Kali Hawlk is a freelance writer and blogger with a passion for helping twentysomethings learn to manage their money and live well on less. When she’s not out on a run, she blogs about personal finance and more at CommonSenseMillennial.com.
Although I hate to admit it now, the truth is I used to be far from frugal. I frequently gave in to the desire to accumulate more stuff, material things, clutter, and junk. Remarkably, I never went into debt, but I certainly didn’t have anything left over at the end of each month to save. I coveted what other people had that I couldn’t afford.
I was miserable without what I thought I had to have, but even when I went on a shopping spree, the happiness was quick to fade. Before the day was done, I would be back to being bored, sad that I didn’t have what someone else had, or feeling bad about the way I looked and wondering when I’d have enough clothes to make me feel good about myself.
I used shopping and spending as a cure for boredom, a way to relieve stress, and to improve my mood and confidence. Unfortunately, at the time I didn’t understand that I was choosing a really bad coping mechanism for dealing with my problems.
I wish I had some sort of financial epiphany that made me see the error of my ways (it would be a fitting story for a financial blogger with ideas about what twentysomethings should know about money). But what turned my spending around – and what ultimately saved my budget from being annihilated every month – was a habit I gained: Running.
It was this simple activity – something that we’re all born to do – that allowed me to kick the comparison habit, stop wanting what I didn’t have (to start appreciating everything I already had), and helped me develop a greater self-confidence. Running gave me a purpose I didn’t have before.
Suddenly, every afternoon I had a task to complete; I went for a run, cross-trained, did strength training, or took a rest day and went for a walk instead. A less-than-stellar season on the high school track team that ended in multiple injuries and embarrassing showings during competition left me feeling as though I had something to prove, so I was extremely motivated to work hard and succeed.
Becoming a runner made me healthier in every way: physically, mentally, and fiscally. Though the physical benefits were an obvious plus, I was surprised when I realized I had made positive financial changes, too. I quit going shopping for crap I didn’t need. New clothes didn’t make me feel confident; my belief in myself and what I could do made me feel that way. I started saving all the money I previously would have spent on more stuff that was supposed to make me feel happy, but didn’t.
Before I started running, I’d often feel drained and miserable. Becoming a runner made me feel energized, inspired, and motivated to work hard in every aspect of my life. I realized how much I had the ability to save, and I made a plan to stick with a strict budget and make the most out of my small income. I started setting ambitious goals and then throwing myself into making my dreams into realities. Without a doubt, I wouldn’t have found the drive to start up a blog, pursue a career as a freelance writer, and start making plans to quit my day job to travel full-time if I never found myself as a runner.
Now, when I am bored, I go for a run (or at least a walk) or work out instead of riding in my car to the mall. When I feel sad, I go for a run instead of sitting on my butt in front of the computer for a marathon session of online shopping. When I am stressed, depressed, or confused about something, I go for a run instead of lying in bed, staring at the ceiling and moping.
Whenever things are bad or not right, I go for a run and everything is okay.
What do you do to save your budget and reduce your spending?
What a great and healthy coping mechanism. I used to be the same way with shopping. Ironically, I think it was finally facing my sadness over the fact that we couldn’t have children that helped. These days when I am feeling down I am much more cognizant of WHY I am feeling that way, and I can confidently tell myself that shopping won’t help. I know I would rather save my money for our upcoming adoption than waste it at the mall.
It really is difficult to pinpoint why you’re feeling upset or sad – and often we don’t want to truly face our problems head on in order to answer that “why.” I’m glad you were able to acknowledge your feelings and can cope better – I think you’ve got great motivation on your side now, too, since you’re saving up to adopt a child!
Running is amazing. I’ve totally used it as a coping mechanism and every time I finish I feel better.
It’s really incredible all the things a good run can cure!
Training for my half marathon certainly cut down my gym costs at my peak! I was running so much it was almost too dangerous to keep up a membership. But it also gave me confidence to rock some of my clothes I had that were on the tighter side and it helped me kick a nasty soda habit too!
I had the same experience with the gym membership – once I started running I realized I didn’t need it. I got my cardio through running and cross training (biking and swimming), and I quickly learned that bodyweight exercises done at home saved me time, not to mention I liked doing those better than messing with machines or competing with mini-Hulks for the free weights. That membership got canceled pretty quickly 🙂
What a great way to drastically improve your life! Everyone knows the physical benefits of running, but the fact that it improved your emotional and financial well-being is definitely life changing. I actually read an article today about a 94 year old woman who is still running and loving her simple and healthy life. Hopefully we can all grow up to be so blessed. Great article.
I hope I am running into my 90s! Now that’s inspiring 🙂