Less Stuff, More Meaning: How Frugal Living Helps Kids Thrive

In a culture driven by consumerism, teaching kids the value of less is a radical and rewarding act. This gentle guide explores how frugal living can spark creativity, reduce stress, and build deeper family connections.

When I was a child in the 1980s, I spent a lot of time with my paternal grandparents. At their house, there was no such a thing as trash – nearly everything was repaired, reused, repurposed or recycled.

Torn tea towels? Fixed in a jiffy with a needle, thread and grandma’s mad sewing skills.

Empty glass jars from the store? Filled with Grandma’s homemade lingonberry sauce or pickled cucumbers.

Cardboard boxes? They became forts, rockets and dollhouses whenever Grandma and I let our imaginations run wild.

My grandparents’ thrift was evident in other ways too. They made every effort to live within their means and never owned any credit cards. Grew their own vegetables and rarely bought new clothes… or new anything.

In their free time, they preferred spending time in the great outdoors – visiting local nature preserves, national parks and historic sites – over going on expensive vacations abroad. Their greatest joy was the annual hiking trips they took in northern Sweden each summer. 

Despite their simple lifestyle, my grandparents never complained. Like many other people in their generation, they came from a humble farming background and grew up in the shadow of World War II. To them, minimizing waste and making sure every penny counted was part insurance against unexpected hardship, part common sense. Frugality was second nature.

The Return of Frugal Living

Today, we live in a culture steeped in unmet wants and desires, where “more” is never enough, social media influencers constantly peddle the next “must have” product (remember the Stanley cup craze?) and credit cards are handed out like candy in a Fourth of July parade.

Our economy thrives on unconscious spending and mass consumerism, and the moment GDP dips, economists warn that we’re still not shopping enough.

But in a post-pandemic world frayed by economic uncertainty and geopolitical instability, frugality seems to be having a moment. Becca Loveless, a mother of two and self-proclaimed “deinfluencer” who shares her thrifty lifestyle on social media, noticed a huge upswing in the summer of 2024, when frugality’s hashtag cousin “underconsumption” was trending strongly. 

“We’ve lived in this super-consumerist culture for such a long time, and I think people are getting tired of ads, tired of being in debt and buying into a lifestyle they can’t afford,” Loveless, who lives in Vancouver, B.C. said.

“A lot of people are struggling with money in this economy. Just getting groceries and filling up your car with gas is so expensive, and the housing market is wild. There’s no such thing as a starter home anymore. Then I pop up in their feed and show that you can be really happy without buying a bunch of things. And I’m not depriving myself of anything – this is how I want to live. I don’t want the stress of being out of money.” 

The Benefits of Doing More with Less

For Loveless, the heart of frugal living is owning less and gaining freedom in return. Having grown up in the U.S. in a lower-income household where the fear of running out of money was always present, she knew it wasn’t what she wanted for her own family.

The final push came when she and her husband moved to New Zealand with their first child and they had to pare down their belongings to make them fit into just four suitcases.

“Nothing makes you hate owning a bunch of stuff more than doing a big purge like that. Our move gave me a different relationship with material things, and I figured out what’s important and what isn’t. Today, I put a lot of thought into what I buy, and I do a lot of research. I’m not willing to spend my money on just anything.”

Frugal living can help you pay down debt, save up for an emergency fund and avoid money-related stress. But the benefits of buying less go far beyond a growing savings account, especially for your children. When kids have fewer toys, they become more deeply engaged in play and play more creatively.

Some researchers even suggest that parents and educators should teach frugality for the sake of children’s well-being, since “expensive consumption habits have been shown to lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and compulsive shopping addiction,” according to one review. 

The Best Family Moments Cost Little or Nothing

Beyond personal finances, frugality also ties into a bigger story: social and environmental sustainability. The culture of mass consumerism in affluent nations is fanning the flames of climate change and environmental degradation.

Every extra resource we consume leaves less for future generations – and for people in developing countries who already have to make do with far fewer material comforts than we do.

Loveless and her husband live on a single income in an expensive city, so by living frugally they to some extent make a virtue out of necessity. But she pushes back against the idea that frugal living is a sacrifice.

Many of their favorite things to do cost little or nothing – bike rides, camping, paddleboarding, home-cooked meals, or simply spending time with friends. It’s a conscious lifestyle choice that Loveless hopes will show her children what really matters in life. 

“I think frugal living is a win win win. It makes you and your kids happier, it saves you money, and it’s better for the environment,” she said.

7 Ways to Live More Frugally

Budget and track your spending. In a society designed for mindless consumption, this is a key step for somebody who wants to take control of their finances. When you track your expenses, it puts the spotlight on your unconscious spending and holds you accountable.

Challenge yourself to a “buy-nothing period.” Refraining from buying any new clothes or non-essentials for a certain amount of time can reset your spending habits in a positive way.

Practice gratitude. It may sound basic, but research shows that when you appreciate what you have, it can lead to greater happiness and well-being. Plus, it keeps the urge to seek out retail therapy in check.  

Avoid the temptation. Don’t go into a store to browse just for fun – you might come out with something you don’t truly need. Also, unsubscribe from marketing emails and unfollow social media accounts that try to push you to spend money.  

Know your priorities. When you live frugally, you’re able to save up for things that really matter to you. Ask yourself why you want to buy something and think of it as a purchase for life, rather than something you’ll toss out the next time a new trend comes along.

Buy used – or get stuff for free. The internet is teeming with websites where you can buy things second hand and even get things for free from buy-nothing groups. Local thrift shops and garage sales can also be great for bargains. Try a Buy Nothing New Challenge for 30 days.

Pick up a hobby. Fill your life with hobbies and things that make you happy without costing a lot of money. Being in nature, reading books, cooking, and knitting are a few hobbies that are both low cost and relaxing.