Frugaling

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Frugal Articles of the Week

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I’m back with another terrific group of articles! The following share the themes of simple living and frugality. As an avid reader and writer about personal finance concerns, it’s interesting to see how reading more helps me focus on my goal of a better budget and savings. Hope these help you, too!

Thoreau, the First Declutterer by Danny Heitman
Have you ever read Walden by Thoreau? Well, if not, it’s about time! Thoreau is widely considered one of the foremost frugal fans of all time. He decided to move into a small cabin — isolated from much of society to write and reflect. In this article, the author points out how Thoreau modeled his life and can offer inspiration to others.

The Cloud Generation: No Longer Buys All The Things by Sheree Joseph
As technology has enabled people to forego physical clutter and fill cloud storage, minimalism is growing increasingly mainstream. The benefits are twofold: we’re buying and polluting less. Older generations have shown some hesitancy to trusting the cloud, while the younger, “Cloud Generation,” seems to be making the move in droves.

Stop Buying in Bulk by Eric Holthaus
It can be appealing to get 200 hot dogs, 20 bottles of ketchup, or a monster-sized jar of nuts. Big-box wholesalers such as Costco and Sam’s Club have made great businesses out of bulk sales. The math is generally simple: when you can buy more, you save more per item. But research is showing that we might not be saving as much as we hope.

The Best Waterfront Property Is Your Tent by Katie Jackson
This might be my favorite article over the last couple weeks. In a twist on tired travel guides, Outside Magazine proposes a waterfront property that isn’t yours to keep. But you’re welcome to have it tonight. Camping is one of the best ways to affordably travel, explore, and see the world.

Was Albert Einstein A Minimalist?

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Albert Einstein Laughing

Let me preface this essay by saying I’m not a “genius,” “theoretical physicist,” or “great thinker,” but I decided to pick up Einstein’s biography to learn about someone who’s been called all three. In 2008, the famed biographer and writer, Walter Isaacson, published Einstein’s story in a whole new light. His book catalogues the many triumphs, tribulations, and everyday struggles of the man who has become so revered.

As I read this 704-page tome, the very essence of Einstein came alive. Isaacson is a skilled writer, but he was homing in on something unique about his main character. Einstein extolled and lived for a simple life.

Albert Einstein is remembered for his brilliant discoveries in the field of physics. Without going too far into the weeds, he theorized about relativity and gravity. He felt they overlapped and coalesced. For instance, that light would bend in travel because of the sun’s gravitational pull. At the time, these were maddeningly complex ideas with little experimental support. Despite the novelty and unknowns, he stuck his neck out — time and time again. He didn’t bend or sway to convention, and it ultimately made him famous around the world.

Throughout the book, Einstein is heralded for derision of power, authority, and status quo. Even greater, he seemed to attack the fundamental strictures and culture of materialism. It’s clear that his simple living values made him a better, more unique thinker. Without a doubt, Einstein was an early pioneer for minimalism in the face of excess. And here are 5 reasons how he was a minimalist:

1. He idealized simple lifestyles

Einstein was fascinated with bohemian living. Even in early letters to his first wife, he professed that they shouldn’t ever be trapped by society’s expectations. He seemed to love the idea of eschewing what so many wanted. Einstein loved bohemianism, as he found creativity and passion in literature, music, and science. He commingled the three and crafted magical mental imagery of difficult physical constructions. Self-described bohemians were countercultural, just like the beatniks, hippies, and hipsters of generations to come.

2. He disliked bourgeois pursuits

He consciously avoided upper class trappings. This is captured perfectly by a quote in the book. When traveling to another city, he stayed on an office couch instead of a hotel. His friend said, “This was probably not good enough for such a famous man, but it suited his liking for simple living habits and situations that contravened social conventions.” Fame didn’t mean he would suddenly change his way of living. The rebel inside him allowed for success.

3. He gave away much of his wealth

He feared that fame and wealth might affect and degrade people’s ability to live creatively. Einstein gave generously and even dedicated all the Nobel Prize winnings to his first wife. He didn’t crave wealth, nor did he live by its swings. Einstein enjoyed good coffee, cigars, and conversation. Money allowed for those staples, but otherwise was relatively unnecessary. The power of wealth could’ve purchased many conveniences and statuses, and yet he downplayed its ability. Take this passage from the book: “From Prague, Einstein took the train to Vienna, where three thousand scientists and excited onlookers were waiting to hear him speak. At the station, his host waited for him to disembark from the first-class car but didn’t find him. He looked on to second-class car down the platform, and could not find him there either. Finally, strolling from the third-class car at the far end of the platform was Einstein, carrying his violin case like an itinerant musician.”

