Depends on the person. Some live to have the latest and greatest. Spend thousands on experiences,travel the world, have expensive pieces of art,jewellery, I am sure this lifestyle is pleasant for them. Personally I have few items I truly value and they have great sentimental value or things I have saved for,gone without to have. I am happy,I have a roof over my head,people who care about me. That's what makes me happy. If I lived beyond my means,purchased items for instant gratification,and had the constant worry of how I would pay off credit cards and debt I would be miserable,so I choose not to live that way.

money won't buy happiness, we are told, but I'd still like to try it...

Yes I think so

In my opinion, If the frugality lead to big savings, then I would say yes.

Never worried about thinking about this.

Actually, have often thought frugal people smart but often money-challenged (shall we say).

less money equals less worries

Even the wealthy are known to live frugally and be quite happy.

I think people that leave beyond their means are extremely stressed. If you mean leaving frugal is living within your means where you save some money, have enough money for bills and also get to spend money within your budget without guilt, then I agree.

Living frugally doesn't necessarily mean people are tight - they just don't see the sense in buying something they don't really need that's just going to sit in the corner and never be used - like kids want everything they see but once they get it it's just discarded because they want something else they haven't got.

Yes, I hate spending money. I enjoy saving it!

At the moment it’s hard and I do tend to go without but then I am happy to take my grandies out bowling and lunch or the pictures.

Depends whether it is from choice or necessity a lot of older people are doing it hard at the present time and then the richidiots in parliament insult us with a $4.60 a fortnight increase (as someone said it might buy a toilet roll but then we probably wont need one as we cant afford to eat) would be nice to have the occasional treat without worrying if you can afford it.

I think they are.We re constanly looking for sales and clearance and only get what we need. It's the thrill of saving.We hardly ever go to Burger King or any other place unless we are blessed with gift cards.

I am frugal out of necessity not choice . I am not sure if I would call myself happier for it but I know I would be less happy if I didn't pay all my bills on time and have enough money for food.

Some are, and some aren't! I'm frugal but not always happy. Saving money makes me happy, but I'm not happy that I still can't afford to rent a better place to live.

I think perhaps to some point, I live kind of frugally, I watch my pennies. But sometimes it does leave me a little sad, because I would really like to buy or do something special for myself. We can't take it with us. But I have to admit, I feel more secure knowing I can pay my bills.

YES, YES YES AND YES. We are

I would say I'm slightly more frugal than many I know. I certainly don't spend time trying to work out what's best but I feel good about what I am doing and it certainly wasn't a brain storming process. Although I did live out of my fridge, freezer and pantry for a while, I found I was wasting money of purchases when it came on special and didn't need it anyway.

Both EXTREMES are bad I say. I have a friend who is quite well off who is always telling me I am "wasting" money when I meet a friend for coffee and a chat - yet at the same time is always complaining about something. Everyone has their own way of being happy. I love to meet friends for coffee and I am sticking with it. My MISERABLE friend with all his money CAN KEEP IT.

no

Putting it like that, it's a very valid point, less stress about money makes anyone happier

All the "frugals" I've ever known certainly did not appear to be very happy. Why not just call them "mean and stingey".

It depends on the individual's background and priorities.

In my experiences absolutely they are happier

Yes they are....

For me yes as stuff never makes you happy. Family and good true friends makes life better

I can’t afford to answer this question!

I am a frugal person and I am quite happy. Alright, I may not have enough money all the time but you learn to live within your limits.

I always watch what i spend my money on, only buy what i need not what i what if that is frugal i am fine with that title

I have always been careful with my money. I don’t think of it as penny pinching. It is just being sensible. And I have always been sensible.

I’m also of the mind that ‘happiness comes from within’ living one’s life with Gratitude 🙏 and with Joy in everything you do, attracts happiness and abundance!

Yes and no for some people because it depends on what you want in your life, to be filthy rich and have no money worries or be frugal and have a simple lifestyle but with less luxuries... The choice is yours but it doesn't make a person any happier than the next.

If they are frugal, they are achieving their goals. Therefor they are happy.

Even filthy rich are not happy. All they want is more please and don’t care who they trample on to get it. They are in for a very rude shock when they discover no ATMs outside of earth. So all their riches won’t count for zero. All it does is make relies rich or stock market over crazy

People will be happier if that's how they feel. It doesn't matter whether you lead a frugal or lavish life. It's all a matter of your perspective. An example of this in action is a film called "a day in the life of ivan denisovich", about a guy in a concentration camp on the gulag archipeligo in Russia. Some people see it as depressing because of the awful conditions he lives in. Others see it as uplifting because he celebrates the small moments of simple joy in his life, whether it's getting some extra food or an extra blanket.

Definitely. I proudly say that I am a frugal person

Not as happy as rich people.~!!!

Yes Natalia happy Easter

I always buy my way out of trouble. Simple.

