Saw this piece (via Americablog) over at MSNBC about how frugality is “the new black,” and while it’s a decent/valid piece, I’m just sort of amazed at the tone. Which maybe only reflects the tone of our society:

“Being frugal is not anything to be ashamed of. It’s just the way of life,” he said.

The entire insinuation of the piece is that frugality maybe is something to be ashamed of; or at least, something we fabulously wealthy Americans never had to really think about before. Oh, look - a sale! How cute.

But some of us, you know, sought to live our lives frugally even during the boom times. We forget that frugality was once considered a moral virtue in this country; profligacy is now considered to be the American way. The Leader, after all, urging us to go shopping in the wake of 9/11.

But you read this piece and you think: Gardening/growing at least some of your own food is really this unknown? Do Americans really eat out that much?

My brother, who waits tables, tells stories of people coming in to eat and trying to pay with this credit card; declined. Pull out that card: declined. Finally find a third, or a fourth, that’s accepted. And his question always is: If your credit cards are maxed out, how can you afford to eat out?

Frugality is the smart choice, but here’s the thing: It always was. And so now we enter this great period of financial instability, and I just get an idea that the people who always saw frugality as a virtue or a necessity are going to be in far, far better shape than those who think they’re still entitled to the “lifestyle” that lets them eat out whenever they want - despite what the economic indicators, or the credit card statements, have to say.