Minimalism and frugality are two different concepts, but they are not mutually exclusive. A minimalist is not necessarily a frugal person, and a frugal person doesn’t have to be a minimalist. However, the minimalist lifestyle leads to frugality.
In my opinion, the biggest difference between a truly frugal person and a minimalist who, being a minimalist, also ends up being a frugal person, is motivation.
A frugal person wants to save money and doesn’t want to buy unnecessary things in order not to spend money. The crisis has led many people to behave more frugal, to be more spared, to rethink their consumption habits – due to the need to cut back on expenses.
A minimalist spends less money (and saves) as a result of his self-imposed and conscious refusal to acquire non-essentials. But a minimalist doesn’t mind spending money on what he really needs and prefers to buy quality things.
People don’t become minimalists out of the need to spend less. I’ve been reading some confusion around what minimalism is and what drives a person to become a minimalist. It’s not the crisis. It’s not a lack of money. It’s not about having to save. It makes people more frugal, but it doesn’t make them minimalist. These are different things.
Anyone who has read this blog for a long time knows that I didn’t want to be a minimalist because I needed to save or spend less money. Money was never my motivation – nor the motivation of many other minimalists (although saving is a wonderful side effect).
The main reason a person becomes minimalist is happiness. Having more time for yourself, for what gives you pleasure, to be with your loved ones, even to work on your passion.
Being minimalist is not a necessity imposed by the crisis, by budget cuts, by the government.
Being minimalist is a choice. A choice that lasts before, during and after the crisis.
