can you live frugal and be happy

As it was said, there is a difference between needs and want, between living frugal and just being cheap. I had to change countries because politics, and went from having everything, to having nothing. Even though I wept a lot in the begining, I learned how to live from a small income, to look for deals and cheap things. I buy clothes from thrift shops(and on 50% too),food from the cheapest places and when it's on sale, reuse everything I can. And you know what? I am happy.I have everything I really need.And as long as I'm healthy , live in peace and can take care of my family, I feel blessed.

i would have to say that it is because today i got some very cool stuff at my local thrift store. i got a brand new notepad (still wrapped in the plastic) that my aunt will get for christmas for 50 cents plus i got a vintage aluminum cup from the 1960's that is silver and will look great with candy canes in it for 50 cents as well.

It is actually dependent on your outlook to live, some people are habituated in living in frugal way no matter how much money they have,. for them its just cake walk. but we, who try it forcebly, its something difficult to do.

Yes there are scarifices to be made in being frugal,but it seems to me that they are far outweighed by the good points,its good to look into the refigerator and know that there is very little if any waste,its good to know that by a visit to the garden you can dig sometihng up that you have grown yourself,I live a simple life,but in all honesty I really like it that way.

Yes, one could be frugal and still be happy. The important thing is to differentiate between your needs and wants. If you have enough to cover your needs, and still have left over to save. There is always the need to be frugal in your wants, and only indulge in them once in a while. Of course, air conditioning is just a want, and not a need. Our ancestors before our time does not have AC, but yet they can still live happily. It's all a matter of being simple. It's hot in Singapore, but yet, I have never seen the need for an AC to be installed in my house. This is because I know that it is just a want and I don't really need it to be happy. Of course, when you see all the savings that you will get over the years, and these pennies add up, it would definately be all well worth it. Take care =)