To me living frugally is a way of life and does not reflect happiness or sadness.I believe that happiness is a state of mind and has very little to do with your financial situation.Some people can feel happy and content with huge mortgages and car loans etc ,while others are quite content and happy with what they are dealt.Myself personally have every reason to be unhappy after working hard all my life only to be sprayed with chemicals and becoming a quadruplegic, but that is not the case,because happiness comes from within,and i am now content with the hand that i have been dealt

I guess it depends on what you're used to, there are very happy rich people and very happy frugal people. I'm not happy as I want to be rich.

If they have been frugal from the begining and are content with their lifestyle, yes.

Whatever frugal means. To me it is living rent/mortgage free and NO debt, that is happiness as no financial worries, ever!

Whatever floats your boat. It's nice to know that there are more people out there that have jumped off the capitalism tread mill. Good for you.

Yes living frugally, which really means looking after the Pence and Cents wholst the Pounds and Dollars look after themselves, can make for a much happier life. One of the problems with being wealthy is that once organisations or people have made lots of money they want even more. Check out the Moasaic Religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam! Their wealth is obscene and they do nothing with it and only want more and more and then some more. One of their buildings needs renovating? Do they dip into their multi-billion reserves to pay for it? NO! They demand that their followers, many of whom are extremely poor, pay the Full Cost of repairs. In my homeland, Ireland, and probaly many other countries as well, the priests used to sell what they called Indulgences, Pre-paid Entry into Heaven. At the time Ireland had, thanks to the English, one of the Poorest Populations in the Western World but still those thrice-accursed priests made the people support them in what amounted to a Luxury lifestyle of Wine, Fine Foods, the finest drag to wear in their multi-million pound churches. My family were not rich but nor were we amongst the poor, Mum and Dad had to watch the money, they did not spend money on luxuries BUT we were a happy family. More recently one of the family came into a truck-load of money, he changed completely from being a fun, generous person into a real tight-wad who from being the one who pulled out his wallet to pay for things to being one who stood back and allowed everyone else to pay. Miserable git that he now is.

I know I'm happier knowing I've got money put back if my refrigerator quits working, or my dryer goes out or i need a new part on my truck, or my grandkids need moeyt for their sports, I'm not a ppenny pincher but I do try to save a little hear and there, it might not be but $10.00 sometimes but it all adds up and i know i have that money when I need it, so yes, I guess you could say frugal people are happy.

Maybe they are .Michael

you take your time.Why go into debt

we have a budget and we stick to it, we have an emergency fund for those unexpected happenings, we have no debt, no credit cards. Less stress.

Probably not known anything else on their lifetime

I’m immune to frugality, I got vaccinated when I retired……lol

yes. you have control of your spending and are therefore more free to choose. It is not a question of denial but economy of scale

Yer all depends on why they are living frugally....because they WANT to or becasue they HAVE to...perhaps fruagl is not the best word to describe it...I would say more, its not being materialistic perhaps... If you embrace it....then yes, you might be happier, but if its out of necessity, and always crimping, etc then that can be very stressful (& you wont be happy).

The same question could be asked if wealthy people are happier. I think it's the people not how much money they have. We had close friends who thought we were stupid because we wanted an electric blanket and a washing machine. They were prepared to be cold at night and wash baby nappies by hand. They were quite happy with their lives while we were happy having things that improved our quality of life. They have continued being frugal throughout their lives doing without while we seemed like spendthrifts. Over the years we have seen how many disasters they have encountered while trying to save money and while we have everything we want but now watch what we spend I don't think they are anymore happy than we are, if as happy. We have certainly lived with less stress.

I wouldn't know.

We live comfortably, I've always been frugal. Get something if I need it but do watch what we spend. We enjoy our life, we go where we want, eat what we want. So happy with with what we have & do.

it all depends on what you compare it with

I don't think the comparison is based in reality. People are frugal for 2 main reasons either 1) They have to be because of their financial situation or 2) they choose to be because they think it's more sustainable or they are actively fighting against wasteful consumption. Those in the second category may contribute to happiness, but there is no evidence to back this up. Those in category 1 are unlikely to be happy, poverty does not equal happiness. Consumption & money doesn't necessarily equal happiness. Once the basic needs are met & them the ability to afford some luxuries are met, there has not shown to be an equivalent level of happiness. You get to a certain level of income & there is no corresponding increase in happiness. Edited 21-Apr-25 10:15am

My dad used to say to me Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving, That was all over when I got married.

Being on a pension you have to. But even in business you have to watch so you enjoy the little things that give you joy

I generally call these guys tight a....

It would depend on how they manage their needs and wants and how their mental state copes with these choices .Money doesn't buy health or happiness .Take each day as it comes .These people have a stress coping plan .

