Frugal: A Trend or Reality?

I have a question: Is a person who is frugal simply green or just trendy?

What is sad is that in a down economy it becomes trendy to be frugal. Is being green with your green just a trend? Because one is sparing and economical with their money doesn't make one trendy however one who is trendy may become frugal because of the look it gives. It is quite funny how many people change their lifestyle based on trends. Now if it is a direct response to their financial hardships, understood. But if it is due to the positive look then quit, knock it off, you look silly. For many the slow down in our economics at least on the consumer side is a simple issue... fear. Many have stopped spending because of fear.

When one changes their values/character/reputation based off trends I personally have a hard time recognizing the integrity in such decisions. Now call me a bigot but I think we adapt to changes that are helpful to better ourselves and others around us. No doubt that many trends could be based off those needs that can better our lives but the changes we make should be based off the issues that relate to our life the most. Trends have a popularity contest of sorts attached. Notice how many people jumped on the global warming agenda. Did I make changes, sure, added a Hot Water Heater timer, you can read that post here. But there are things I have always done, I was taught as a child to always turn off the light behind me, shut the door or I would hear the famous, "Were you born in a barn?" which I still don't understand. The timer, simply because my in-laws did and saved money and that is the basis of many changes for me.

So you have the trend of issues, Gore's and Nobel prizes to be awarded, then you have the issues that affect people where they are in their every day lives. Sure we are responsible for our footprint on earth and have a responsibility to hold those accountable to being on the same page, but let's not throw out the baby with the bath water.

In fact, there is much advice about money management and frugality in the Bible. This comes from Proverbs 6:6-11:

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!

7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,

8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-

11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.

Thoughts? You frugal? If so is because you are trendy or because it helps?

p.s. click on the pic above to get great ideas on how to be green with your green.