What I love about being poor

The unexpected benefits of a frugal life

Hello, I’m Molly and I write about my slow and simple life in the Scottish Highlands. Please subscribe to support my work and if you want to read more of my stories. You can also find me on YouTube and shop my Slow Scottish Store and sustainable Teemill Clothing.

It took me a moment to register it. My car, usually so reliable, was inconceivably and undoubtedly not happy. Although I know very little about cars, I recognised that red flashing symbol immediately. She had overheated. Bugger.

I was immediately taken back to my childhood, where overheating cars was an almost daily drama. We never could seem to afford to buy a reliable car….

When I was very little, we actually had a decent income. My mother was a high-flier and earnt a very respectable salary at a University. However, the year I turned 8 this all changed.

Sick of the long hours, my mother decided to quit this job and instead my parents moved us to a Scottish Island and, shortly after, made the decision to home-educate myself and my 3 brothers. Life was very different after this.

Not having very much money was the backdrop to our childhood. At the time, I never really noticed it. It was our normal.

We were a family of picnics in all weathers. Of rare UK based holidays in cramped caravans. Our home scattered with bowls as a remedy to leaking roofs. Ourselves drowning in layers on cold winter days. Meals often an odd assemblage of random ingredients, as we waited the next pay check.

Despite this, I can’t imagine a better childhood.

An important caveat here. In the grand scheme of things, my family could never be considered poor. I’m acutely aware of how privileged we are compared to so many others. I’d never want this to be misconstrued.

However, with the cost in living crisis, more and more of us are struggling with financial stress. In light of this, I thought that I would share the upsides that I’ve found with having a little less money.

A frugal life can be just as rich.

Closer relationships

My family wouldn’t be as close as we are today without my mum’s decision to leave her job. We may not have had as much much money, but we had so much more time. We were privileged to always have at least one parent at home. My brother’s and I were a tight unit. Constantly making up games and going on adventures with our many pets.

I learnt to value quality time with loved ones, something that’s meant I’ve formed close friendships as I’ve gotten older. I can appreciate spending time with them over a simple cuppa and never feel like I’m missing out.

Valuable traits

Growing up with less money has moulded who I am today. I have always had a vivid imagination, helped by a childhood immersed in books (borrowed from the library of course!). I’m never bored.

I’m blessed with a sense of humour. I’ve learnt not to take life seriously when things inevitably go wrong. Like having to push an overheated car up a hill, which was just part and parcel of our family holidays.

I can be a creative problem solver. Finding work-arounds for problems that doesn’t cost me. Such as climbing into the back of my car to reach the boot that can’t be shut without leaking. I’m not put off by a little extra effort.

I’ve also found it easy to my grateful. This is something I’ve worked hard to nurture as I’ve grown older. A grateful life is a happy life.

Connection with nature

Growing up, nature was my playground. Other than the odd battered playpark visit visit, we weren’t a family to regularly visit more pricey destinations, such as theme parks or arcades.

We were lucky to live in rural locations for most of my childhood. Even if we found ourselves in more built up areas, you can always uncover nature if you look hard enough.

One of our homes only had a small patio garden. However, it bordered a field with a run down barn that never seemed to get used. We had many an adventure here. As Anne would say, it had so much ‘scope for the imagination’.

Its no coincidence that I wanted a career in wildlife conservation. Nature continues to be my lifeblood. I’m so grateful for the joy it brings me.

Value experience over things

Growing up with a frugal minded family means that I witnessed first hand how little you really need to be happy.

I’ve never been one to chase money. When it comes to my career, I followed my heart and have had low paying roles as a conservationist and a content creator.

I value a slower pace of life over luxury holidays or fancy new possessions. This is why I chose part time working hours. Yes, I have less money, but I have more time. For me, this is priceless.

Less pressure

Even as a teenager, I never really bothered with trends.

Its so easy to feel the pressure to keep up with everyone else. Social media has of course massively escalated this.

I’m not immune to this pressure, but overall, it features very little in my life. The intentional spending that minimalism has taught me means that I take time to question all my purchases. Nothing is ever worth the anxiety of overspending.

Choosing to be happy now

Its a cliché, but money, at least in itself, doesn’t result in happiness.

Its so easy to wait to have more money before you can be truly ‘happy’. To become lost in the daily struggles. To let all the good moments in life pass you by.

For myself, I envision a future where we have our own land for our Tiny Home, rather than our current situation being parked in my partner’s family garden. I can picture this in detail and enjoy daydreaming about it.

However, I refuse to wait until this is a reality to be happy. This is a vicious cycle where nothing will ever be enough.

So, I take time to relish my wonderful life now. With all its beautiful imperfections.

I hope you can do the same.

Until next week,

Molly xx