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Are you speaking for real or is the title of this article an oxymoron?
How could anyone be happy denying themselves all of life's pleasures
and being frugal?
Take a moment to read the quote below:
The three grand essentials of happiness are: something
to do, someone to love, and something to hope for.
- Alexander Chalmers, Scottish writer
How does one tie happiness and frugality together? For me, the key to
happiness in a life of constant frugality is having a goal, a purpose,
a hope. My long-term hope is a debt free life. No credit card bills
(check), no car payment (check) and no mortgage (no check).
Paying off the mortgage is the toughest one and it takes time. For an
impatient person who wants results now, it can be the most difficult.
It is usually the last goal of most people, as well.
To keep me on track, I establish short-term hopes that I strive for on
a quarterly or semi-annual basis. Travel is my love and I live cheap
to fund my love for travel. It's a time for my family and I to get
away, forget about the worries and the cares of making a living and
enjoy some quality time relaxing in a tropical paradise of some sort.
Sure I could put that money on my mortgage, but then I'd start to lose
hope and probably give up my quest for financial freedom.
What do you hope for? What makes you happy? You can have it. But work
for it and don't go into debt for it.
It may take a lifetime to achieve all your hopes. So enjoy the
journey. You'll only take this trip called "Life" once.
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