What is truly necessary? A guide to living frugal

An ongoing quest for me, and one that I am renewing this year, is to eliminate all that is unnecessary from my life. Now, you might read this and think that I am cutting everything fun from my life, but that’s not true. Let me explain.

The first question in this quest, of course, is what does “necessary” mean? We must first examine what things are necessary … and the first question in this examination is … necessary for what? What is the true aim? My answer, which will be different than others, is “necessary for a happy life.”

This definition, then, would include many things besides the basics of clothing, shelter and food. I might not need a good relationship with my wife in order to survive, but it is necessary for me to be happy in life (I’ve found). Same thing with my kids. To be happy, I must develop a good relationship with them, make them happy, and spend time with them.

But that doesn’t mean that anything I do with them counts as necessary. I can be happy with my children just by going to a free park — I don’t need to buy them things all the time, or go costly entertainment (like movies, the mall, or waterparks).

Similarly, we need to eat, but we don’t need to eat junk food. True, you might say that sweets, or french fries, make you happy. Well, that’s the key to this whole exercise: do you really need something to be happy? And even more, do you need it on a daily basis, or can it be an occasional treat?

Coffee and chocolate are two recent examples for me. I love both. A lot. But I am addicted to them (because of the caffeine), and that makes me want them more than I really need them to be happy. So I am trying to cut them out, at least for now. I think later, after I kick the habit, I can indulge in those things as a treat, once in awhile, without lapsing into addiction.

Other things I can cut out (except as treats):

Going to movies (I rarely do this anymore)
Sweets, like pastries or baked goods or candies (rarer now, but still a MAJOR temptation)
toys (gizmos and gadgets that are a lot of fun, but not necessary - like an mp3 player)
new books (I try to buy used now, or trade em)
eating out (have been trying to cut back, but still lapse more than I should)

And some things that I need to think hard about:

cable internet (I have this at work — it’s nice at home, but I’m not sure if it’s necessary)
cell phone (I don’t NEED it too much — it’s convenient, but it’s rare that I really need it)

On the whole, I’ve cut out a lot already, and I’m very happy with the simplicity I’ve created so far. I have a lot more to do, but it’s the process that I enjoy, not the end product.

Some recent posts on this topic elsewhere:

See also:

What is truly necessary? A guide to living frugal

Other things I can cut out (except as treats):

Going to movies (I rarely do this anymore)
Sweets, like pastries or baked goods or candies (rarer now, but still a MAJOR temptation)
toys (gizmos and gadgets that are a lot of fun, but not necessary - like an mp3 player)
new books (I try to buy used now, or trade em)
eating out (have been trying to cut back, but still lapse more than I should)

And some things that I need to think hard about:

cable internet (I have this at work — it’s nice at home, but I’m not sure if it’s necessary)
cell phone (I don’t NEED it too much — it’s convenient, but it’s rare that I really need it)

On the whole, I’ve cut out a lot already, and I’m very happy with the simplicity I’ve created so far. I have a lot more to do, but it’s the process that I enjoy, not the end product.

Some recent posts on this topic elsewhere:

See also:

Posted on 28 January 2007 in Simplicity |
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Comments (10)

Kelly Bejelly Says:

January 24th, 2007, 11:15 am

Thanks for the mention. We’re getting rid of our cable in a month and I am dreading it but, it’s necessary.

Leo Babauta Says:

January 24th, 2007, 14:53 pm

I’ve been without cable for a few years now, and I don’t miss it at all. When I go to someone else’s house, I tend to watch their cable if they are, and I know it’s addicting, but I also realize that if I had it at home I’d be watching it all the time.

Give up cable, and after awhile, you won’t miss one bit! It’s like giving up any addiction, I think. I don’t miss cigarettes after quitting more than a year ago (well, once in awhile I get an urge, but it’s no longer a daily craving).

dePriest Says:

May 24th, 2007, 22:29 pm

I wish I could get my better half to give up his all-channels-possible cable habit. That would save us at least $130 a month.

Marcus Says:

May 24th, 2007, 23:39 pm

I’ve started using the library for books and just not visiting Best Buy and Circuit City to keep from buying gadgets. I wish there was a way to just subscribe to the shows I like rather than buying a cable package.

Debbie Says:

May 27th, 2007, 17:31 pm

For my TV fix I use a computer monitor and Netflix. If a TV show is really good, I’ll hear about it and it will become available on DVD. This was especially handy for “Firefly” which we got to watch in the proper order as well as with no commercials. Other advantages are that you can watch whenever you want or put off watching things, and you never get sucked into what’s coming on next.

Katya Says:

June 14th, 2007, 2:51 am

Hello from New Zealand. This is my first visit to ZenHabits and Feel as if I am in a rip. I would appreciate some help in finding my way around here! I am a raw food eater and I get up most mornings about 4.30am in the summer and other times of year I sleep in accordance with the rhythms of nature…that is I rise at dawn or just before all year. I do not use an alarm clock as I wake up naturally. If I could choose, I would go to bed at dark but that just isn’t practical in the winter months. I certainly feel(know) that artificial light puts a strain on the head (brain). I can feel that sensation now(18.30-midwinter here). After about 16.30 my body starts to shut down and is ready for sleep. If I was on my own I would do just that .During the year when it is above freezing I bicycle out to the beach( 13 miles away) on the South Pacific Ocean to greet the sun and sunrise. I meditate , pray , sing . and celebrate life and the dawn .It is impossible to tell you what its like- its beyond words and is a soul thing. I think that I have sent this to the wrong part of the site. Could the power that be please put it in the right spot.. Thanks .Love, peace and greetings from Katya

Helene K Says:

July 3rd, 2007, 15:13 pm

Freecycle.org!! What you don’t want, give away to someone who does. What you want, get from others who have finished using theirs…. I have a 13 month son and have not purchased many clothes or toys for him as other neighbors in my area have pared down their clutter, to his benefit. When I’m finished with something, or as he continues to outgrow all his clothes, I pass them onto other neighbors. It’s good for you, and it’s good for our landfill, check it out.

Another example, for books: Bookcrossing.com. Once you’ve read them, do you really want to keep them? Pass them on!

John Says:

July 22nd, 2007, 13:22 pm

Get a HDTV with ATSC tuner and you can get local channels for free over the air and in HD for those channels offering it. I have been doing this for months. It’s great!!!

emma Says:

August 1st, 2007, 12:05 pm

another alternative for books is bookmooch.com

You list the books you want to give away, receive points if anyone wants to “mooch” them and with your points you can mooch books from others. It’s great!

rainbird Says:

December 26th, 2007, 13:41 pm

A wonderful book on this subject — more a philosophical look at living frugally, than a hands-on, itemized ToDo list (but still many good, concrete examples) — is “Possum Living”. A websearch generally turns up a free online library (out of Australia, I believe), that provides free pdf copies of its books for personal use. The book is generally available elsewhere online, for free, as well.