Staying Frugal in a Consumer's World

By: Martin Lukac
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:17:39
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It can hard to find the support to be frugal. We live in a society that surrounds us with the buy now and pay later ideology of consumerism. It has led to stress and discontent in many households. In fact, many marriages break up due to financial issues.

How does the frugal person do it? Well, the key is that the frugal person isn't frugal because he or she has to be. There is always a choice. The frugal person is frugal because he or she can be. There is a reason, whether it be saving money or getting out of debt. And that reason has taken priority over having a new car or eating out every day.

The frugal person understands that each dollar goes somewhere. Actually, every cent goes somewhere. You choose where it goes. You may not have that choice when you are up to your ears in credit card debt. The bank is telling you that your money will go to interest.

Until you make the choice that says it won't by paying off your debts early and working stay out of debt. Basically, you are saying that your money goes where you say it does. You are taking control.

Most people aren't just throwing their money away. They just don't understand how it all really adds up and how it works. In fact, most are just undisciplined. You have to learn how to change the way you make choices. And that takes some thought.

Think about what you have currently been taught by the world.

That you need a new car and a nice, big house to be successful. That you can let paying things go until later. That a loan is the solution when you want something. That a shopping spree is all you need to cheer up. That savings will have to wait, you need the money now. That all sales are good. That credit cards are good. That pennies don't add up to anything.

Any of these ideas sound familiar? Well, what does frugal living teach instead?

1. How to be happy with what you have, not what you don't have.
2. Paying for things right now means you won't pay anything later.
3. Loans are only for items that appreciate, like a reasonably priced home.
4. Shopping doesn't make you happy, it leads to regret and stress.
5. If savings wait, so will retirement and a life of spending what you want where you want it.
6. Credit cards are not good. They are in the business of making money off of you. They don't do favors.
7. Pennies add up. They can add up against you in interest or add up for you in interest. The choice is yours.

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