5 Frugal Habits To AFFORD Living In The Future

The hipsters are making everything extremely unaffordable!

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The world is become outrageously expensive and the cost of living seems to keep increasing with no signs of stopping. Everything is becoming trendy and we are starting to only see options that cost an unnecessary about of money through gentrification. If we continue on this path, the future will be extremely expensive and hard to afford to live in. In this video, I share 5 frugal habits to afford living in the future.

1. Start Preparing For A Hard Future

I believe that in the future, AI will take a lot of jobs, the cost of living will continue going up, and wealth inequality will become more extreme than it is today. This is going to make it much more difficult to afford living in the future and although times are difficult right now, making changes and solving problems are much easier now than in the future. I find it important to recognize that the future will be much more complex and start preparing by paying off debt, building an emergency fund, and living a more frugal lifestyle.

2. Take Advantage Of Free Public Services

When I was living Ecuador, one thing I really came to appreciate was how amazing the free public services we have in the US are like libraries, public spaces, and national parks. I think we often take these services for granted and do not see the opportunity of finding hobbies related to these services. Many people connect all of their hobbies to spending money whether that is through shopping or some expensive sport, and I think that in the future things will become so expensive that people will become depressed because they can no longer afford these expensive hobbies. If you instead connect hobbies and finding joy through these free public services, the you can find joy in life regardless of how expensive the future is.

3. Invest More In “Real” Health Care

As we go in the future, spending money on doctor's visits, treatments, and medication will put many people in a tough financial spot. Often we view health care as paying insurance and taking medication, but this is "sick care." It's what you turn to as a last resort. We need to start rethinking health care as taking preventative steps to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoid spending a lot of money on doctor's visits and medications. It is important to focus on living an active lifestyle, eating healthy foods, and focusing on good mental health. In addition, it is important to remember that being frugal isn't about cutting corners and always saving money, but it is about sometimes spending more money on higher quality things to prevent expensive problems down the road. It is important to rethink health care and focus more on taking care of yourself.

4. Don’t Keep Up With Crazy

The world has gotten more crazy than normal due to technology. Constantly keeping up with technology will (1) make you slowly go crazy and (2) cost you a lot of money. It is important as we head into the future to reject and limit your technology usage so that you are not manipulated into spending a lot of money. When you instead live a more simple, frugal life focusing on not following the latest technological trends, you will live a much richer life.

5. Spend For The Future You Want To Live In

We often underestimate the power that we have as consumers and how our spending influences what future products and services will be created. When we spend money we are actually just voting and collectively, as a society, whatever receives the most votes will determine how expensive the future will be. If we all spend money unintentionally and accept that the world is going to be organic grocery stores and trendy restaurants, then the future will be very expensive. However, if some people choose to make intentional decisions to spend their money in a frugal way on affordable products and services, then a market will still exist making the future more affordable.

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[ElAgustin]

How are you preparing for the expensive future?

[richardbarry]

Thank you Austin. As a recent retiree I have to live on what I have for another 30 years or so. Here's what I am doing to make it. First, I do not own a car, as I can live anywhere which means have chosen a town that is walkable, bikeable, and has adequate public transportation. There are quite a few of these in the U.S. and the rankings are available on the internet. Second, I buy most of my clothes at thrift stores and if I do not use an item after a year, I donate it back to the thrift store. Third, I take walks in nearby parks and nature areas, and partake in local inexpensive activities such as museums, fairs, farmers' markets and the library. Also, I like to do activities that improve myself and are not based around consuming such as playing the guitar, drawing, reading, writing and resistance exercises at home. My health and mental state have improved, and my stress level has greatly declined. I have lost 40 lbs. and my blood pressure has declined by about 20 points, both systolic and diastolic in the last two years in response to my new routine. Your channel both reinforces and encourages me, and I hope others, to move away from the mindless work-to-consume rat race that our society has taught us to follow.

