A New Beginning

I liked the sound of the new word. But, it wasn't really a new word. It had been first introduced in 2004, but never gained in popularity until this past year when it seemed to better fit the times.

A frugalista is defined as a person who lives a frugal lifestyle but stays fashionable and healthy. It appears to be a feminine word, but it could be non-gender. i.e. I am in frugalista mode. It is also non-age specific. It seems to fit everyone from the tofu-munching college student to the fashion-conscious grandma. Frugal is the new black: it is popular by demand, and, for many of us, a necessary life choice.

A few weeks ago, I decided to embark on my own frugalista journey. This is my first full year as a retiree, and I feel the need to make a number of changes in my life. My teacher pension is a very comfortable one, but it is fixed income, and I need to become more aware and conscious of my everyday choices.

Being frugal is so much more than just saving money. It's also about not wasting valuable resources and time. I want to spend my time--and my life--in such a way that I continually enhance my physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual health.