Ever since I embarked on a self-imposed frugal living journey a couple of years ago, I have been pleasantly surprised at just how freeing living simply can be! The even bigger revelation was discovering that living simply and frugally together doesn’t have to mean being without.

Oftentimes, we may mistake having stuff with being fulfilled, and soon those "must-have’s" get in the way of what is truly important. The truth of the matter is that stuff can never fill an emotional hole or need. Stuff can bog down lives and make way for clutter and remorse. And with popular trends ever changing, it’s difficult to keep up with the purchasing pace. After a while you might wonder why you piled up so much stuff in the first place.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all about that best bargain or a super sale, but not at the expense at turning my life upside down with non-essentials. Mere things tend to become a big responsibility and can place a heavy toll on our lives, not to mention the debt they incur. An extra car payment? Multiple store credit cards? Wanting to get my hot hands on the coolest gadget around (iPad or Kindle, anyone)? Yeah, I’ve been there. It not only takes money to buy things, but it takes space to store and upkeep to maintain these things that we purchase. It’s fun for a while, but over time, stuff has the capacity to hold us in a rut.

So along my journey down the road to living free with less, I’ve kicked up a few nuggets of wisdom to tame the desire for more:

1) Assess your needs with honesty. Do you really need it, or really want it? Needs-based items are necessary for day-to-day sustainability. If you find yourself eyeing something you really want (for me, a KitchenAid Mixer), save up and pay for it with cash. You’ll appreciate it more and the wait will be rewarding. If it’s a hasty purchase, it probably won’t fulfill the purpose you may have intended for it in the first place.

2) Stop comparing. No matter where you perceive you stand on the socio-economic ladder, there will always be someone on a different rung than you. So refuse to compare. Find contentment within yourself and stand firm.

3) Be grateful. Take time to reflect on what you do have, and choose to be thankful. Spring is coming eventually, is it not? The sun still shines somewhere, even when it’s cloudy. It’s difficult to look at the bright side every day, but it’s important to stop and consider that material possessions can never make you a smarter, kinder or more well-liked person. Only a change of heart and a spirit of thankfulness can do this.

4) Use what you have. Reform to be a better steward of items you may have acquired or stockpiled over time. Make it a practice to use up at least some of what you have on hand before buying more. Squeeze out the remains of toiletries you have lingering in bathroom drawers. Cook out of your pantry a few nights a week. Plan menus around what you have in-house. Don’t let perfectly good resources go to waste. Use your products for every cent they are worth!

5) Give back and de-clutter. In giving, focus is removed from the "me" while painting a better outlook for someone else. You might be surprised just how blessed the giving exchange can make you feel. Help a friend in need. Donate time or give goods from your overflowing closet or garage to a church or charitable organization. Conduct a spring yard sale! Removing some unnecessary "extras" in your life can be freeing all in itself, as it helps you simplify!

The frugal truth of it all is that the deals and bargains will come and go. And there will always be more sales to be found up and down the streets of Athens. But for now, just reassess… relax… and experience the joy and freedom that come along with purposefully living simply with less!