Is frugal living important to you? In no way do I live as resourcefully as I could. I do, however, think about it often.
I think living more frugally would be a wonderful thing. I wish I were able to give up the things I don’t necessarily need. I am already careful about having extras of things I already have—I always have been that way. Except with clothes. And shoes. And makeup. And accessories. I am a young lady, after all. I NEED these things. Okay, I don’t. I realize I have a problem. When my parents or friends try to talk me out of buying things I don’t need but that I HAVE to have, I hit them with, “But I EARNED this money. I serve my country and make good grades and I do this and that to deserve it, and if I wait to buy it, I may not have the money…” They can’t come up with a good enough way to counter those brilliant excuses! About my problem…Is it really a problem? I mean, we work to make money. Why do we want this money? To have the things we need. And WANT. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t live an overly-privileged life. I was given a second-hand car (not by my parents) and it counted as a gift for every holiday for that year. I am putting myself through college. I have to work for what I have. I don’t have a lot of extra things compared to many people my age that I know. Nevertheless, I do spend money on things I don’t need.
Living a completely frugal life would be immensely satisfying. I would be happy to reduce my spending, and my need to “keep up with the Joneses.” It would leave me less stressed, more prepared and wealthier. But how far should this giving things up go exactly? Okay, so I can live without buying anymore shoes for a while, and I don’t need another pair of expensive sunglasses. But beyond the extras like that, what should I do without? I can buy used things like textbooks, furniture, etc from now on. Doing away with the little things like buying bottled water or soda will make a big difference. Comparison shopping will also help a great amount. I can give up going out as much, and instead find cheap entertainment.
Doing these things will allow me to save money and enable me to be well-prepared for my future. What measures do you take to live frugally?
You might give up these things, but there are others who will refuse to give these up. This thought process comes from reading 'Why Bother' in Essentials to Arguments book. I am not wanting to discourage your progress in living green. There are other ways in which to live. If you look up 'Simplicity Living' it's all about a movement and trying to get peeople to not be so apathetic towards the enviornment and helo a cause in whatever way works for you.
ReplyDeletePacito is right, many people will refuse to give up many things like their Iphones and laptops. When I took my ecological footprint quiz I was amazed at the result. Since then I have been trying to be more resourceful and green. Every time I do a little something I like to think someone else will get that same idea.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about trying to live frugally--and also about not succeeding at it! I'm very frugal with my own money; I carried around a twenty from my Christmas money for close to three months, and in the end gave it away instead of spending it. At the same time, though, my family is well off, and my mom and I both say "I love you" by giving things--so if I really want something, all I have to do is say so, and I'll probably get it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a delicate problem--two approaches to frugality that aren't either of them exactly frugal!
you know if you decided to live a more frugal life then more power to you. it doesnt really matter what these other people do in their lives as long as you are living the way that makes you happy to be honest. I personally think I am pretty frugal. In my freshman year I honestly spent under 400 dollars (just on things in one year besides books and school things) granted I had the luxury of points and meal exchanges. The only other things that I spent money on was the occasional outside campus food special or party place to get into. In my room both me and my roomate never have a tv or anything fancy. We both brought just what we needed, a plane jane room and we both enjoyed it. Of course though it is always nice to have things you want----seems to me that sounds very american. ehhh sometimes i wonder what it would be to live like not knowing what it is to never go hungry, or shelter over my head
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