Frugalism
I've been looking around the web over the last while in an attempt to get an overview of the type of people who are attracted to simple living and and it appears that there are lots - and for lots of different reasons. There are appears, however, to be two main ideological poles to which people seem to be attracted: ideas of frugality (what I'll call "frugalism") and ideas of simplicity ("simpleness").
It would appear (and most of my evidence for this comes from american websites) that the notion of frugality is embraced by the political right while simplicity seems to attract a more left leaning following.
At the far end of the frugalist spectrum are survivalists those who advocate a complete self-sufficiency from the State either as a precaution against an impending Armageddon or a complete distrust in institutional government. In some ways these survivalists share a lot in common with those on the far left who reject institutions and are inspired to live as self-sufficently as possbile. However, while most left-leaning adherents of the simple life, do so out of ecological or other ethical concerns, the frugalists tend to be more concerned with looking after number one.
Slightly less hardcore than the survivalists - and a substantial presence, it would appear, on the web - are the "tightwads". Essentially sites that glorify parsimony and thriftiness to a quite amazing degree. Here the emphasis is on frugality as an economic strategy - you'll become a millionaire more quickly if you stop spending. In its most blatant manifestation this is just plain miserliness. Again the emphasis is on maximising personal material wealth.
There also appear to be several frugalist sites which extoll the religious virtue of thrift. The purpose of thrift is seen as an essential part of an orderly, disciplined life. It's something I can sympathise with - up to a point, anyway.
Towards the centre of the frugal side of the frugal/simple spectrum lie those site who are aimed at people in debt and which give tips and advice on implementing a frugal lifestyle as a means of overcoming debt or living within a limited budget. These seem to have little in the way of an organised political or philosphical agenda.
Frugalism most defining characteristic, for me, is it's lack of altruistic motivation. That is not to say that all those who aim to live a frugal life for the personal financial benefits it brings are selfish - how much can you really think of others when you haven't enough to feed yourself? Living a life with less, however, has so many more benefits than the financial!
It would appear (and most of my evidence for this comes from american websites) that the notion of frugality is embraced by the political right while simplicity seems to attract a more left leaning following.
At the far end of the frugalist spectrum are survivalists those who advocate a complete self-sufficiency from the State either as a precaution against an impending Armageddon or a complete distrust in institutional government. In some ways these survivalists share a lot in common with those on the far left who reject institutions and are inspired to live as self-sufficently as possbile. However, while most left-leaning adherents of the simple life, do so out of ecological or other ethical concerns, the frugalists tend to be more concerned with looking after number one.
Slightly less hardcore than the survivalists - and a substantial presence, it would appear, on the web - are the "tightwads". Essentially sites that glorify parsimony and thriftiness to a quite amazing degree. Here the emphasis is on frugality as an economic strategy - you'll become a millionaire more quickly if you stop spending. In its most blatant manifestation this is just plain miserliness. Again the emphasis is on maximising personal material wealth.
There also appear to be several frugalist sites which extoll the religious virtue of thrift. The purpose of thrift is seen as an essential part of an orderly, disciplined life. It's something I can sympathise with - up to a point, anyway.
Towards the centre of the frugal side of the frugal/simple spectrum lie those site who are aimed at people in debt and which give tips and advice on implementing a frugal lifestyle as a means of overcoming debt or living within a limited budget. These seem to have little in the way of an organised political or philosphical agenda.
Frugalism most defining characteristic, for me, is it's lack of altruistic motivation. That is not to say that all those who aim to live a frugal life for the personal financial benefits it brings are selfish - how much can you really think of others when you haven't enough to feed yourself? Living a life with less, however, has so many more benefits than the financial!
posted by voluntarysimpleton at 10:48 AM
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