In Search of Frugal Joy

Recently, my librarian friend Jenny offered an intriguing book recommendation—The Art of Frugal Hedonism. I found it at a local bookstore and now have a copy in hand. After digesting a few of its ideas, I decided to see what kind of joy I could create from the concept of frugal hedonism. Before getting started, though, I rechristened the concept frugal joy. I’m too self-conscious to consider myself a hedonist. Joy, I can handle.

The next day, I experienced frugal joy at the fish counter when I found fresh crab at a steep discount. The monger studiously took each crustacean in hand, assessing their relative weight and solidity. Then he cheerfully cleaned the one he deemed most worthy and wished me bon appetit.

A few aisles away, a small-statured woman asked me to snare a couple of sauce jars from the top shelf for her. At just short of six feet tall, I was pleased to help, and she left smiling. Me, too. More frugal joy.

My next experience that day involved this month’s book group selection. It finally being my turn to select the book, I’d decided on a new favorite non-fiction tome, The Wide, Wide........

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