[amandazplace]

Can't agree more about habit #3. I've noticed a major change since 2020. My dentist retired in 2022. Purchased by a corporate owned dental practise. The dentist doesn't know me. The hygienists are paid to push procedures that aren't needed.
My doctor also retired in 2022. My new doctor is also under a corporate umbrella. When I see him, he doesn't even make eye contact. He is aggressive with referrals to specialists and prescribing meds.
Medical Labs, too, have been outsourced, so even with an appointment, we wait 2+ hrs to get blood work done.
It's all about making money, not caring for people. I told my husband we really need to take care of our health now.
♥️🇨🇦

[UsurpersAndAssassins]

Most peoples problems are self inflicted. They bring it on themselves by being lazy, arrogant, and irresponsible. Live simply, live responsibly.

[josephpeel]

We are all so lucky to have Austin ! He’s speaks the truth and we need to listen and support him…

[stacistaci]

I’ve been watching your videos for a while, this is my first time commenting. This is one of your best videos. We definitely vote when we spend our money on fancy restaurants and luxury items. And hipsters have been a problem in certain areas. Even with thrift stores. They used to be a great place where the working class who couldn’t afford some of the items new can find great items for cheap but because many hipsters and other affluent people caught on to thrift stores to find ‘vintage’ clothes and other items there, the prices have skyrocketed.

[corneliastelzer]

I understand what your saying, I am 68 & live a simple life. Everything I use is working just fine. Some people make fun of because I don't run out & buy the latest gadget or upgrade my technology. I don't go to Starbucks & do not own an airfryer.

[CAGChannel]

This was very timely on the hipster front. My son went to a sweet 16 party this weekend- “hey, how was it?” “My friend said it was being catered by a great place, but the tortillas tasted like cardboard, and there were all these topping that I didn’t even know what it was. Everything had no taste. I know they paid a lot, but the food was awful! They had lots of coconut water and weird stuff, but we were all digging around for any bottles we recognized, anything normal - even just water.”
Thought this was funny

[plappin]

Investing in your health is extremely important and I'm not sure why this seems like such a hard sell for so many people. While fast food is heavily marketed and the most readily available in many areas, does anybody think it's actually good for you? But millions opt for it anyway, and they're not all poor or time-strapped. You could say the same about alcohol, sodas, crappy processed snacks. It's cultural and for many, this IS American culture. I don't think human beings are naturally hard-wired to think in the long-term: it happens, but it's not the norm. This applies not just to individuals but to entire nations: nearly everything is short-term oriented. I think that's the crux of a lot of the problems we experience today. On that happy note, thank you for another thought-provoking video!

[ThisGenXLife]

I like free services too. Well i used too. Now my libraries and city parks are inundated with the homeless now.

[CC-krmr]

Congratulations Austin, you cracked the code of LIFE ❤🙏🏽

[rhondalyn]

I *love* living a simple, frugal life. It slows down time for me...a wonderful by product.

[aaron___]

Hey, I like my air fryer!

But I soon realized I didn't need it. I noticed the bicycle industry has been working hard at eliminating affordable choices, and yet people just keep up with the lastest even if it's 2 to 4 times more expensive.

[annpiers]

It's nice to hear somebody talking about the future i don't feel so alone with my worries.

[johnyboyproduction]

"when you spend your money, you are voting" I agree 100% hence why I try to only spend on products/company that are more ethical to encourage the growth of them compared to companies that abuse workers/the environment.

[mpatreece]

I'm far from being a "hipster" and regarding health, celiac disease is real. Not consuming gluten is on trend for some. For me, it's necessary unless I want to be doubled over in pain for weeks on end. The most complicated aspect of my life IS my diet and I must do whatever it takes to afford it. Preparing meals at home is my best option.

[stevebubar]

Awesome video Austin! Save for security and enjoy experiences without spending for it! Nature! Nothing beats it.

[PsiologaLilyValentina]

Thank you Agustín. Basic things, such as food, are already very expensive. We the normal people need to learn to live with less. Life is now a scary rollercoaster. Saludos desde Ciudad de México

[onewomanandsomesongs]

I'm old, retired with no debt and our mortgage is paid off. My hubby and I also have pretty good retirement savings. We live pretty comfortably just on Social Security for now. I feel bad for young people. We Boomers did have it much easier in many ways, although I've always been frugal because you don't know what the future holds....you have to prepare for that. Great video.

[TPayne-fmie]

Get out of the city as fast as you can. Twelve years ago, I left Seattle for a nearby rural area. Best decision ever.