Trends come and go (quiet quitting, anyone?), but one trend that I hope will stick around is frugal living. Younger generations are increasingly embracing frugal lifestyles, and are making headlines by doing so. Perhaps this mentality was born out of necessity (due to stagnant wages, high levels of debt, expensive housing options, etc.), or perhaps it sprung from a desire to live a bit more sustainably. Whatever the case, frugal living is an admirable goal, as long as it’s not taken too far.

To me, there’s a definite line between living within your means and denying yourself even the smallest pleasure or splurge (going to a concert, enjoying a dinner out). This isn’t about being miserable and feeling deprived—it’s about appreciating what you have, living modestly, and making wise choices as a consumer.

At the heart of frugal living is gratitude. When you’re grateful for everything you have, you are content. You aren’t constantly thinking about buying a bigger TV, a newer car, or the latest trendy wardrobe. You won’t be overly jealous of your neighbor’s new boat or your friend’s designer shoes. Instead, you’ll focus on what you have and practice being satisfied with it.

There’s nothing wrong with occasionally treating yourself, of course (especially if it’s within your means), but it’s hard to go through life if you’re never satisfied. However, if you start thinking about everything you have—both material and non—I’m certain you have a lot more than you realized. Think about the friends and family members who love you, the roof over your head, the food in your refrigerator, and the fact you are able to read this article right now (not everyone in the world can read, and not everyone has access to the internet). These are all blessings we often take for granted.

During this month of gratitude and Thanksgiving, let’s practice being satisfied and living frugally. Let’s say thank you more often, think about the abundance we have, and appreciate the supportive people in our lives. Some people may choose to take this mentality a step further and keep a “gratitude journal,” so they can count their blessings on paper. Others might focus on simplifying their lives by getting rid of things they don’t need–all the clutter that takes up both mental and physical space.

Gratitude often starts with being thankful for what you have. When you make an effort to appreciate your life in its current state, you start to realize that, even though life isn’t always perfect, you have a lot to be grateful for.

THANK YOU for reading!

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