4. He ignored conventions

Much like the Mark Zuckerbergs of today, Einstein didn’t follow social norms for dress. Comfort was the more important factor. His hair grew unruly in later life. It was iconic for him, as he was this renowned genius, but I believe that this was a subtle rejection of cultural mores. Einstein wanted to show he was unique in both thought and modest dress.

5. He took time for independent thought

Above all, Einstein’s genius was in his ability to isolate and focus. For days and weeks at a time, he could hole up in his study and work. He didn’t eat regularly, nor did he pay attention to much around him, but in that solitude, he solved some of the greatest questions of all mankind. His habits often made him cold and cantankerous, but it also cultivated a lifelong independence. Simple time alone was vital to discovery.

I’m nearly finished with the book, but these discoveries were too hard to hold back. I figured I’d share them with you as soon as I could. Within these passages, quotes, and stories, I see a man that feared the trappings of privilege. He was a social advocate, scholar, and seeker.

In a way, I wonder if I share something with Einstein: a fear of ever having more than enough. I fear what money can do, and how some people embrace elite statuses at the cost of others. If Einstein were alive today, I’d ask whether he feared he might lose his creativity if he lived more lavishly. My guess is that he would say “yes.”

Oh, one more thing, read his biography: Einstein: His Life and Universe.

5 Common Myths Of Frugality

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The word “frugal” is frequently synonymous with an unflattering list of words. The most common one I’ve heard is “cheap.” But what I’ve noticed is that when words like that are thrown around, they often represent a stereotypical idea of frugality. People who’ve adopted a frugal mentality might balk at those descriptors because they tend to discount, under-appreciate, and confuse this philosophy around money.

Every now and then I like to revisit the definition of frugality, as it bears repeating. This time, I figured I’d address a snapshot of the many myths I regularly hear regarding this way of living. The following are five popular assumptions/myths that people tend associate with frugal living.

Myth 1: Buy the cheapest products possible

If someone has a surface-level understanding of frugality, they tend to assume that I shop for the cheapest everything. From shampoo to razors to coffee to cars to bikes to phones, the myth is that frugal people scour the world for the cheapest option every time.

In reality, I tend to shop for the top and work my way down. I try to understand what the “best” products are selling and see if I truly “need” what they’re offering. Similarly, I search for similar abilities in more affordable products. Who wouldn’t want to save money and get the features of a more expensive product?!

Also, cheaper products don’t always pay off in the long run. Various problems can occur from poor resale values to early failure. I have two examples that come to mind. In both of the following instances, long-term planning pays off better than short-term savings.

First, disposable, plastic razors are one of the cheapest ways to shave upon looking at the face value. But these razors don’t last as long, rust quicker, and do not shave as closely. In total, that actually results in spending more money over time. How anti-frugal!

Second, a cheap Windows laptop might cost $400 to $500. Again, on face value, this seems cheaper than an Apple laptop for $900. It takes a critical eye to parse apart the savings. For starters, an Apple computer is more reliable and powerful than the ~$450 Windows computer. You’re paying for that though, so not very frugal yet. The real cost savings comes with resale value. Because of the power and dependability, Apple computers retain their total value for longer periods of time. That $900 purchase price degrades at a lesser percentage each month.

Myth 2: Never pay full price

This one is tricky. No one wants to pay full price for anything. Sales, deals, coupons, and special savings entice us. I promise, they affect my buying and likely sway you, too. Grocery stores and malls are full of these opportunities. Heck, some of us wait for weekly ads to make our purchases!

In the end, we hate paying full price so much that we will spend countless hours over our lifetimes scoping out deals. But the frugal person doesn’t necessarily focus on the sale to buy a product. The key is buying it consciously, with intention, and through savings — not credit. Being a frugal consumer means avoiding purchases because of sales. Sales shouldn’t be the catalyst for purchases.

