Thursday, February 26, 2009

5 Things to Do When You Get Bored With Being Frugal

Turn off the lights. Check the receipt. Clip the coupons. And so on....Being frugal can get old and boring after a bit.

It's like adding 1 + 1. The answer is simple. Frugal living boils down to one principal: Save more than you make, and the rest is just commentary.

But boredom is dangerous. When I get bored with being thrifty, it's easier to fall of the thrift wagon. Here's how I keep frugal living real and fresh.


1. Pay Attention. When I'm fully engaged --really connected to the here-and-now -- I'm constantly learning and acquiring new insights. When I look for frugal lessons and metaphors on bus rides or radio commercials, the creative spark prompts me to save more money.

2. Check Financial Statements: Reviewing bank statement provides a reality check. If the account looks good, I'm encouraged and energized. If the account is anemic, I've scared myself out of a few frivolous shopping trips.

3. Call Frugal Friends: There are certain friends -- online and in-person -- who really inspire me to save. A conversation with them is like a booster shot.

4. Review Goals: A periodic review of financial and personal goals, usually provides fuel for another savings drive. I am instantly reminded of my plans to build an emergency fund, college savings accounts, a retirement nest egg and even an account for vacations.

5. Invest in Small Treats: Well-timed luxuries provide safeguards against binge spending. For example, my almost daily servings of organic blueberries fills me with a sense of wealth and well-being, and those feelings make me less likely to binge spend. Consider this post: Why Organic Blueberries Make Me Feel Rich



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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love this list! I'm going to share it with my readers next week. Thanks!
~Ife Thriftywahm.com

Anonymous said...

I agree with #5...have some type of incentive for your thriftiness. If you're thrifty just for the sake of being thrifty, what's the point?

Sure you know there is some level of financial value to it, but when you have some incentive for you, it makes being thrifty a little more enjoyable.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

Great list! I live a very frugal lifestyle but I like to think of it as I'm saving money so that I can afford to splurge every once in a while.

I usually buy organic fruits - its worth it to me. And I will splurge on going to exotic locations for vacation.

Thanks,

Jason