10 Frugal Living Rules For Spending Money On Yourself

Spending money on yourself isn't bad if you do it the right way. Here's how.

My Favorite Personal Finance Books

Chapters

00:00 Start Here
00:34 Be Intentional
01:32 Treat Yourself Instead of Creating Habits
02:47 Buy Complexity
03:48 Maximize Your ‘Lazy’ Return
04:59 Make The Most Out of The Purchase
05:50 Buy More Experiences And Less Stuff
06:43 Know If The Spending Is Ending or Beginning At The Initial Purchase
08:08 Don’t Live Your Life Based On Someone’s Else’s Expectations
09:33 Don’t Center Your Decisions Around Math
10:25 Break The Rules

Spending money on yourself is the key to living a balanced life; however, you should do it in a way that doesn't harm you financially. In this video, I explain 10 frugal living rules for spending money on yourself.

1. Be Intentional

People run into financial problems when they are not intentional. Many people go into stores and buy things without knowing what they're going to buy and just impulse shop. It is important to be intentional when you spend money on yourself and know what you're going to get.

2. Treat Yourself Instead of Creating Habits

It is important to treat yourself every now and then, but it shouldn't cause you financial problems. Treating yourself becomes a problem when it becomes a habit. It is important to treat treats as treats and only treat yourself on occasion so it doesn't turn into a big expense.

3. Buy Complexity

When I spend money on myself, one rule I set is to buy things that are complex and I can't do on my own. An example of this is buying a fancy breakfast instead of something that I can make at home. When I buy complex things, I do not feel like I am wasting money because I am maximizing my money spent.

4. Maximize Your ‘Lazy’ Return

There are moments in life when we feel lazy and want to take the easy route. Whenever you feel this way, it is important to seek the easy route, but maximize your return. For example, getting a meal might save you an hour whereas getting a coffee might save you five minutes. Maximize your money being spent

5. Make The Most Out of The Purchase

Whenever I spend money on something to treat myself, I always try to maximize the money being spent. For example, if I get a cup of coffee, I will make sure that I enjoy the experience of the coffee shop, so I am making the most out of my money being spent.

6. Buy More Experiences And Less Stuff

When I decide to treat myself, I prefer to buy more experiences and less stuff. When you buy an experience, you enjoy it in the moment, but long after you still have the memory of the experience. Whereas when you buy stuff, once it becomes obsolete, you no longer remember it.

7. Know If The Spending Is Ending or Beginning At The Initial Purchase

Whenever you buy something big, it is important to ask yourself the question, "Is the spending beginning or ending at the initial purchase." Sometimes we can buy things and it is just the start of the spending. Make sure you are ready to take on the extra spending.

8. Don’t Live Your Life Based On Someone’s Else’s Expectations

It is easy to feel like just because other people are doing things that you should do them too; however, this can cause you to miss out on things. Stay true to yourself and spend your money on things that bring you the most value.

9. Don’t Center Your Decisions Around Math

Often in the finance world, we can get caught up in the math side of money and base all of our decisions off of math. This, however, can cause you to miss out on things you enjoy. Spend your money on things you want rather than always trying to be mathematically logical.

10. Break The Rules

Although I establish these rules on myself, I think it is also important to break these rules. If you are always following certain rules then your life will be predictable and dull. So remember to break the rules every now and then.

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

[ElAgustin]

I'm curious, do you allow your dog to sit on your couch?

[tinanolan]

A dog really is your best friend. Best money I ever spent.

[sofiamor]

11:42 I am retired 71 years young... Have 2 dogs 9 years old and yes the spending from my pension is relatively big... But the value they bring to me, like walking with them by the beach, having theirs unconditional love and feeling they are my family( my sons live in far away countries) best the decision i have made... And make me walk at least 3 times a day...sooo I am very fit and more healthy 🎉😂

[chelseyschlutereichen]

I use the complexity rule, too. I always order something I wouldn't cook at home.

[mbank]

People that criticize you for that dishwasher part still don’t get the difference between frugality and cheap, needs vs want. The dishwasher is a good buy as it is your need as it saves you time and make your life easier. It’s not a luxury wants, no wonder why those people keep failing

[mpatreece]

I own a dishwasher and I still wash/dry dishes by hand. The warm water is relaxing to me. Plus, I get to stare out of the kitchen window while doing so.

[janebaker]

Star is gorgeous. Your viewing figures are going to shoot through the roof. I choose frugality in order to go to Paris a few times a year.

[jessicaspencer]

Animals are worth it! My dog is turning 12 in April. She's the best ever! ❤

[ANTONIOANDREARAMUNDO]

6:34 buy experiences, not stuff. That’s been my mantra for a year and a half and it’ll be forever. After I tried to impress people around me, buying a BMW with an installment plan and getting into debt I felt really depressed.. I sold it, left my corporate job and went to Australia to live the adventure of a lifetime. In 10-20 years I’ll remember the year spent there with the money I got back from the car sale but not the car itself. Buy experiences people

[PilouBen]

Amazing video, A friend of mine referred me to a financial adviser sometime ago and we got to talking about investment and money. I started investing with $150k and in the first 2 months, my portfolio was reading $274, 800. Crazy right!, I decided to reinvest my profit and get more interesting. For over a year we have been working together making consistent profit just bought my second home 2 weeks ago and care for my family.

[ALEJANDRAAGUILAR-umep]

You are the person who gives out the best frugal tips, I feel like you have the best logical answers when you explain the behavior because I have now learned why I do some things and I have been doing things how you recommend and they have been working great, you are the best and most humbled human 🥰

[belenc.]

I agree with you! When I buy takeout I make sure I only eat half and save some for another meal

[andrewminjiras]

You have a great program filled with important money advice. Don’t listen to the boobs who criticize you. You make a difference in my life of simplicity.

[shelqko]

My new dishwasher only uses 6.5 gallons per load. For my family of 3 I only run it every other day. I think this is being frugal and makes life a bit easier.

[PrincessLoX]

I LOVE that “does the spending begin or end?”. Thank you so much for these videos!

[LaundryFaerie]

For the first several years of our married life, we lived in tiny efficiency apartments and later in World War II-era housing, where I was the dishwasher. After a few years of that, I knew I preferred to have a machine do the work. Frugality is not about saving every penny, it's about putting your money to work in a way that makes your life better. If you enjoy washing dishes by hand, it doesn't make sense to buy a dishwasher. On the other hand, if washing dishes by hand is a task you despise, as I do, buying and using a dishwasher could drastically improve the quality of your daily life.

[alonememe]

8:48 Maybe people are expecting you doing the dishes in the river, only because you have channel about frugality 😄 BTW, I'm demanding outdoor vlog.

[kathrynstein]

I am a typical crazy cat lady with 20+ cats. The love & joy they bring me is priceless! Each month I plan to buy myself something (blouse, bath product, etc) for the next month. Waiting a month gives me time to change my mind and it creates excitement for me! My spending is a conscious decision and not a spur of the moment feel good spree.

[aleedersart]

I think shes your greatest purchase.
Such a beautiful pup

[hwvfpls]

Star will be a great addition to your life Austin pup-a-roos are the best friends we can have! She's a beauty : )