When you focus on a new item for purchase, it’s important to consider the place it has in your household. New shoes might be vital to your job. Rather than focusing on the “savings,” concentrate on the value. What shoes will stand the test of time, be comfortable, and limit future purchases?

Like before, the full-priced option may actually be better than the sale deal. Evaluate sales carefully. End of year or last year’s models might actually be a great deal, though. The point is, this myth is reductionistic and oversimplifies the complicated task of staying frugal.

Myth 3: Avoid adventure

Personally, I never want my frugality to be boring, limiting, or burdensome to trying new things, experiencing cultures, and developing a greater appreciation of the world around me. While yes, travel tends to be expensive, there are ways to adventure and take advantage of the world around you.

Perhaps it includes attending a free concert or talk at a local university/library. Perhaps it means taking a long bike ride around your city. Perhaps it means strategizing a bonus miles credit card to reduce ticket costs.

Regardless of the method, travel and adventure can be made more frugal. It takes forethought and planning. While many people buy tickets on a whim or whenever they’re gearing up for a flight, frugal people tend to find dates earlier on and book tickets then. The savings is often greater further away from a flight date.

Even more, the frugal philosophy necessitates a new definition for adventure. It seems that many people associate spending money with “fun.” The reality is far easier. We needn’t spend money to enjoy life. Adventure is right out your door — all it takes is a perspective change and appreciation of the world’s natural offerings. Hike, run, read, walk, chat up a future mate — whatever!

Myth 4: If you must eat out, tip poorly

The more brutal stereotype of frugality states that we tend to cut costs everywhere we go. If we eat out, we’ll likely tip poorly because that’s an opportunity to save.

Frugality needn’t be at the cost of others. In fact, that’s an ethically dubious version of this cost-saving and life-affirming philosophy. Savings shouldn’t undercut another way of living or punish others. If you’re a poor tipper and don’t recognize that servers don’t make much as an hourly wage, you should avoid eating out altogether because that’s the more frugal option anyways.

Most of the time, I tip about 15 to 20 percent for good service. If it’s bad… Well, all rules are off. Eating out is a treat for me — rare compared to the amount I eat in. When I do treat myself, I try to be respectful to those serving me, as well.

Myth 5: It’s hard to maintain

We are not born into a world that advocates for frugality. Choosing this lifestyle takes years of relearning and backtracking. Surrounded by advertisements and marketing for products we likely could avoid or go without, we are not accustomed to avoiding purchases. In that sense, it can be challenging to initiate frugal living.

Once you’ve started living with less, reduced spending becomes more habitual and quotidian. It’s all about relativity. When spending is reduced gradually over time, the cuts are less effortful. Then, when you reach a basic level of spending, maintenance can occur.

This stage requires less consideration for purchases and decisions. Maintenance doesn’t require rethinking spending patterns, reformulating grocery lists, etc. All you need to do is continue at the same rate and frugality will be yours!

Every now and then, opportunities to buy something will crop up despite your maintenance, and you’ll feel the pull to purchase. When that occurs, it’s important to recognize what motivates your frugal life. Why did you start living frugally in the first place?

Frugality is a philosophy and way of living. And many of the myths and assumptions that people carry about frugality are wrong and/or exaggerated. It’s bigger than simply spending less. It is a conscious philosophical decision to save money where you can to enjoy what you love.

We Could Only Bring The Essentials

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Camping is in tents!

I was caked in an unknown quantity of sand, dirt, sunscreen, deet, and sweat. Every time I splashed water on my face, a brownish liquid ran off. As I looked in the mirror, my skin appeared darker by a few shades, with a reddish tinge. I had little doubt that I was developing a burn. Bug bites occupied nearly every part of my body — from head to toe. Three days in the Great Sand Dunes National Park had turned me into a mountain man with overgrown scruff. I was ready to try out to become the next Brawny man.

In this beautiful, alien landscape, I sat crosslegged with a book, ran through the sand, and generally paused to reflect. Life’s busyness faded momentarily, and the only nerves present centered on lightening and bears. These were real threats — everything else was illusory.

With my brother along for the ride, we entered the park with some essentials. There was the two-person tent, camp stove, water, food, matches, and our books. The agenda was two-fold: relax and adventure. I’m proud to say we succeeded on both accounts. We took a long night hike amidst the sand dunes, and relished in the opportunity to read along the river.

