8 Frugal Habits For Life (2023)

My frugal habits!

Here's what I'm reading:

Frugality is not that phase of life I am in right now. It is a lifestyle that I will carry on for as long as I am alive. There are many habits that I have and in this video I share eight of them.

1. Not Falling For The Hype

Most things in this world are just hype. They are things that are built up by the media and other forces that subconsciously sculpt our opinion of a product. Many products that are hyped up often come at a high price tag that require people to spend more money; however, the hype does not mean that it is a better product or service. As a frugal person, I form my own opinion about things and do not get caught up in all the hype.

2. Treat Treats As Treats

Many people spend their money in ways where they are constantly indulging. Many people have a financial diet that mainly consists of treats. When someone constantly treats themselves, (1) they lose appreciation and (2) they create an unsustainable financial situation. As a frugal person, I create a financial diet that doesn't consist of only treats, but only treat myself every now and then.

3. Understand What You Have

You might live an extremely luxurious life without realizing it. We often take for granted the luxuries in life we have like clean water or strong shower pressure. Instead, we focus on a high amount of material wealth as a luxurious life. As a frugal person, I made sure I understand the luxuries I have and when I do that, I do not have as much of a desire to seek the superficial definition of luxury of having a bunch of material wealth.

4. Cut Waste, Not Spending

Being frugal is not about being cheap and not spending money, but it is about cutting the waste out of your life. Many people waste hundreds of dollars a month on things like expensive groceries, amazon shopping, or eating out, and these things do not provide much in return. As a frugal person, I make sure that every dollar I spend is bringing value to my life and not just being wasted.

5. Wake Up One Hour Before Leaving The House

Many people do not feel as if they have enough time to do things like make breakfast or enjoy their morning cup of coffee. Instead, many people rush out of the house and go the convenient route of going through a drive thru to pick up something quickly. This is not only expensive, but it also makes you stressed out. As a frugal person, I make sure that I have enough time in the morning to complete my daily tasks so I can not only save money, but I start the day off right.

6. Don’t Deprive Yourself

The key to making something last long term is by creating a healthy relationship with it. Many people approach something like frugality from an extreme standpoint that they quickly give up and go back to having an unhealthy relationship with their finances. As a frugal person, I make sure that I never feel as if I am depriving myself and treat myself every now and then.

7. Always Consider Your Future Self

The thing about personal finance is that it is personal. You are the one that is going to have to deal with the consequences of your financial actions. Many people make financial decisions that end up screwing over their future self. As a frugal person, I always make sure that my financial decisions will not hurt me in the present or in the future.

8. Valuing Time Over Stuff

Most people do not have an abundance of money and resources to have everything they want in life. The majority of people need to make compromises and when you really boil it down you can either use your money on stuff or time. As a frugal person, I choose to spend less money so that I can have more control over my time.

** Links above are affiliate links where if you click and order, I will receive a commission at no cost to you. **

[ElAgustin]

What's another frugal habit you will have for life?

[asavannah]

If you want more money, it is easier to spend less, than it is to work more!

[asavannah]

My flight attendant colleagues buy fast food all the time. I just eat the free food onboard or bring something from home.

[Grrrrrrr]

Make soup and don’t waste any food. I also make bread twice a week this alone saves me so much money! I also have a no spend week every month where I shop the freezer 🙏

[oscarfelix]

I just thought of one. Take care of the things you own. Keep your home, auto, etc. in tidy and working order. It fosters discipline and shows you respect yourself.

[katherinepace]

Great points! Frugality is indeed a lifestyle. It is not being cheap, but being mindful, so that money is your servant, and not the other way around.

[susandean]

A frugal habit I will have for life is following a vegan diet. Oats, beans, lentils, bananas, potatoes and rice are some of the most economical items in the supermarket.

[barbaraluna]

Most days I wake up one hour before whatever I need to do so I can relax with my coffee and morning routine…so important to start your day off right!

[gracebassekle]

frugality is how i will strive for liberation!

[joseppijay]

The 8 HABITS: 1.) Not falling for the hype -Example: Girl scouts cookies 2.) Treat treats as treats -Ex: the Daily latte 3.) Understand what you have, Luxuries like Ex: indoor plumbing. 4.) Cut waste, not spending -Ex: overpriced groceries, Whole Foods? 5.) Wake 1 hour before leaving the house -Ex: Disrupt one’s Stressful mornings 6.) Don’t deprive yourself -Ex: small decisions everyday. 7.) Always consider your future self -Ex: credit 💳card debt. 8.) VALUE Time over Stuff -Ex: “widgets”

[injanhoi]

I'm eating only 1 meal a day. My body is completely used to it so it is not a hassle. I am saving heaps. I think people waste too much money on food.

[oscarfelix]

This is my 3rd post here. I set my clock 1 hour ahead. I'm not recommending this to others but it was life changing for me before I retired. It caused me to get up early and have a relaxed morning as you stated. I was never late for work or appointments and my blood pressure stayed down. Even though I never forgot the clock was 1 hour ahead of time it still set me up for success every day. Did it for years.

[taniaagius]

You amaze me by always finding new ways of frugall living. One quote that i love is 'He who buys what he DOESN T NEED one day he CANNOT buy things he REALLY NEEDS

[TimelordUK]

Treat treats as treats and not a financial diet of ABSOLUTELY LOVED that Very clever. You are such a good writer Agustin. You've got me for life xx

[snogcel]

So right about Girl Scout cookies! 30 years ago my wife and I had a girl scout troop, and when cookie selling time came around we told the moms and dads that if they really wanted to help their daughters enjoy scouting, just make a small donation directly to our troop rather than blowing tons of money on Girl Scout cookies. Bake your own cookies or buy them and a bakery and you'll enjoy much better cookies, and a simple five dollar donation directly to our troop had the same value to the girls as buying ten boxes of those mediocre cookies! Needless to say, we weren't to scout council's favorite people!

[danicegewiss]

Girl scout cookies are there to help them pay for camps and such. Aldi's has excellent impersonations for way less money. We make a meal every week that is an impersonation of restaurant food. This week I'm making the Cracker Barrel meatloaf. Eating out weekly is something that is relatively new in our society, never mind more times weekly. My coffee maker brews coffee as we get ready. So it's ready when we get up. It irritates me to no end when a driver headed to McDonald's or Wawa to get coffee is tailgating me. I'm driving above the limit. Make your own damn coffee. You won't be such a jerk on the road in the morning!

[judyduncan]

You are my favorite person to follow. I appreciate how down to earth you are.

[andrewk]

"Cut waste not spending." totally shifts my perspective on saving money. Thank you!

[judithholleran]

Amen. Girl Scout are so expensive. I don’t buy them anymore.

[marjamesquire]

My comment: say no to nail salons. Learn to do your own manicures 💅🏼 and pedicures. Honestly, if you can’t reach your toes (too fat or pregnant), get a relative to paint the toenails. I have a waitress friend who pays $70/every other week for her fake nails. She barely makes that much in a shift if that. Whereas I have a UV light gel nail set from Walmart. Resist the temptation! Don’t go to a salon! They’re generally rude anyway and if not to your face, then in another language behind your back