Save more, live well, give generously
My third article was just published on PTMoney.com. This latest post is on the debate over privacy versus frugality. What privacy sacrifices do you make to stay frugal?
This site, PTMoney.com, was founded by Philip “PT” Taylor in 2007. His blog and financial pursuits led him to found FinCon (“A peer conference for the financial blogging community”). Now, his website attracts 350,000 pageviews per month.
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-S.
Outside my apartment, I hear air conditioning buzzing along, dripping condensation on the concrete walkway. Neighbors are pumping the cool air at high volume. These popular window units line my housing complex, and some never cease to hum.
It’ll reach about 88 degrees today in the Midwest. The heat is paired with a jarring humidity. For some, the moisture in the air can feel heavy and burdensome; others, like me, prefer it to the dry climate of places like Colorado. My skin feels healthier and more vibrant in the humidity. But the reality is that it can lead to hefty beads of sweat traveling circuitously down foreheads, backs, and weighing down clothing.
Because of this inconvenience, many people blast their air conditioning. Office spaces, hotels, and movie theaters can be notorious for their abundant air. The climate control aims to keep people in work clothes, comfortable.
Strangely enough, this refusal and resistance to acclimatize with seasonal changes hampers your body’s ability to adjust to the heat. Our body needs time to get used to the winter and summer, but when we blast the heat or air conditioning, we actually prevent our body from self-regulating properly.
Amidst the biological considerations of this hearty air conditioning consumption are the consequences to your frugal goals. Air conditioning is one of the most expensive utilities to run. Oftentimes, air conditioning is run throughout the day. Rarely does the buzz cease.
The coolest points in the day are at night and early morning; yet, people that run air conditioning keep the windows closed – keeping the world out. It’s hard to even realize that you may not need the climate control when the windows are shut.
Critical consumption starts at home with basic utilities. Sweat is natural; albeit, sometimes uncomfortable. But turning off/down your air conditioning can make powerful financial implications over time, and benefit the environment, too!
How often do you use air conditioning? Do you wait to turn it on until a certain point in the summer? How much could you save by turning it off?
Read the Entire Series: Day 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
I’ve just completed my third full day of living and breathing without spending a dime. After becoming fed up with my spending habits, I decided to try an experiment. I called it, “The 7-Day Buy Nothing Challenge.”
Tuesdays are always an early start, as I have to be into work at 8 AM. I’m not a morning person, and my 6:30 AM alarm is relentless. Between catching the bus, packing my lunch, and showering, there’s hardly enough time to eat. Thankfully, I resorted to a healthy, backup breakfast of mine, “Banana Nut Oatmeal.”
While today offered some new challenges due to my busier schedule, it was an incredible learning opportunity. If I were not abstaining from spend, I would be in serious trouble. I’m beginning to wonder if I should do this more often. The cleanse really does feel rejuvenating and enlightening.
Over the last 24 hours I thought, “This is easy.” But then I wonder, “Why didn’t I do this sooner, earlier, before? Why did I have to wait until I was nearly $40,000 in debt to change my course?” Regret and confusion abound, as I question the decisions that led up to this breaking point. The stark reality is that it doesn’t matter how I got here. I’m here and in debt. Where do I go from here?
As I approach the half-way point for my little challenge, there’s a brewing feeling of success. After this 7 days, I look forward to feeling that. Similarly, I feel confident that I can make it. There’s an importance in setting small goals and recognizing the accomplishments that occur.
Refraining from any and all spending quickly leads to a dearth in fresh foods. Salads, fruits, etc. – they all have a relatively short shelf life. Knowing this, I bought a few Mandarin Oranges because they might last longer. Stupidly, I only bought three.
I know, I’m a graduate student and supposedly capable human being; yet, I didn’t buy at least seven oranges. There’s only one apple left. While I still have some salad, I know that I’ll run out before the week is done.
With any serious spending cleanse or lower-income, fresh fruits and vegetables are always the first to go. Often the unhealthy, prepackaged, processed products take their place.
Spending freezes necessitate strong organization and planning capabilities. The bus comes at 7:35 AM. There is no such thing as missing it. Later, I have a short break for lunch, and then I need to be at my other job at 1 PM. My watch holds a greater importance.
My breakfast was squeezed short this morning due to waking up a bit late. If I was any later, I might not make breakfast, and then I’d be starving – eager to find a meal wherever I could get it. This casual, lackadaisical approach is trouble. It’s where I’ve erred many times before.
Day 3: $0 Spent.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s report and follow along!
Read the Entire Series: Day 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
I participated in a medical study that paid me $36. To get there, I took a free campus/city bus. Breakfast wasn’t an issue or option today, as the research required that I fast. Starving and eager to eat, I finished the study and ran back home to avoid eating out. This is my second day of the Buy Nothing Challenge – that wasn’t an option.
Today was a series of checks to make sure I stayed on course. There’s a gut reaction that brews when you “need” something. I’m low on yogurt and the cereal is gone. These simple planning errors can’t be remedied by a short visit to the store. As long as I’m challenging my initial impulses, I’m not going to the supermarket.
Unfortunately, I didn’t wash my laundry before the experiment. The local laundromat would be yet another expenditure. For the next five days, I’ll definitely be craving some fresh clothes. Cravings always seem to be strongest for the things you can’t have. Maybe there’s a secret in those words to changing this reaction. Maybe not.
My girlfriend is coming back this evening, and I’d like to be able to take her out and have a fun time in the city. But, I’m on this strange adventure that precludes me from such choices. It feels abnormal to hold back like this. While it may be a good thing, it makes me think about what partners must go through when one becomes super frugal.
There’s a strange incompleteness to not purchasing something. I don’t really know how to explain it, but it’s a comical expectation. Why would I feel compelled or expected to consume and purchase goods? It almost feels engrained in our society that we aren’t a worthwhile component of the masses if we don’t spend.
I’m hardly an anti-consumer; heck, I’m not sure that’s possible as a human. But I don’t like the idea that I feel compelled to shop and spend – especially with the massive student loan debt I owe. The balance I aim to strike throughout this week is a realization and movement towards critical consumption. I do believe it’s my responsibility to develop and maintain a discerning eye towards products, marketers, and advertisements that try to suck me in.
I don’t want to fall for their tricks anymore.
What should I do outside of work? How should I fill the extra time? In a good way, not spending money has left me more time to write and concentrate on what’s important in my life.
Today I took the time to fix a pair of shorts. A button had popped off and I needed to sew it back. The only problem was that I’d never done it before. By spending the time to learn and sew the button back, filling my time had saved me even more than expected – how frugal of me!
With the rest of my time, which is ample in these summer months, I worked, read, watched Netflix, cooked, and walked outside. With the birds chirping peacefully and the Midwestern sun gracing luscious, green grass, I felt perfect. I had everything and bought nothing.
Day 2: $0 Spent.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s report and follow along!
