Reviving Frugality

I'm necessarily remembering financial rules/tests I used to employ fairly stringently but about which I've become far too lax:

• would I rather buy X now or pass up 10 X's for a Y later?
  
• can I obtain X or a suitable substitute more cheaply another way?
  
• should I pay that much for a restaurant meal I could make at home?
  
• only allowed 1 luxury item at the grocery store (that includes anything with little or no nutritional value or many items for which there are cheaper or more healthful alternatives, such as fresh salmon vs. frozen or artisan bread vs. whole grain)
  
• again with groceries, if it's not on sale, it's not an option, unless you specifically need it for a recipe or it's a needed, basic staple (milk, cereal, bread, etc)
  
• never purchase on impulse: if you didn't come looking for it, walk away, and if you remember it later, and it still seems like a good/wise purchase, consider buying it (anything over $50 requires sleeping on it--no same-day purchase if it wasn't planned)
  
• if you don't have cash from your last paycheck to back up the purchase, put the credit card away and move on
  
• make a budget and stick to it, putting excess in savings or using some for special occasions (a monthly occurrence, however, wouldn't be considered "special" but would be part of the budget)
  
• never shop without a specific goal, and don't deviate from the list
  
• you may love that sweater, but do you need another sweater? Remember that some people are fortunate to have warm clothing at all, let alone being concerned with what kind of "variety" they have. Just keep it in mind.
  
• it may be an amazing deal, but unless you wanted it (or would want it) at regular price and were waiting for a sale, pass it up. If it's a rare find at a really good price, fine, but if it's just another find at a pretty decent price, that's no reason to spend money you could be saving for something else.
  
• come up with ideas of things to do socially which don't require spending money, so you don't have to choose between spending money and staying in all day. If your friends are big spenders, either propose alternatives, join them after they've spent, or buy appetizers instead of meals, help them shop but don't buy for yourself, arrange to hang out with cheapskate friends on the nights the big spenders are at expensive concerts, etc.
  
• if you had no friends or family to stay with or help you out, could you survive on your own for several months out of a job? Wouldn't you rather be able to help others whenever you want?
  
• Which do you want more: this item/food/concert/clothing/service, or financial freedom?

I'm sure there are others I can add as I think of them, but this is a start to get me thinking along frugal lines again, which goodness knows I need to do. I probably won't re-adopt the more hard-and-fast rules so strictly, but I'll swing the pendulum firmly back in that direction. Aside from the financial necessity of it, there really is something to be said for not longing for "more", being happy with what you have and where you are, and for exercising restraint for longer-term security.

On a related note, while I don't think of myself as a very materialistic person, and I'm disgusted by the rampant consumerism I've observed in Utah, I do find myself spending far too casually and losing some perspective in the process. The exchange of goods and services and money, while a necessary tool in our society, is meaningless except as it relates to people, relationships, and personal growth. There's no need to feel guilty for having financial security, but it's a truly beautiful thing when you're able to be happy with what you have, recognize the difference between needs and luxuries, truly appreciate luxuries as luxuries and not as entitlements, and be confident life would not lose all savor and richness if you suddenly had no money to spend.

Relationships and personal growth, not gratification and "stuff", are what I believe bring real happiness. It's hard to keep sight of that, perhaps, when you're not sure where you'll live next month, or you're at risk of losing your home, car, or savings, or you're accustomed to high standards of professional craftsmanship or artistry in your furnishings, food, clothing, or cultural events. But I think it's easy to remember when you are with good friends and family and realize it doesn't really matter what you're doing together.

Admittedly, even though money doesn't buy happiness, financial security greatly reduces stress. There's a lot of stress in losing financial stability and dealing with knowing that your family is having to make severe adjustments because you didn't establish financial stability. And I can only imagine what it's like to wonder whether your kids will have to leave their beloved home, or change schools and move away from friends, or stop taking piano lessons, or not get dental work done because you lost a job or accumulated unnecessary debt. Yes, people with crooked, infected teeth who don't have the means to pursue every interest and move from place to place and live in shacks can be happy too, and it's important to remember that, but I'd like to avoid having to make my decisions (and my possible future family's) out of compulsion as the result of my lack of planning and foresight. If I/we move, or refuse medical treatment, or forgo opportunities for learning and developing talents, I want it to be because I/we think it best or consider it a positive change, not because I/we have no other choice.

I think it's time I started thinking beyond today again and work towards financial independence and security. OK...so...right...here I go...aw crap, this is gonna be easier said than done, isn't it?