The frugal living mindset isn’t about deprivation or counting pennies until your soul aches, it’s about freedom, intention, and changing how you think about money forever.
I didn’t always live frugally. I used to believe that being smart with money meant cutting out lattes, couponing for hours, or choosing the cheapest everything. But true frugality? It’s not about being cheap, it’s about being conscious. And once I understood that, my entire financial life shifted.
So in this post, I’m not going to tell you to reuse your Ziploc bags (although you totally can). I’m going to walk you through five mindset shifts that completely transformed the way I spend, and saved me thousands in the long run.
Let’s talk about the frugal living mindset, and how it changed my life.
1. I Don’t “Deserve” Things, I Choose Them
Oof. This one took me years to fully understand.
We live in a culture that sells us the idea that we deserve to treat ourselves… constantly. Bad day? New shoes. Long week? Spa day. Landed a job? Time to upgrade everything.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe in celebrating wins. But I had to unlearn the idea that I deserved to buy things just because I existed. That entitlement mindset wasn’t helping me build wealth or peace, it was helping me build credit card debt.
The shift? I replaced the word “deserve” with “choose.”
- I choose to spend $100 on dinner with a friend because connection is a priority.
- I choose not to buy that trending gadget, even though it’s 50% off, because it doesn’t align with my goals.
Frugal living isn’t saying no to everything, it’s saying yes with intention.
Years ago, I used to buy a new outfit every time I had an event or trip. I told myself, “I deserve to look good.” But once I asked myself, Do I really want to spend my money on a one-time outfit, or would I rather feel less financial stress later?… things shifted. Now, I rotate the same pieces. Nobody notices, and my savings account loves me for it.
2. New Isn’t Better, Useful Is Better
A few years back, I was embarrassed to admit how much of my spending was on “upgrades.” I had a perfectly good phone, but the new model came out, so I bought it. My car still ran fine, but I wanted something newer. My couch was comfy… but I wanted the Instagram version.
Sound familiar?
One day, a friend asked me, “Is it broken?” I said no. She said, “Then why are you replacing it?”
That stopped me in my tracks.
So now, I filter all purchases through this lens:
Does it solve a problem or just soothe a craving?
If I’m solving a real problem, great. But if I’m chasing “new” for the sake of novelty, that’s a clue.
Frugal living mindset belief:
Useful items don’t have to be new, trendy, or flashy. They just have to work.
Tips that help me stick to this:
- Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
- Shop secondhand first.
- Wait 30 days before any non-essential purchase. 90% of the time, I forget I even wanted the thing.
3. My Future Deserves More Attention Than My Impulses
This is probably the most transformative belief of all. Because let’s be honest, most financial regret comes from impulse.
One day I sat down and asked myself a simple question: What would it feel like to not be stressed about money anymore? I pictured future-me waking up without dread, checking her bank account without fear, and feeling genuinely free.
And I realized I wanted that freedom way more than I wanted overnight shipping or one more Amazon Prime order.
Now, when I pause before spending, I think:
- Will this help or hurt future me?
- Is this the best use of my time, energy, and money?
- Will I even care about this purchase in a week?
I once wanted to book a last-minute trip with friends. I hadn’t budgeted for it, and the cost would’ve eaten into my emergency fund. It stung to say no, but I reminded myself: this isn’t forever. Now I’ve got a travel fund set aside, and I get to say yes to travel without stress.
4. Simplicity Is the Real Flex
There’s this quiet power in choosing a simpler life. Not just in what you own, but how you spend your time, how you decorate your home, and how you define success.
I used to equate “more” with “better.” More decor, more subscriptions, more stuff meant I was doing well, right?
But I was overwhelmed. And cluttered. And still not content.
Then I read something that changed me: “Every item you bring into your home costs you something, not just money, but time, space, and attention.”
So now, I live by this belief:
Simple living leads to clearer priorities and a calmer mind.
What this looks like in real life:
- I canceled 5 subscription services I never used (hello, savings).
- I created a minimalist wardrobe that actually fits in one small closet.
- I stopped buying things “just in case” and started borrowing or getting creative.
And guess what? My space feels bigger, my days feel less rushed, and my budget finally breathes.
5. Small Wins Add Up Over Time
Frugal living doesn’t mean you go from spending $5,000 a month to $500 overnight. That’s not realistic, or fun.
But small, consistent wins? They’re powerful.
I used to believe saving money meant big sacrifices. But when I started tracking the tiny wins, it added up shockingly fast:
- Making coffee at home instead of buying it saved me $90/month.
- Meal prepping cut my takeout bill in half.
- Calling my insurance company for a lower rate saved $300/year.
These aren’t dramatic moves, but they compound. And more importantly, they built my confidence. Every small win reminded me: I can do this.
Don’t discount the power of doing one small smart thing every day.
The Frugal Living Mindset Is a Lifestyle, Not a Phase
Frugality isn’t about restriction. It’s about alignment.
It’s knowing where your money goes, how it serves you, and whether it reflects your real values. It’s the freedom to say yes, not just to stuff, but to life.
Today, I don’t miss my old spending habits. I don’t miss the clutter, the debt, or the stress. What I do have now is peace of mind, a growing savings account, and a lifestyle that feels on purpose.
And the best part? Anyone can start, right where they are.
Ready to Embrace the Frugal Living Mindset? Start Here:
If you’re ready to shift how you think and feel about spending, here are five starter actions to take this week:
- Track every dollar for one week, just observe, no judgment.
- Unsubscribe from marketing emails that tempt you to shop.
- Do a no-spend day or weekend just to see how it feels.
- Create a “joyful spending” list so your money aligns with what matters.
- Declutter one area of your home, it’s often the first step toward spending less.
Remember: frugal living isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being mindful, honest, and willing to make choices that serve your values.
And trust me, once you start, you’ll never want to go back.
What’s your favorite frugal living habit?
Or what’s one mindset shift you’re working on right now? I’d love to hear from you, drop a comment or shoot me a message.
You’ve got this.
With Love,
Bri and Cat
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