How To Balance Being Frugal And Life

You can live a balanced life while being frugal!

Here's what I'm reading:

Frugality has this stigma that it is a life of deprivation where you have no social life, you have to give up the things you enjoy, and live in a tiny house; however, frugality is about finding a balance instead of living a life of extremes. In this video, I want to help you construct a new definition of frugality by comparing the experience of going to the gym with the experience of becoming and staying frugal. And hopefully by the end of this video, you can master the gym of frugality!

"The 5 Steps To Mastering The Gym Of Frugality"

1. The Hardest Part Of Frugality Is Breaking The Stigma

In the gym, the hardest part is not the exercise part, but it is the action of physical walking through the gym doors. The gym has the stigma that it is a miserable place where you feel judged, so most people dread going to the gym. Frugality has this stigma that it is a life of deprivation, which prevents many people from taking step in their life to become more frugal. The first step to master the gym of frugality is to ditch the very narrow definition of frugality and understand that frugality is simply about using money to bring value in your life without wasting anything.

2. There’s No One Way To Go About Frugality

There is no one reason people go to the gym. People choose to go to the gym for different reasons depending on the goals and choose to do exercises based on their goals. This is the same with frugality, there is no one way to be frugal. Depending on your goals and life circumstance, you will create your own goals to become more frugal. To say there is only one way to be frugal is like saying that everyone goes to the gym to become a bodybuilder. The second step to master the gym of frugality is to come up with your own "frugal exercise plan" based on your own life goals.

3. If You Create A Lifestyle Of Deprivation You Won’t Last Long

The key to making anything in life last long term is creating a healthy balance that you don't end up feeling like you're dreading the experience. Each New Year at the gym, many people try to go from couch potato to athlete overnight, that they quickly give up because the end up dreading the whole experience. To create a long lasting relationship it is important to create a balance. Regarding being frugal long term, the key is to create a lifestyle where you do not feel like you are depriving yourself. This basically means, "Identifying the things in your life that bring you value and keep those. Then, identifying the things in your life that are waste and get rid of those." The third step to master the gym of frugality is to create a lifestyle where you don't feel like you're depriving yourself.

4. Your Definition Of Frugality Will Change Over Time

Over time, your body will change and so you will change the way to work out throughout life. This is the same with frugality: over time your definition of frugality will change. As you get older, you goals, your needs, and your standards will change, so you will need to adjust your definition of frugality over time. A 25 year old and a 60 year old will define frugality completely different and that is because they are at different phases in life. The fourth step to master the gym of frugality is to know that youe definition will change over time and constantly be working on it.

5. Once You Make Frugal Decisions, You’re Always Happy You Did It

Sometimes when I go to the gym I am extremely ambitious, while other times I'm not; however, each time I leave the gym I am always happy I did it because I know I did something good for myself. This is the same with living a frugal life. When you choose to live intentionally by making frugal decisions you will always be happy that you did it because it leads to a better life.

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[ElAgustin]

What steps do you take at your phase of life to be frugal?

[AnnMitt]

I knew that I graduated from Frugal University when I felt pity for my coworkers who fell into the trap of weekly 💅🏽 manicures and hair salons appts every 6 weeks.

[catherinemurray]

I'm 56 and work 2 days a week to support my frugal lifestyle. To me time to do what I want is very important, as I enjoy my hobbies, getting outside into nature, gardening and reading. It's absolutely true, my life is constantly changing, though my frugal lifestyle has supported me through every phase.

[gailtester]

Frugality at age 68 is to build a legacy to leave my children and grandchildren and/or to insure I never have to be a burden on them if I need elder care. I've been frugal so long it's not a burden. Just a way of life☺️

[kenyonbissett]

I first became frugal to avoid bankruptcy and losing our home. Then it became a way to get the things we wanted (kayaks, cars, etc). We also took vacations every year that we wanted (mountains, beach, etc. We maxed our retirement contributions, had a paid off home. My husband retired at 45. He decided to go back to work but that was his choice. We had many opportunities because we were frugal.

[sandramaki]

Love the weird guy with the YouTube channel! That part made me laugh out loud. 😂Time spent on your financial and physical fitness is never wasted. Great analogy!

[kevinvernal]

Life is easy…

If you practice “simplicity”.

- Me

[danicegewiss]

We are frugal and interact. Thursday we're going to the mountains of Western PA. We saved for it. We're renting a cabin in a state park. It's only for a few days. There's an event we are attending. It should be a relaxing trip. Yes, you can have fun and be frugal. I lift at home. I do it a few days a week. Each time the goal is to do more reps easier. What weird guy on YouTube? We think you're just fine...a level headed young man we wish was our son.

[eddiestilll]

4:50 AUGUSTIN!! you are not a weird guy and even if you were, we all appreciate ya here on youtube 😂

[bewusstsein]

my personal problem is.... i bought an expensive guitar.. i want to have it and i feel no regret as of today.. that makes happy and living my dream.. i know i must live below my means but there is a few exception.. btw thanks austin

[workinprogresssince]

We're also hardwired to believe that 'things to do' means spending money, that nothing that is free could possibly be interesting or a good way to spend your time. I've never been a coffee shop person. Exercise doesn't have to cost money. Holidays don't have to mean a 5 star resort.

[rhondalyn]

Austin! Please!! I've been a certified fitness instructor for 26 years. I teach aqua aerobics in a class called "Boot Camp". The ladies (of ALL ages) in my classes could run circles around young you. Water aerobics is NOT just for old people. Come to my class and let me teach you that. Thank for for understanding and thank you for, never again, saying "If you are an old person you might want to do water aerobics." 🙂

[rocioocampo]

Very wise for a young man 😊 im still learning at 55 years old

[plappin]

As someone who has been frugal for 35+ years and been going to the gym/pool/running even longer, I think the similarity is that it's a discipline whose dividends (no pun intended) pay off both in the here and now and, even more dramatically, over time. Also, there may be periods when you lose your mojo -- usually a sign you need to back off a bit -- but you can always pick it up again (and you won't be starting from zero). Finally, like going to the gym, it's never too late to start being frugal. Great video as always, Austin!

[petewolfsehr]

Excellent guidance once again Austin! I don't go to the gym, rather I walk to the Fred Meyer store about 2 and a half miles from my apartment at about 4 or 5 in the morning. Is great excercise and I get the benefits of the endorphins to start my day

[av]

“And even go to the disco 🕺 “ love your advice ❤

[bessieoriotis]

Austin, you have such an open mind toward life. You listen to others views
and you listen carefully, but it doesn't
stop you from coming up with good
ideas and being up to date on life. ❤

[donaldswanson]

I do 40 minutes or so of lap swim every day except maybe Christmas day. I stopped going to the weight room in college many years ago. Many days i expect not to enjoy the swim but i enjoy it every single time. I sometimes remind myself going in that i have never failed to enjoy a swim.

[katherinepace]

Nice analogy. I think about money management like I do about weight management. You have to track calories/spending to meet your goals, but you have to be in balance and not too extreme or you will feel deprived and binge! It helps me to track my spending and evaluate monthly to see if there are areas I feel I can cut back, if the spending isn't "worth the calories" so to speak!

[unplugged]

It's all about starting small and making things a habit than being motivated. I just do mostly body weight stuff from home after I have my morning coffee. People I havent seen in a while all seem to say I've gotten jacked compared to how skinny I was when they last saw me, despite actually weighing less.

Sure I can probably can get better results going to the gym and lifting weights, but the fact I can do my workout from home most likely made me consistent with it over the past few years.