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You Aren’t Frugal Enough!

By Frugaling 21 Comments

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Sale Ends Today Banksy Art Consumption

The world currently exists in an infinite growth paradigm — an impossibility that will lead to the planet’s destruction if not curtailed — where increased production and consumption are desired. A pressure to work, spend, and consumptively “contribute” can come from both internal and external sources. This environment makes frugality challenging.

Individually, I struggle to save money, eat out less, and make healthy financial choices. It’s easy to pull out excuses: I’m tired, stressed, or too busy. This monologue pushes me to spend on items that should make me feel relaxed and content. They don’t. My precarious budget necessitates and encourages an alternative. Moreover, I’m motivated to reduce my environmental impact due to climate change. To consume is human (i.e., food), but to buy endlessly and without reason is disastrous. But I can’t say it’s easy, as I must be continually mindful of my spending. Mistakes happen when I’m not actively working at it. Last weekend I spent about $35 going out for food and drinks, in a moment of total unconscious spending.

Along with this self-promulgated racket, there are also social pressures that encourage spending. Society has certain expectations about wealth and success. Usually, achievement in the eyes of our capitalist system requires a paycheck of about $50,000 or more — with continual raises and bonuses. Income must also be spent conspicuously. In other words, you should find ways to spend on things that provide no material value — they just occupy space (i.e., larger cars, homes, and the crap to fill them).

Buy Me. I'll Change Your Life. Art Graphic.If you aren’t making these purchases there can be a social reaction or rejection. This is where frugality gets messy. For instance, I tried a dating site that asked whether I owned a car. The question seemed innocuous enough, but upon further inspection I realized it was aimed at attractiveness. See, asking whether I had a car was meant to give information to potential women. They would be asked the same thing, but I could see many women’s profiles needed the man to have a car. It made me feel bad. Not having a car made me less attractive; an obvious societal pressure, which still felt unexpectedly horrible. I clearly wasn’t meeting the expectations of those on the site. I wished I owned a car momentarily.

It’s not just cars. Look at the phone in your pocket. If you’re a millennial, it’s likely a smartphone — mine is! When you see someone pull out a flip phone or a “brick,” you may judge that person’s income level and status — I have. But is that fair, right, or healthy?

The greatest challenge to my frugality has come from those who verbally question my decisions (fortunately, none of my friends 🙂 ). For example, there are people who tell me I’m not frugal enough or could/should be doing better. Essentially, they’re saying, “You’re trying to be frugal, but you haven’t met my expectations. If you really want to be frugal, you’d do this…” The other critique I receive is that my frugality hurts the economy. By reducing my consumption, I’m somehow not doing my part. When I more accurately reflect on these situations, I realize that something about my goals are creating a reactionary defensiveness in some people.

I’ve found that my method of talking about frugality and saving money greatly affects how safe others feel about their own choices. A spendthrift may inherently be insulted and/or self-conscious by my choices. What they don’t realize is that their social pressures (or critiques) can act on a healthy budget to encourage conformity and consumption.

Becoming more frugal isn’t without challenges — both internal and external. The frugal life isn’t always easy, but it certainly feels rewarding when done right.

Filed Under: Save Money Tagged With: Consumerism, Consumption, environment, Frugal, frugality, money, Save, social pressure, spend, Work

Entering My 3rd Year Of Graduate School

By Frugaling 8 Comments

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Target Semester School
I really liked these pillows (Target calls them “Poufs”). Not buying one at $45 — that’s for sure!

As the upcoming academic semester approaches (now two days away), I can’t help but notice how much worse my body feels. Nervousness affects me in atypical ways — mostly subconscious and physiological. But it’s this same undercurrent of stress that can sometimes lead to outsized spending. I need to be careful during these periods.

Yesterday, I saw sweaty, dew-soaked windows of the frozen food aisle and thought, “This is a perfect reflection of my toiling stomach.” I was a young whippersnapper when I first realized I had lactose intolerance. Then there were strange “allergies,” the removal of certain food groups, and tests to see what was wrong with me.

The best answer that doctors ever gave me was that I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). This cantankerous medical condition wreaks havoc on my insides. I can feel food traveling through my system and doing battle with my intestines — harmony be damned. At the beginning and end of every semester, I have horrific flare-ups.

