, then you are focused on the positive.  I often find myself going over our finances in my head thinking, “where can I cut costs?”  Maybe I need to start focusing on ways to increase income instead.  When I think, “oh, my we really spent a lot eating out last month,” am I sabotaging our finances with negativity?  Am I giving that relatively small amount of money unnecessary weight?  Am I mentally telling myself that $200 is a lot of money?  What would happen if I decided that $200 was not a lot of money, just change?  It is really an interesting concept.  There is a blog here about just that.  It is definitely worth the read. 

The part of simple living that really appeals to me is the idea of discretion.  Choosing your path and the physical world around you, rather than just accepting what everyone says is needed.  I’m really enjoying having just one vehicle, for instance.  And it isn’t that we can’t “afford” a second vehicle (although why spend money if you don’t have to!), rather it is just easier.  We don’t have to discuss which vehicle we are taking when going somewhere; we just get in and go.  We don’t have to keep up with maintenance and taxes and such on two vehicles (on two different schedules, no less).  I like the idea of letting go of mindless consumerism to really choose how you spend your dollar, which in the end, is your life energy.  You spend so much of your time making money, shouldn’t you carefully consider how you are spending it? 

I think that is the key when considering frugality versus an abundance mentality.  You must spend with discretion, not because you have a shortage of money, but because you want to pay yourself well for your efforts.  Money in and of itself is meaningless.  Its value lies in that for which it can be exchanged.  Here again, it is helpful to know your values and what is important to you in life.  If you value adventure and travel, then why spend $75 a month on cable when you could save it towards a great trip?  And if you are focused on the goal, then you are in a positive mental state, attracting an abundance of positive energy.  So, I guess the bottom line is to spend more time looking at your savings or investment account statements than at your bills;  and choose to spend your money on what is really important to you.