I didn’t grow up in a family that prioritized flaunting wealth. Sure, we had enough for groceries, and my parents never carried debt, but we definitely weren’t trying to keep up with the Joneses. Growing up in a small town with one stoplight (and getting a second just as I hit high school), we didn’t exactly have a lot of bling to show off. The closest to “luxury” in our town was a girl in my class with a new Mercury Cougar she drove to school from her parents’ farm.
This was in Canada, where the concept of wealth back then was simpler than in the flashy parts of the U.S. People were more likely to brag about how long they could make their boots last through winter than about fancy cars. And in the ‘80s and ‘90s, nobody I knew had cell phones — we all marveled at those chunky devices on the last page of the RadioShack catalog.
In college, I didn’t even really notice “wealth” as a concept. As engineering students, we weren’t exactly throwing money around. Most of us were covering tuition with Subway jobs or weekend shifts at Costco and lived in basement apartments. I figured money was just for covering basics like food and rent — and if your family was really doing well, maybe they had a backyard pool.
My first exposure to real flaunting happened after college when I landed a software gig. Some friends and I took a trip to Sherkston Beach (Canada’s low-budget Spring Break), and I couldn’t help but notice the perfectly polished cars parked along the shore, each blaring its own music from expensive stereo systems. Tanned guys with frosted tips and sunglasses were strutting around, flexing and adjusting beer coolers. It felt like something out of a nature documentary on bird mating rituals.
At the time, I was earning a steady paycheck, likely more than any of those beach dudes, and I had my own “nice” car. It felt good, for a moment, to feel a bit of attention for something “flashy.” But that moment faded as I realized that flaunting wasn’t as satisfying as it seemed.
The Realization: Spending Isn’t the Same as Wealth
Moving to the U.S. was a wake-up call. Suddenly, there were parking lots filled with luxury cars, neighborhoods with HOA rules about paint colors and landscaping, and people paying thousands for golf club memberships — just to spend hundreds more each time they actually played. I started to realize that a lot of people valued status symbols over financial security, even if it meant staying in debt.
Then I stumbled onto something different: the idea that real freedom could be earned by flipping this script. People who found Making Paper Moves were hooked on the idea of early retirement and financial independence, but also freaked out by the thought of actually living below their means. They were torn between the dream of freedom and the fear of “losing status” by embracing frugality.
Guess what? Frugality is the New Fanciness
Back in the day, owning the “nice” things showed you had worked hard to get there. But today, in a world where you can buy nearly anything on credit, true wealth is all about the discipline to live below your means. We have all the conveniences and credit options imaginable, but most people are drowning in debt while consuming more than the planet can sustain.
Meanwhile, a small but growing crowd is taking the “fancy frugal” route. These folks realize that the ultimate luxury isn’t what you drive or wear — it’s the freedom to live on your terms. They’re strategically saving 50-75% of their income, mastering budgeting and smart investments, and living a life that’s both financially and environmentally sustainable.
Frugality as a Badge of Honor
Today, living frugally is like flexing a muscle most people don’t even know they have. It’s a quiet kind of confidence, a way of saying, “I don’t need to buy things to feel wealthy; I have the security of financial freedom.” At Making Paper Moves, this lifestyle is a badge of honor. When fancy frugal folks get together, they show off things like their 20-year-old cars that still run smoothly, DIY gadgets, or how they’re feeding a family of four on a smart, healthy budget.
The best part? Frugality is a trend with staying power. As more people realize the benefits of living on less, they’re building a stronger, more resilient financial future. And instead of accumulating stuff, they’re accumulating skills, memories, and a whole lot of freedom.
So, will you join the new movement and redefine what “status” really means? If you’re ready to make some moves, start here at Making Paper Moves and discover how frugality can be the ultimate luxury.
Onwards, my Fancy Frugal Friends!