As I reflected on the trip, I couldn’t help noticing the takeaway: living simply is restorative.

Many consider camping to be rejuvenating, as people can reconnect with the world. But how can that be if we were missing many of our creature comforts? Heck, my brother and I practically slept on gravel! If we can somehow make do without superfluous items while camping for few days, why do we suddenly need them when we get home?

In regular society, surrounded by others, it’s hard to resist indulging. We buy the shirt that’ll be a “tremendous” addition to our wardrobes. We fantasize about the cars and homes we’ll buy and live in. We eat at the classy restaurant. We dream of contentment that we might have with just one more purchase.

Ironically, the beauty we experienced was because none of these options existed. The campground is magnificent because it’s void of the trappings of mainstream society. There aren’t any big screen TVs, billboards marketing unnecessary products, or commercials penetrating this isolated area. Most of the time, the park is immaculately cleaned and people tend to respect each other. There isn’t a discontent cultivated to encourage spending. They live by a “pack it in, pack it out” mentality. Competition is non-existent here. Everyone’s just trying to take it easy and slow down.

Back in the “real world,” people fight to change lanes — cutting each other off, jump over other shoppers for Black Friday deals, and amass gigantic McMansions with stuff in every nook and cranny.

After spending a few days in this separated world, part of me struggled to return. The essentials are simple: shelter, food, and water. And yet, we fight to make more, buy more, and sell more. Maybe there’s a happy medium, but as I returned home there was a culture shock. I wanted to stay, but obviously couldn’t.

Fortunately, the simple life needn’t end when the busy, city streets come into view. I needn’t regress to this unlearned state. As I transition back to society, I cannot help but wonder what camping taught me about living simply and minimally.

1. Pack light

Pretty simple right? When camping, you can’t bring or carry everything. The solution is to pack light. Get the tent you need, not the bigger one you might want. Don’t be afraid to wear the same thing day after day. In life, packing light means only bringing, buying, and holding on to that which sustains life.

2. Pack it in, pack it out

Whenever people go camping, they should pack up all the trash and mess they make and throw it away appropriately. Camping ethics says that you should leave a place better than you left it. If you brought disposable plates, bring them out of the park. Don’t pollute and litter amidst this beautiful place. Back in society, this helps remind me of my impact on the world around me. We can’t take our purchases into the afterlife. What we buy has a lasting consequence to the environment.

3. Seek out adventure in moments, not things

Nothing is better than free. Although there’s a nominal entrance fee, national parks make this lesson easy. Hours, days, and weeks can be spent exploring and learning. But that fun, adventurous spirit doesn’t need to stop when leaving the park. There are moments everywhere to look, go, and discover — it’s all about the attitude. When I first moved to Iowa, I struggled to occupy my time and spent more money trying to create fun. The best decision I made was to buy a bike and ride everywhere. There’s adventure out there, and money shouldn’t be the necessary variable.

4. Find ways to relax and reflect

There are always moments when camping where the wind blows through my hair and I breathe easy. My brain seems to take a pause, and everyday concerns evaporate. Relaxation is essential to a long life; even more, to creativity. It was on a drive to Burning Man that Elon Musk brainstormed the idea of creating a solar energy company with his cousin. And it was in music that Albert Einstein manipulated complicated physical concepts in his mind. Relaxation is only evil in a corporate world that asks its workers to do the same motion over and over again; there, creativity is shunned. Camping is a reminder that relaxation helps cultivate a diverse, capable mind. Whether in the wilderness or weirdness of home, relaxation and reflection are vital.

5. Respect the environment, each other

Camping in national park changes your appreciation of the environment. The research has repeatedly shown that when people connect with the outdoors, they learn to respect the world around them. When people go out into the wild, a togetherness is cultivated. By staying in a small, two-person tent with little room for more than a book, light, and sleeping bags, it was impossible to ignore the world around the camp site. Bad weather shook and stirred the tent. Rain pelted the lining and attempted to enter the tent. Quickly, I learned to appreciate the weather as the natural state that we must respect. The world has been around for billions of years before us, and is a powerful keeper. But we also must respect and take care of it in return.

Our daily lives offer up countless opportunities to consume more than we need, at great cost to our environment. If we focus on the essentials over the extraneous, we will greatly slow our contributions to climate change.

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