[Bookie]

By nature, no, I'm not frugal in the least .

Lots of things don't attract me, but I can hardly claim much virture when I resist temptations I don't feel. That's like bragging about my weight when food isn't my vice. It's easy for me to walk away from all manner of acquisitions and indulgences, to glory in my ostentatious simplicity, and to gloat righteously over the excesses of others. But it's all a crock, and I know it.

What I've learned about thrift and frugality I learned the hard way -- by making my mistakes and digging myself out. The present-day benefit of past experience is that I'm not so eager to opt for immediate gratification at the pain of future debt. I'm less convinced that happiness can come from stuff, however glitzy, or that a credit card can serve as a get-out-of-me-free pass. I've learned that wanting is transitory, that having is often burdensome, and that discardiing can be the path to freedom.

None of that makes me an ascetic. I still buy classical CDs I certainly don't need, books I think I may want to read, and computer hardware to feed the inner geek. I lunch with friends, not because I'm hungry, but because I value the companionship. I lend money I know I'll never see again to salve the pride and meet the need of those I care about.

Frugal? Probably not, but today I try to ensure that my spending serves my needs, embodies my values, and provides a lasting sense of satisfaction.