Our Philosophy Explained
Being Fancy and Frugal is more than just a way to save money—it’s a mindset, a way of moving through the world with elegance, intentionality, and confidence. It’s about embracing life’s beauty while making thoughtful choices that maximize quality, experience, and joy without unnecessary excess.
For me, this philosophy has always been a part of who I am, even before I fully realized it. I love experiencing fancy things, curating beautiful moments, and sharing them with others—but I want those experiences to be valuable, intentional, and affordable - so I can have them often.
I don’t believe that luxury should be defined by price alone, nor do I think indulgence has to come at the cost of mindfulness. When I started traveling to Paris, I saw this very ethos woven into French culture. The French have mastered the art of balance—knowing when to splurge, when to savor simplicity, and how to live with an effortless elegance that never feels excessive. It's literally baked into their existence and every cultural staple of France.
Fancy and Frugal is about freedom. Traditional budgeting has always felt restrictive to me, focused on limitations rather than possibilities. Instead of cutting corners or denying myself, I want to make strong, smart choices—distinguishing between what I truly want, what I can wait for, and what’s worth the splurge. I don’t seek out luxury for the sake of exclusivity or status; I seek quality, craftsmanship, and experiences that feel meaningful. I don’t want the same things everyone has—I want to be selective, intentional, and discerning. That is the heart of frugal. It's not about being 'cheap" or even saving money. It's about investing where it counts.
This mindset offers the best of both worlds. It allows those who are naturally frugal to give themselves permission to indulge, while also helping those drawn to luxury find balance without excess. It’s not about sacrifice—it’s about knowing yourself, understanding your desires, and aligning your choices with your values. The first step? Getting clear on what matters to you. Once you do that, you’ll find that being Fancy and Frugal isn’t about restriction—it’s about living beautifully, intentionally, and without regret.
We've broken it's down into 4 easy categories.
Valuable
What's valuable to you may not be valuable to me! That's why it's so important to have a strong grasp on what's important to you and WHY! This is the first step in knowing how to spend your money on your next Paris trip or the carpet in your living room. Why does a higher pile matter to you? If the value is in alignment with a good intention then you'll know you're making a great purchase. You might splurge a little on a boutique Parisian hotel with a kitchenette so you can save money on breakfast and have a little more space.
Possible
So many people get stuck in the idea that because something is fancy it's not frugal! And that's just not the case. In fact, France itself has proven that. Many of the most famous dishes in French cuisine are quite inexpensive and exquisite. As a collective we need to learn how to elevate our lives without overconsuming. It's not a skill our American values have taught us. We just have to reprioritize and feel that it is possible for ourselves! And we're going to show you how! Now you just have to start believing.
Practical
Dreams are amazing! But not when you've spent all your time dreaming and not enough time taking action! That's why in order to fully embrance fancy and frugal living and traveling you have to get really practical about your wants and needs. You need a place to sleep in Paris more than you need a Chanel purse. But that doesn't mean that you can't have both! We believe that by being practical you can add lots of ongoing fancy pleasures to your everyday life. These petite plaisirs can be as simple as switching your Heinz mustard to Maille Dijon you found at Trader Joe's.
Empowered
It's time for us to redefine the word frugal. Imagine that you are empowered enough in yourself and your intentions that you know intuitively what brings you with the Joie de Vivre (joy of living) and what doesn't. This shift will allow you to make empowered choices to release the excess. The stuff we spend money on that doesn't actually serve us. This release then empowers you to make unapologetic investment in the life you actually want to live.
In a nustshell...
Being fancy and frugal means investing in experiences and items that truly bring value while cutting out mindless or status-driven spending. It’s about elegance, not extravagance.
Instead of splurging on everything, the Fancy and Frugal philosophy prioritizes fewer, better things—whether it’s a perfectly tailored coat, an unforgettable dining experience, or a thoughtfully chosen souvenir.
Fancy and frugal travelers don’t just look for the cheapest option—they seek the smartest option. This could mean dining at a Michelin-recommended bistro instead of a three-star restaurant or choosing a boutique hotel with Parisian charm over a chain luxury hotel.
Parisians are masters of balancing indulgence with practicality. The Fancy and Frugal lifestyle follows this principle—splurging on a gorgeous pastry at a renowned pâtisserie while enjoying a simple yet delightful picnic by the Seine.
This philosophy isn’t about restricting yourself—it’s about intentional choices that allow you to experience beauty, culture, and refinement without excess or regret.
Some Tangible Examples:
Let's make this easy for you! We used a lot of words like mindfulness, intention, and empowered above. And now we need to put these ideas into practice. So let's break down some numbers, options, and choices that can be made to follow the fancy and frugal philosophy.
Real Numbers
This is different for everyone. But my personal ballpark is $150 or less per person for events and stays per night. I get really clear on any purchases over $200 before I make them.
Luxry Goods
If your intention is right then absolutely invest in luxury goods! If you're doing it for clout... it's the right idea to pass!
Paris Accommodations
Fancy and frugal might mean looking for an accommodation with character above price tag. Trade 5 Stars for boutiques or luxury for location.
Cuisine
Food is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to be fancy and frugal! Especially in Paris. But so easy to make high joy fancy purchases while making frugal decisions. Try making one fancy and frugal swap this week.
Trends
Following trends is one of the easiest ways to overconsume and overspend. It's also the path to a less than fancy style. Instead opt for classic purcahses that will stand the test of time. This is very strong French ideal.
Get Smart
It's easy to find semi-exclusive, localized, efficient, and hidden luxury when you do a little research. Take the time needed to learn a lot about what you plan to invest in. You'll learn the best way to make your investments go further.
Now it's your turn!
The fancy and frugal philosphy isn't one size fits all! It's your turn to take these 4 categories and spend some time figuring out what fancy and frugal Paris Travel and living looks like to you! What is valuable to you? What do you believe or not believe is possible for you? How can you overcome what you don't believe is possible for you? What needs to change for you in order to believe it is? What are some practical ways you can make your every day more fancy? How can you start now preparing for the Paris vacation of your dreams? What shame, guilt, or beliefs do you have to release to feel empowered in your fancy frugality? What action steps will you take right now to change your life to be more fancy and frugal?
Let's Get Fancy and Frugal Together!
The Fancy and Frugal mindset allows you to experience Paris with elegance and intention, ensuring every euro is spent on what truly enhances your trip.
If you’re ready to plan a Parisian getaway that balances indulgence with mindful spending, explore our custom itinerary planning service. You can travel beautifully, wisely, and effortlessly.
Or get the Fancy and Frugal Paris Travel Guide to get started!