Like Drake’s recent single, life goes from 0 to 100 real quick when the semester starts. The world seems to enter hyperdrive, and I begin to notice significant changes:

  • I spend less time in the mirror (good).
  • I don’t floss as often (bad).
  • My hair gets crazier (take it or leave it).
  • I drink more coffee (probably exacerbating the hyper feeling).
  • I pack lunches (good).
  • I’m surrounded by people all the time (as an ambivert, a pleasure and challenge).
  • Procrastination increases, as academic projects feel less important when compared to working with clients (ambivalent).
  • I’m distracted by due dates (bad).

This semester will be the busiest schedule of my life, and I must trek all over the city to make it happen. I’ll be on the westside to eastside to southside of the city almost every day — and all by bike. The responsibilities and hours won’t cease for the next 3.5 months.

At the beginning of every year I panic, apply to/fantasize about other jobs, and think about whether I can handle it. My insides erupt and argue with me; screaming, “not again.” Despite these physical, emotional, and psychological challenges to come, life has never been more full.

I’m lucky to have incredible friends around me. They give me a positive energy and purpose. Likewise, I have this website, which is a wonderful distraction. I love being able to write to you all, save money together, and share our successes and failures. I paid off all my debt this year, and completely revamped my financial life. The stress of debt is no longer!

Graduate school is a challenge — every day — and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Good luck to all of you who are headed back to school!

Filed Under: Save Money Tagged With: Academic, bike, graduate school, Job, Life, school, Semester, Stress, Work

Stop Wasting Money On Your Commute

By Frugaling 3 Comments

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Traffic Jam Commute

We all want to maximize our take-home-pay, but with the constant increase in fuel prices, getting to work is costing a fortune. Thankfully, there are some easy, fun, and fast ways to reduce your commuting costs. Here are 7 ways that will put more money in your pocket:

1. Carpool Partner(s)

Find someone who lives near you and set up a deal to take turns driving to work. My co-worker lives 40 miles from work and has been fortunate enough to find someone to commute with.

Pros:

  • You’ll get to know a fellow employee better
  • You save on gas
  • You have a little flexibility since you are working with someone you know
  • Accountability, as you are more likely to be on time or early with someone else counting on you

Cons:

  • You don’t have your own transportation during the day
  • If you or your co-worker needs to stay late, someone has to wait
  • If you have an emergency and need to leave early, you may need to pay for expensive transportation

2. Third-Party Carpool Service

If you can’t find someone on your own, perhaps your area offers a carpool matching service. St. Louis and surrounding areas can take advantage of the RideFinders program. This program is free to use and funded by the Department of Transportation as a clean air initiative. RideFinders matches people with similar commutes.

Pros:

  • Potentially large commuter base
  • Someone else does the matchmaking for you

Cons:

  • You don’t have your own transportation during the day
  • Little to no flexibility as the arrangement is more formal

3. Vanpool Services

If there are enough commuters, you may way to consider the vanpool option. Vanpools are most economical for groups of 7-12 commuters that commute over 30 miles to work. One person volunteers to be the primary driver/coordinator for the vanpool. In exchange for all the coordination, the driver gets to use the van for personal transportation on nights and weekends!

Pros:

  • Driver can use the van for personal trips
  • You don’t have to use your personal vehicle
  • Meet new people (7-12 in typical vanpool)
  • RideFinders offers a Guaranteed Ride Home if you have an emergency or need to stay late
  • Commuters eligible for tax deduction though IRS Commuter Choice fringe benefit plan

Cons:

  • Driver has added responsibility of coordination (possibly time consuming)
  • Limited eligibility (most programs require certain number of people and distance)
  • Little flexibility in emergencies
  • Price split between commuters can cause price to fluctuate (30-day notice is requested before leaving)

4. Public Transportation

If you live in a city with a decent public transportation system, the bus/rail/subway could save money on your commute to/from work. Some employers will even pay for a monthly bus pass. A few years ago, I had a position in downtown St. Louis where parking was non-existent. The building was right across from a Metro Rail station, and taking the train to work made perfect sense.

Pros:

  • Save on gas and vehicle wear/tear
  • You’ll have to do a little walking, which is good for your health
  • Typically, public transportation runs frequently during work hours
  • Employers may provide public transportation subsidies; subsidizing or eliminating the cost

Cons:

  • Little privacy
  • Public transportation can be crowded and noisy
  • Not available in all areas

5. Bicycle

Perhaps you only live a few miles from your job…consider biking to work! You will shed some weight and keep more cash in your wallet. Personally, I live too far from my job for this option, but our Metro System has an accompanying bike trail. Many commuters bike to the nearest metro station, take the rail, and ride into work. If I didn’t have to pick up my son from day care, I would explore that option from time to time!

