Comment by Mimi:

Thank you for this post and for your blog. Your articles have been an immense help to my husband and I and you have helped us understand that frugality and simple living is not the do-without depressing life we had thought it was. We are new at this and we are being cautious in the life style changes we are making but we keep rereading your articles and you have no idea how much help you have given us. Thank-you thank-you thank-you!

Comment by Gene:

I have been wanting someone to say this. Thank you for this wonderful blog.

Comment by Bert:

I have a couple of friends who pride themselves on their frugality, and any time I buy something I find myself hiding it from them because they are always so disapproving. I’m very sensible with my money, I don’t spend it on foolish things, but sometimes I like to splash out on a new purchase — and I can afford to do this. I have savings and emergency funds and have money socked away for my retirement, but I also spend a little money now and again. So kudos for this post, it needed to be said.

Comment by Willow:

I agree with you! Joe Dominguez wrote in his book Your Money or Your Life about how one’s attitude toward money shouldn’t be one of obsession either for it or against it. Money is simply a tool. Loved this post!

Comment by Camille:

Shirley, you said: It’s true that stuff doesn’t make you happy, but it’s also true that lack of stuff doesn’t make you happy either… happiness must come from within.

You are so right – I’ve also noticed that the older I get (I’m pushing 53, though feel more like 35 most days), the less stuff I need in my life. I used to be a clothes fanatic, thinking that having a “perfect” wardrobe would make me feel good inside (how superficial that sounds now). I’ve found that with age comes happiness, something I would never have thought to be true when I was young. I think age makes you realize that you can just be yourself, and it’s ok!

Comment by trish:

I was thinking about that this past weekend. I took my son and his friends to the mall to a movie and after seeing a movie myself, I walked around the mall a bit and found I had no desire to buy ANYTHING. In the past, I would have shopped and bought something, thinking I was doing something nice for myself. After about 30 minutes, I sat on a bench, had a coffee and waited for them to finish. That’s when I realized the difference: I wasn’t denying myself anything, I just didn’t feel the need to spend money as some sort of “reward” just because I was at the mall.

Comment by Willow:

I’ve come back to add something I’ve been thinking about–people who live simple lives tend to have fewer BUT NICER things because they choose carefully what they want to own.

Comment by Jill:

Very encouraging post. I’ve wrestled with this issue a bit myself lately as I have started working on my bathroom. What started as the need to replace the shower has morphed into a complete redecorating project. At first I was a bit ashamed of myself for allowing it to go beyond the bare necessities. But I read this post, did some thinking on my own and came to the conclusion that a complete change in decor was OK since it’s been almost 9 years since anything has been done to that room and I am not taking on any additional debt to finance the changes I want to make. Plus, I am doing much of the work myself, so when I finally get it all done I’ll have the satisfaction and happiness that often comes with a DYI project.

Comment by Random Thoughts of a Jersey Mom:

I’ve just found your blog and find you very sensible. Many have an entirely too extreme view on what frugality is. We don’t buy “a lot” of things but what we have are good quality & durable goods.