I “pinged” a poll earlier this week about results released by the Naitonal Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) to the question: Do You Have Frugal Fatigue? Here are the poll questions and results:

Do you have Frugal Fatigue?A) Yes, I am tired of pinching pennies, but will have to continue that lifestyle. 66%
B) Yes, I am tired of pinching pennies, and have decided to begin spending more. 5%
C) No, I’ve not made any spending changes in recent years. 8%
D) No, I have made lifestyle changes, but they are positive and I intend to keep them. 21%.

I’m considering that if the A’s could become D’s, it would be an awesome result. Because, really, what is the Law of Attraction and the Secret all about if not acceptance of where we are instead of fighting against what we don’t want? Acceptance allows change. Change can bring success. It feels like the 66% for Question A are complying with the lessons learned but are continuing to kick and scream. The 21% for Question D have chosen a more positive (and rewarding) lifestyle.

This is a choice between wishing things were different and accepting they are not but much good can come from the lessons learned. We will never be free as long as we are slaves to lenders. The lesson to be learned in this economy is to live within our means. It means we track expenses, create a savings plan or budget that is in line with income, and always save for the inevitable rainy day.

The article accompanying the poll summed it up like this: “Anytime a person takes control of his or her financial well-being, it’s a step in the right direction. When one in five people makes a decision to permanently alter their financial habits, presumably spending less and saving more, it potentially impacts the economy as a whole. This could be worrisome to some who encourage increased spending as a necessary component to the country’s recovery. Nonetheless, it can be argued that a financially stable household is critical to a financially stable America.”

Amen.