How Frugal Living Helped Me Fall in Love with Homemaking

Many believe frugal living is about constant sacrifice—but nothing could be further from the truth. True frugality as a homemaker is about stewarding your home with wisdom and grace, and embracing the abundance of what you already have. Today, I want to share the unexpected book that transformed my mindset and taught me to love frugal living. Spoiler alert: it’s not a self-help book or even about finances!

Stewarding My Home on a Single Income

As a family of five living on a single income, you might assume we’re constantly sacrificing. And while we’ve made some adjustments, the truth is—we love it.

Before becoming a homemaker, I had a senior-level corporate job and made great money. My husband and I lived comfortably and never worried about finances. But when we started our family, I felt a deep conviction to stay home with my children. I couldn’t bear the thought of someone else spending the majority of their waking hours with them. Through God’s provision, I became a stay-at-home mom—a blessing I wouldn’t trade for the world.

But leaving behind my career wasn’t easy. Cutting our income in half forced us to make lifestyle changes, and I quickly realized that frugality wasn’t just about finances—it was about sanctification. The Lord used this transition to refine me, change my mindset, and help me embrace a new identity.

Losing Myself to Motherhood

What I didn’t expect was how much homemaking would challenge me. My identity shifted overnight—from a successful career woman to a homemaker. And somewhere along the way, I started to lose sight of who I was.

I forgot how I liked to dress. I stopped noticing my little quirks. I lost myself in the daily grind of motherhood. Have you ever felt this way? It’s a strange feeling—like you’re giving so much to your family that you no longer recognize the person you once were.

But I learned something powerful: this wasn’t just about finances or homemaking. It was about my mindset. I was living from a place of lack instead of abundance.

The Book That Changed My Perspective

Everything changed when I read Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry. It’s a fiction novel, but the lessons I learned about frugality and contentment were straight from the Lord. This book taught me that frugality isn’t about deprivation—it’s about stewardship.

In the book, Hannah reflects on her home, saying:

“It wasn’t a rich house, but it was ours, and we had made it ourselves. Every board and beam, every nail and joint… It was the result of labor we had given. There was no shame in it.”

That passage convicted me. I realized I had been living from a state of overconsumption, wishing for more instead of taking pride in what I already had. What if, instead of longing for a bigger or “better” house, I cherished the memories and blessings of the home I already had?

This shift in perspective changed everything. I began to see our home not as a temporary stepping stone but as a place to nurture and steward with pride.

Gratitude in the Present

Another lesson from the book struck me deeply:

“The wish for more can make a person blind to what they already have.”

How often do we miss the abundance in front of us because we’re focused on what’s missing? Jesus warns us against this in Matthew 6:19-21:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

This reminded me to treasure the gifts God has already given me instead of striving for what I don’t need. I stopped focusing on what I lacked and started seeing the beauty in what I had.

Knowing the Meaning of “Enough”

One of the most impactful quotes from Hannah Coulter reads:

“We weren’t rich, but we had enough. Enough food, enough work, enough love. I think now that the world is too full of people who don’t know the meaning of enough.”

This resonated deeply. In 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Paul says:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

Contentment isn’t about wealth or possessions—it’s about trusting God’s provision and finding joy in what He has already given us.

Rediscovering Myself Through Homemaking

I promised to tell you how I found myself again, and here it is: I didn’t “find” myself—I recreated myself. I intentionally embraced a new identity, focusing on what makes me unique.

I call these Unique Homemaker Qualities—the little things that make you, you. It’s how you dress, how you speak, and how you want your children to remember you. For example:

• “Mama always used silly voices when she read stories.”

• “Mama smelled like lavender.”

• “Mama always stopped to hold me when I was hurt.”

These small details create a legacy of love and connection. Rediscovering who you are as a homemaker is about intentionality.

Ready to Embrace Homemaking?

Frugal living isn’t about cutting corners or constant sacrifice. It’s about cultivating gratitude, stewarding your blessings, and embracing the life God has called you to.

If you’re feeling lost in your homemaking journey, I’d love to invite you to my free homemaking workshop. In it, I’ll show you how I went from overwhelmed and overstimulated to peaceful and joyful in my role as a homemaker.

Thank you for reading—it’s a joy to share this journey with you!