The title here seems very inflammatory. The article questions whether some actions (e.g. painting your own home instead of hiring someone to do it) are truly frugal. It goes on to say that the philosophy of frugality is a handmaiden for wealthy.
Maybe so, but why would we discourage good spending habits? For example, choosing to eat one or more meals out each day versus bulk cooking is an option available to most people. Likewise, choosing to spend $800 on rent with roommates versus $1,600 for a studio or one bedroom apartment.
I'm not seeing how millenials or members of the middle class benefit by uncritically opting for more expensive options. My read on frugal culture is spend however much money you want on whatever you want, but do so eyes-wide-open. Break free from all the advertising, inertia, and "keeping up with the joneses".
Frankly I think if more people adopted this style of thinking it would have serious ramifications for the rich and their businesses built on over consumption and debt.
Maybe so, but why would we discourage good spending habits? For example, choosing to eat one or more meals out each day versus bulk cooking is an option available to most people. Likewise, choosing to spend $800 on rent with roommates versus $1,600 for a studio or one bedroom apartment.
I'm not seeing how millenials or members of the middle class benefit by uncritically opting for more expensive options. My read on frugal culture is spend however much money you want on whatever you want, but do so eyes-wide-open. Break free from all the advertising, inertia, and "keeping up with the joneses".
Frankly I think if more people adopted this style of thinking it would have serious ramifications for the rich and their businesses built on over consumption and debt.