Many employers encourage health and wellness, and may provide lockers and shower facilities. Some people are invigorated by morning exercise. If you are one of those people, this may be a great option.

Pros:

  • No gas expense or wear/tear on your vehicle
  • You’re getting exercise

Cons:

  • You need to invest in a quality bike and safety gear (not really a bad thing…but an expense)
  • Limited by distance and environment (make sure your commute is safe!)
  • You need physical stamina
  • Forced to travel light
  • Dependent on weather
  • Need a backup plan in case you’re too tired to pedal home, emergencies, or inclement weather

6. Compressed/Alternative Work Schedule

The compressed work schedule is a wonderful thing! I currently take advantage of this and absolutely love it. Basically, in an 80-hour workweek, I get every other Friday off by working 9 hours (instead of the typical 8) Monday – Thursday, then Fridays I alternate between short days (8 hours) and being off. Count it – it’s still 80 hours.

Alternative work schedules (sometimes called flex) allow for variation from the employees core hours without altering the total number of hours worked in a pay period. A common alternative work schedule is 4 10-hour days. This means employees would have 1 weekday off every week. Most choose Friday or Monday to have a 3-day weekend. Another common day is Wednesday, because you are only working a max of 2 days in a row.

Entire states have implemented 4-day work weeks in the past (California and Utah come to mind), but this is a benefit many employers will offer if you ask.

Pros:

  • Break up the monotony of a 5-day work week
  • Employers benefit from extended work hour coverage
  • Quality of life benefit that makes employers competitive for best employees
  • 1 day a week you don’t have to drive to work
  • Potential flexibility

Cons:

  • You’re working longer hours when you are at work
  • Not available unless your employer approves

7. Telework

The last technique on the list is to save money by not commuting at all. If you are able to telework full or part-time, you can save money at the gas pump. Telework is basically working from home. Organizations are split on if teleworking employees are productive. If you take advantage of this option, be sure to show results! Also, full-time teleworkers often complain of being overlooked by their company.

Networking goes a long way and that is hard to do if you’re not in the office. Employees may have the option to use a hybrid approach, and telework once a week or pay period. I’m not eligible for a regular teleworking schedule because of the nature of my work; however, I can telework sporadically with supervisor approval. Usually if there is reporting or paperwork that I know will keep me in front of my desk all day, I request teleworking on that day. I haven’t been turned down yet!

Pros:

  • Immediate savings on cost of driving to work
  • Potential savings on clothes (dress in what you’d like!)
  • Save time for yourself and your company, as you can begin working faster

Cons:

  • Not available to all employees
  • Not suitable to all industries
  • Requires discipline
  • Full-time telework employees are often overlooked/report feeling detached

What about you?

There is not a one size fits all method for saving on the commute to work. You have to factor in what is available and your personal preference. I use the compressed work schedule with an occasional telework day (averaging once per quarter).

  • Do you employ any of the methods listed above to save money on your work commute?
  • Are there additional methods that you can employ?
  • If so, what are they?

MomCents is a 30-something Christian, wife, and mother of a 2-year-old son who is jumping back into the wonderful world of blogging with her attempt to create a personal finance/mom blog. If you’re looking for expert advice, she advises you to stay away! But, if you want to follow the ups, downs, twists, and turns of a real person who will make mistakes along the way…stop on by. Hopefully you’ll find a laugh, encouragement, or both! Find MomCents on Twitter and Facebook.

Filed Under: Save Money Tagged With: bike, car, Commute, Job, public, Ride, transportation, Van, Work

Destroy The 40-Hour Workweek

By Frugaling 57 Comments

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workweek posture picture
It’s time to destroy the 40-hour workweek. Photo: Joe Loong/Flickr

Our American economy needs you to work nothing less than 40 hours per week. The message is simple: earn more, collect belongings, and don’t stop until you retire/die. Unless you meet this expectation, be prepared to be called lazy and unproductive — stuck in the unfortunate world of lower and middle incomes. And if you’re not doing something that makes more money than your neighbor, you ought to think about changing careers.

