Contrary to some beliefs, frugality is not synonymous with stinginess but is in fact a lifestyle choice based on the notion of basic necessities and non-indulgence in excess.
The basic necessities of human-beings are small in number, but they are critical for the existence and survival of all of us, no matter who we are or where we’re from. They are:
Water
Food
Clothing
Shelter
Family
The list is self-explanatory. Water, food, clothing and shelter vary in cost around the world but to fulfil our needs, wherever we are, the amount needed is little. It is possible to live with only a few items of clothing, washing them continually when they get dirty in order to maintain cleanliness. A small meal a day can suffice for survival as can small amounts of water. Shelter can be found through cheap accommodation, and the love of a family is free.
Frugality does not entail miserliness; just because a human being can survive on a meal a day does not mean frugal people cannot eat two or three. Frugality simply means excesses are not considered. Thus, one many eat three meals a day, but they will never overeat or become gluttonous. Similarly, a frugal person may choose to live in nice accommodation, but will not be too excessive in their desires, decorating their house with pure gold furniture and gold-leaf wallpaper! A nice, clean apartment is a luxury in itself and this will be enough for a frugal person, without the need to become excessive in its fitting out.
The critical element to frugality is therefore not being materialistic. Meeting needs is enough. Meeting needs in a comfortable way is fine, but being overly concerned with material aspects – such as elaborate house-decorations or expensive Michelin-starred meals – is no longer meeting needs but entering into a world of desires, excesses, pride and arrogance. This is harmful to the self, and causes negative emotions not just by a person but also directed towards them by others.
The principle of frugality also means that its proponents do not spend as others do, and thus have more of their income available to be saved or, as the doctrine naturally leads on to, to spending this money in charitable endeavours. In other words, excess money frugal people find themselves with after meeting their basic needs is able to be used to spend on other people…in order to help them to meet their most basic needs.
Aya Khan 