Frugality

[Letum]

This post is rated for Non-Political.


Lets start with a nice example of frugality (just because I like it ):

The story goes that Diogenes of Sinope lived in a barrel in Athens with only a
lantern and a bowl. When he saw a beggar eat corn from his hands; Diogenes
threw away his bowl because he did not need it.
Diogenes spent time with the great philosophers of the time and had a
philosophical following himself.
One day, as Diogenes sat in the sun out side his barrel, the emperor Alexander The
Great approached him and asked Diogenes if there was anything he could do for
him. Diogenes said "yes, stand aside, your are blocking the sun".

Diogenes may have been a wild eccentric, but the idea of the frugal life is one that plays a part in every major religion and is usually something that is respected in some way by people regardless of religion and it is something that interests me.
Of course it is also something that the corporate world fights against. A shopping center full of zen monks makes no money!

What do you guys think?
Is there something inherently good about a frugal life?
Is there a kind of spiritual contentedness that can only be found when the material is cast aside?
Is frugality just a kind of laziness that forces other people to work harder?
At what point does frugality become neglect?
Do the frugal miss out on important parts of life? or conversely, do the wealthy miss out on important parts of life?

Perhaps this is a strange topic for a subsim forum, but take it as you will!

[Tchocky]

Non-working visa + limited savings = Frugality

:P

[Letum]

Originally Posted by Tchocky

Non-working visa + limited savings = Frugality

:P

I don't think it is quite the same if it is not what you want! :P

[Tchocky]

True! I'd write a proper answer, but I'm feeling snide and obtuse.....maybe later

[Heibges]

"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." Janis Joplin

You can be hard working and still be frugal.

I think it is best if "things" don't make you happy.

I pity folks who have to drive or live in a monument to themselves.

Look at how marketing took over the hippies in the 60's. Pretty soon there was even a hippy deoderant.

[fatty]

I exercise frugality insofar as I don't ever spend more than I have and I usually budget very carefully. I've mapped out my next two years of university and as long as I subtract X amount from each paycheck and put it into my savings I will not go into ANY debt. Anything left over is good for whatever. I don't usually like to buy "extravagances" like flashy clothes, but I did just buy a new camera as photography is a hobby I enjoy very much. So I do put a lot of thought and research into big purchases.

Having a girlfriend means I sometimes have to throw caution to the wind, but I'm not afraid to just put my foot down and say "I can't afford that." I'm lucky enough to be with someone who understands and appreciates that, I think.

EDIT: Of course, he misses out on things. But so do those who indulge themselves, albeit they miss different things. It's just a different perspective, s'all.

[SUBMAN1]

An NP thread? The horror!!!

Anyway, I think he did miss out on a lot of life by his choosen way to live the way he did. It is similar to me to putting ones self into a box that he would have no capability to get out of nor the means. Just my thoughts on it.

-S

[Letum]

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

An NP thread? The horror!!!

Anyway, I think he did miss out on a lot of life by his choosen way to live the way he did. It is similar to me to putting ones self into a box that he would have no capability to get out of nor the means. Just my thoughts on it.

-S

Jesus lived frugal live, abstaining from wealth despite having the means to acquire it.
Do you think he lived in such a box?

[Tchocky]

Originally Posted by Letum

Jesus lived frugal live, abstaining from wealth despite having the means to acquire it.
Do you think he lived in such a box?

Nah, he was in box construction

[CCIP]

I grew up in a very poor, hard-working family.

People who grow up in very poor, hard-working families have two paths, given proper opportunity:
1) They become hyper-efficient and advance way way up, beating out any competitors with sheer determination
2) They grow used to having little and enjoying the heck out of it, and live a quiet life without ambition (cause it could always be worse)

I'm very much a #2 :p

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Tchocky

Nah, he was in box construction

Pretty much, being a carpenter.

Letum - And I think you have two versions of frugality here. I guess to have a proper discussion, you would need to define where the borders are. This guy living in a barrel was in a much poorer state. Do I have a point?

-S