It depends how each person feels about their purpose/s, whether the purpose is forced upon them or aspired to. If I have little to live on, every penny spent is scrutinised due to a forced choice. I probably find it stressful and depressing. If I have enough but choose to live a minimalist lifestyle, then every time I evaluate my options, I might feel happy about my choices. If I am aspired to buy a house and limit my expenses & save, I would feel the ultimate achievement when I turn the key to my own home when the purpose is accomplished (less when each penny is saved towards the goal). Some have the best attitudes to find happiness in many situations, hats off to them. Having the freedom to choose a lifestyle is a luxury for many.Edited 21-Apr-25 09:37am

Im Both frugal and take care of my possession. I only buy on sale prices which doesn't mean the cheapest price. And I take care of my appliances etc. I have a 40 year old stereo system that is mint, fridges last me over 20 years easily. I never buy anything just to have the newest and greatest, I leave that to the sheep who have been brainwashed by advertising. I only buy to replace a worn or broken item if I can't fix it. I will also buy second hand for certain item's as buying that item new would probably be wasteful. I recycle, compost, wormfarm, burn my paper goods for heat and only pay for 6 months of power a year thanks to solar credits. No bill is over $60. I'm very happy living alone with my dogs and I get to save a lot of money for necessary things like a new roof last year..Edited 21-Apr-25 09:27am

I make a pretty good wage but have spent my whole life living paycheck to paycheck. Then Covid happen. I was forced not to go to restaurants, cinemas, shopping sprees, etc. Strangely enough when Covid restriction lifted, I still kept living my frugal lifestyle. Now 6 years later I have saved so much money that I have decided to retire at the end of this year much earlier than originally planned. I'm kicking myself for all those decades of wasteful spending on cr*p that I didn't need.

do you mean frugal or careful with what they have. we hae always lived carefully when we were first married we lived on my husbands wage saved mine & it payed for a dining room suite in a year , now we are comfortable have been able to assist our children although have never lost the way of being careful with all we had. I must admit it was happy time when we would save to go out to dinner or by something we were saving for , now if we really want it we can actually by it I still like a bargain.

Money makes greed, war, violence, murders. To many people believe Money makes happiness, but when one persons money is another persons debt that might break even, And when Money makes every one a slave of the banks, it falls below. so what ever the opposite of happiness in the world is, it is always more plentiful than happiness. Still the amount of happiness Dogs have might bring the happiness in the world a bit higher again.Edited 21-Apr-25 08:59am

Absolutely! It takes the pressure off of trying to “keep up with the Jones’s”. Despite earning a decent income, I still cook most of the time, choose not to own a car and still live in the same house. Feels so much better living a simple life without the attention of living lavishly.

Happiness existed long before money. People can be happy if there is no money. Socializing playing sports, having a partner, what ever it is, money does not make happiness.

Yes it takes some of the everyday stresses away

I don't drink alchohol if you remember. So i am Frugal I suppose. but the thing is Am I more or less Happy with out Alchohol I can not ever really know.

I agree if your frugile, you don't have to worry about paying your bills, which in turn will make you happy

depends on people, Dont know we never lived lavish

It will make you Happer when you retire

Being frugal can make you happy if you want something and don't spend unnecessary, you can get the things you want or need quickly.

Yes I know a couple of frugal millionaires. Ok if they are frugal with their own expenses but when you have shouted many times and they can't even buy you a coffee it is a real turn off and I am sure it costs them good friendships which is worth much more.

It is not a fact but, frugal people can be happier when they make a saving and afford to buy something else

Yes, you don't have to worry about bills

Yes

It depends....we try to be frugal but also generous.

live the way you want

YES! I lack nothing, and have everything I need to the point that I can donate 10% to my congregation each month! GOD IS GOOD! ;-D

As long as you are happy 😊. Why not ?

If you look at it that way it does make sense. There are many ways to look at it though.

I came from poverty and so learned be frugal. I am happy and it's more about the challenge of making my pennies go further, than living without.

Unsure if frugal people are happier. I believe there is no such study. But if we consider ou general sense, frugal people will face less financial trouble. In that sense, yes they are comfortable in daily life compared to non-frugal people.Edited 21-Apr-25 07:26am

I have observed people of my mothers age who live frugally and do not complain about not having this or that. Sometimes the more you have the more you want. Many people waste a lot eg. children with many toys.

Happy I can ever be yeh right

Miserable people are miserable people and it has nothing to do about how frugal they are.

Depends on the person

I don't have to but I choose to live frugally, I have what I need.

I'd say yes. Being able to buy more for less allows a level of comfort. We had an 18 year old foster son who couldn't comprehend why you were better off buying two cologne bottles for the price of one. He genuinely couldn't wrap his mind around it. If offered two of the same items, one less than the other, he always went for the most expensive.

I THINK THEY ARE HAPPIER AS THEY DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING

I don't think so

I think that frugal people are happier generally if their needs are met.

Depends on your personality. Some people like material things more so living frugally probably won't make them happy. I think people who chose to live a minimalist lifestyle though their resources are good are generally happier though. Why? Because they are probably more secure in themselves and don't feel the need to constantly try to impress everyone with their material possessions. They probably don't have to worry about fake friends as much, people using them for money or jealousy.

trying to spend money wisely, but can not stretch far enough. You have to leave some bills till next payday

I am not sure that frugal people worry less about money. Frugal people tend to make sure that they don’t spend too much on purchases and some can go out of their way to save money. Frugal people tend to be happier when they are snaring themselves a bargain.

Even a lot of rich people live frugally. Guess they too are searching for happiness which all the money cannot buy!