McMansions, vehicles, and stores grow. In turn, our consumption escalates. We need more to fill our bigger homes; otherwise, they feel empty. Meanwhile, our wallets are stripped and we maintain this cycle of work and near poverty — just getting by. Despite going through a horrific “great recession” over the last few years, companies have continued to report record revenue and profits. The business world is clearly benefiting from our workweek and continued spend.

This current system is predicated on infinite growth. If you’re not continually benefiting from pay raises and getting promoted, you’re not doing it right. Since the Industrial Revolution, we haven’t stopped to seriously question what we’ve created and amassed. Like worker zombies, it’s hard not to see the countless hours we put into companies — all so that we reach financial independence.

Steel Mills Pittsburgh PA Workweek
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the steel boom. Clouds of ash engulfed the city continually.

Unfortunately, infinite growth has two awful consequences: unstable population and climate change. The world population was about 300 million in 1000 AD. The Industrial Revolution sparked atmospheric population increases. Now, the U.S. alone has around 300 million citizens. There are over 7 billion people on the planet, and that number is rapidly increasing.

As we developed more efficient means to produce and manufacture goods, fossil fuel use increased and never stopped. The delicate balance of carbon dioxide in the air shifted and it devastated our climate. We are suffering from an inescapable greenhouse gas effect where the temperature of Earth rises and natural disasters worsen. Even when faced with this dire news, we make a societal shrug and continue to pump out record amounts of oil and coal to feed growth.

The market demands this. If you watch the stock market, you’ll see investors and institutions pressure companies for constant revenue growth. Stagnation is likened to the death of a company — maintenance isn’t enough. We have a myopic economic policy of long-term instability for short-term riches. Profits over people is a rewarded mantra on Wall Street, and it leads to absurd business practices that hurt their employees and our environment further.

We live in a world where the Koch brothers are lobbying to tax alternative energy sources, Microsoft stock (MSFT) increases when they announce thousands in job cuts, and corporate executives are paid, on average, 350-to-1 for regular employees. Incontrovertible evidence suggests that we are causing irreparable harm to our environment, while we maintain this status quo.

It’s time to break out of this cyclical destruction. We need to find another method to contribute to society in a positive manner — one that doesn’t cause harm to future generations and massive environmental diaspora.

It may all start with reducing our workweek, because the 40-hour schedule is destructive:

“The eight-hour workday developed during the industrial revolution in Britain in the 19th century, as a respite for factory workers who were being exploited with 14- or 16-hour workdays.

As technologies and methods advanced, workers in all industries became able to produce much more value in a shorter amount of time. You’d think this would lead to shorter workdays.

But the 8-hour workday is too profitable for big business, not because of the amount of work people get done in eight hours (the average office worker gets less than three hours of actual work done in 8 hours) but because it makes for such a purchase-happy public. Keeping free time scarce means people pay a lot more for convenience, gratification, and any other relief they can buy. It keeps them watching television, and its commercials. It keeps them unambitious outside of work.”

The idea of changing this age-old work life is gaining popularity. In Sweden, government offices are attempting a shift to a 6-hour workday:

“Municipal staff in Gothenburg will act as guinea pigs in a proposed push for six-hour workdays with full pay, with hopes that it will cut down on sick leave, boost efficiency, and ultimately save Sweden money.”

See, the Swedes understand that by cutting back, their employees will be more productive with their time and suffer from less burnout. Even in capitalistic America, the founders of Google are beginning to advocate for reductions in our workweek. In the following video, the tech titans are advocating for this change for a more productive future.

There’s a tragic irony about this whole problem: we developed technologies, vehicles, and our massive global economy to increase productivity. But who’s really benefited from these changes except a select few? Most workers are working more than ever, despite record productivity and profitability. We haven’t invented and invested in a technology that truly eased our workweeks.

The system is broken and skewed. We have an opportunity to respect our fellow humans and environment — for generations to come. Perhaps it’s time to shift forward, and evolve towards empathy and positive economic models. Perhaps it’s time to emphasize healthy companies over exorbitant profits. Infinite growth is not sustainable on a planet with finite resources. Let’s throwaway these antiquated economic ideals.

Filed Under: Social Justice Tagged With: 40-hour, climate change, Compensation, environment, Industrial Revolution, Pay, Population, Recession, Salary, Stock Market, Wall Street, Work, workweek

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