I'm currently writing from my cubicle on campus. As many of you know, I have been working as a research assistant this term for a former professor and thus now have my own space on campus. I'm just about to walk down to the MAX stop in order to transport home, hopefully beginning The Body Toxic on my train ride. Before I go though, I wanted to briefly write about the conversation I had this afternoon with some fellow graduate students/friends.
One of these individuals mentioned needing to live a more frugal existence and of course I responded with something along the lines of "oh that's right up my alley!" He then went over how much money he spends on a given week just for eating out and some of his other typical expenses. I was completely astounded! However they both were astonished at how little I do spend on groceries and going out expenses. It made me realize that even when I feel that I have been spending a lot, that I'm still far below others in my same age category.
So in an attempt to help, I did offer several suggestions for ways to cut back on expenses. Some of these suggestions included maintaining his current lifestyle but selecting cheaper options, and others were based on completely changing his current spending patterns. However in some ways I feel like the suggestions I offered probably went in one ear and out the other. When it's all said and done it DOES require a lifestyle change to majorly save money.
However that being said, I don't know that I feel that I miss out on much by only going out a couple of times a month with friends. Nor do I feel that I am short changing individuals in my life if I ask them to come hang out at my home over a cup of tea, rather than meet out somewhere. I also don't feel that by growing some of my own food, shopping mainly on the outer edges of the grocery store, and attempting to bring food from home most of the time that I am missing out nutritionally. When I buy a portion of my clothes second-hand, forgo most major name brands, and alter/create/repair items to wear, I still get many compliments on the way I dress. Instead I feel that my life is enriched by these choices and many more.
Sometimes it's just meeting people where they are though, and then slowly opening their eyes to other options that exist (and enrich). In the last week, I have had encouraging news from another friend, who really has taken my advice about paying off debts and is now hacking away at what he owes. While it can be an uphill battle at times, sometimes once you've made it over those first mounds the rush of no debt can be one of the best feelings of all. It's a feeling I'm looking forward to having myself again...that is...once I get these student loans payed off. ;-)
To home I go. Hope you all are having frugal evenings at home! Enjoy!
One of these individuals mentioned needing to live a more frugal existence and of course I responded with something along the lines of "oh that's right up my alley!" He then went over how much money he spends on a given week just for eating out and some of his other typical expenses. I was completely astounded! However they both were astonished at how little I do spend on groceries and going out expenses. It made me realize that even when I feel that I have been spending a lot, that I'm still far below others in my same age category.
So in an attempt to help, I did offer several suggestions for ways to cut back on expenses. Some of these suggestions included maintaining his current lifestyle but selecting cheaper options, and others were based on completely changing his current spending patterns. However in some ways I feel like the suggestions I offered probably went in one ear and out the other. When it's all said and done it DOES require a lifestyle change to majorly save money.
However that being said, I don't know that I feel that I miss out on much by only going out a couple of times a month with friends. Nor do I feel that I am short changing individuals in my life if I ask them to come hang out at my home over a cup of tea, rather than meet out somewhere. I also don't feel that by growing some of my own food, shopping mainly on the outer edges of the grocery store, and attempting to bring food from home most of the time that I am missing out nutritionally. When I buy a portion of my clothes second-hand, forgo most major name brands, and alter/create/repair items to wear, I still get many compliments on the way I dress. Instead I feel that my life is enriched by these choices and many more.
Sometimes it's just meeting people where they are though, and then slowly opening their eyes to other options that exist (and enrich). In the last week, I have had encouraging news from another friend, who really has taken my advice about paying off debts and is now hacking away at what he owes. While it can be an uphill battle at times, sometimes once you've made it over those first mounds the rush of no debt can be one of the best feelings of all. It's a feeling I'm looking forward to having myself again...that is...once I get these student loans payed off. ;-)
To home I go. Hope you all are having frugal evenings at home! Enjoy!
4 comments:
Once again you've written about something I was just thinking about not 5 minutes ago! We do have to meet people where they are, and convey things in a way that they are most likely to be able to absorb it. This is tricky sometimes, but you just never know when what you say can stick with someone and help them out later when they're ready to get it.
And I am having a frugal and cozy night at home too :)
I think its such a good thing to plant those seeds. It doesn't always mean people will use our advice, but it is nice to plant those ideas that will hopefully help them when they need it!
Right on! Excellent post. We have become a consumable society. During tough economic times it seems that those whom never gave a second thought to their desires (they just spent to get them) now have a reason to learn to live with more economy, which essentially is healthier, in many ways, for the environment and their health. For example, your comment about shopping the outside edges of the grocery store not only keep you away from convenience foods for better prices, but they give you better nutritional/health choices as well. I could go on --- but I won't. Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Such an important message! For a generation that has largely been taught that debt is a natural part of life, the idea of actually learning to live within ones means has become so innovative! Maybe your frugality-challenged classmate just needs some more time and bill payments to fully grasp what you shared with him.
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