Kit and I both grew up in frugal circumstances where money was a concern. Home mortgage interest rates when we married were 18%. Buying our first home, we felt lucky to assume a loan at only 14%. For our long-term financial health, we set a goal to pay off the mortgage in seven years and succeeded.

Seven years of pinching pennies established a habit pattern. Although our finances are now secure, we still try to cut costs. Here’s the surprise: hunting bargains has become a sport. Finding an item we will use regularly—and some we won’t—on sale or discounted gives us tremendous joy. The happiness we feel far exceeds the actual savings. We tease each other that our favorite stores recognize us as scavengers. This is undeniably eccentric behavior. But it’s fun. And we take satisfaction knowing that every dollar saved will eventually go to worthy purposes.