Snowballing Into A Frugal Lifestyle
Starting to live frugally can be a tough shift. Whether you’re doing it because you’re in a load of debt, or because you’ve chosen a less profitable but more satisfying career path, you might feel like you’re missing out when you first take those frugal steps.
Now, don’t get me wrong – I got nothing against big purchases like boats. But my advice? If you’re going to buy it, do it with cash. But let me get back to the topic.
Once upon a time, six years ago, I was battling with the idea of opening a Roth IRA. I remember feeling frustrated at not being able to buy anything at the mall because I just used $2,000 to open the account.
This was when I started learning about living frugally then slowly incorporating it into my life. For instance, instead of eating out, I would meal plan and use coupons. And, if there was something I could fix instead of replacing, I would do it.
I began to buy fewer socks because, hey, I can sew the holes myself. Dresses I adored lasted longer because I learned they didn’t have to be washed after each wear, just when they started to smell funky.
I found myself saving all of my change in a jar and cashing it in when full. I made couponing a habit. I started to note the prices and fuel up at the cheaper gas station. I also became aware of restaurants offering happy hour deals and shifted to dining at these cost-saving places.
There were years where life got too busy to actively save money, yet I realised my frugal habits were still present. My change jar filled up without thought, coupons remained part of my shopping routine, and I continued seeking the best deals around.
Over time, frugality can become like a snowball – it starts small then grows into something massive that seeps into your everyday life. And, trust me, it’s really exciting!
Have you started your journey into frugal living? I’d love to hear your initial steps or any surprising habits you’ve picked up along the way.