are there any websites that deal with frugality by including illegal money-saving techniques? For instance, i always get a kick out of frugality articles that mention ‘cheap’ ways to obtain DVDs etc. Ummm… are you guys on crack? Just download the entire thing, for free, via bittorrent!!!

No matter what responses my post generates, i know i am not alone in using such techniques to save money. In fact, MOST young people use bittorrent. Let’s get real!

So are there any frugality blogs which incorporate such iffy suggestions?

Thanks,
andrew

And I’d totally rather kick the bucket with gobs of unspent money than spend it all. What’s the worst that could happen?

I suspect the people who say “why die rich?” are thinking of those like Hetty Green, who live unhappy, pinched lives, rather than being happy while living frugally.

Frugality isn’t about going without; it’s about choice and forgoing what is less important in order to make room for what really matters to you most. It feels good to not waste, not add to your own and the world’s problems through needless consumption and to focus on the parts of life you most care about.

Frugality can be and is very rewarding for many–even when the element of saving for the future is taken out of the equation. Just not consuming so much more than you need and not cluttering up your life with unnecessary excess is rewarding on its own.

The lucky few who are able to find cheap places to live can continue the frugal lifestyle in NYC, but I’m willing to wager that such people are the minority. I also wouldn’t say that artists are a privileged occupational class.

We’re all made differently with different strengths and passions. People who love art and want to pursue it should be able to without having to saw off an arm or a leg to do it. Living frugally is one way that allows them to do so.

I think frugal living, by itself is not always sustainable, especially in America. With inflation rising higher than wage raises, it’s important for even low income people to learn how to protect themselves financially.

My dream is to pursue my passion for fiction writing and film making full time, but first I want to build a financial foundation that will protect against unforeseeable circumstances.

Just my 2 cents…
If you get a chance, check out my latest introduction to Smart Investing for Young People

Art is great and it is great to make a choice to do something for the love of it and make it your life. There are millions of people who have to take more responsibility for making a living and aren’t members of a privileged occupational class, though.

“Frugality and positivity aligned with a clarity of core values” Sigh . . . Arwen, I have the first two, but it’s the last that eludes me. I’m still struggling at 45 to find that *one* thing I want to passionately pursue.

JD, great post – I love all the comments it engendered!

I’m a grad student and have been financially minded for some time. Grad school is an odd place to be thinking of finances but after reading your blog for some time you’ve motivated me to do some financial blogging aimed at grad students on my blog.

So, thanks! Feel free to check it out or pass it around to anyone seeking financial discussion aimed at grad students! Here is the first post, fresh off the press!
http://interrobangblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/prosperous-grad-student-laying_19.html

I’ll keep reading

http://tinyurl.com/58hnad

-Paul

BEST. COMMENT. EVER.

JD, you almost made me spit out my morning tea with laughter.

-Jill, Frugal Mama

This is an important point. I had a young artist friend in NYC living in a very small studio apartment about 7 years ago paying $1500 a month while elderly neighbors were paying $65 a month for similar units.

Whether or not you support rent control, it does help these older artists make ends meet.

However, we are realigning our spending with our values. For example, DH and I are repurposing the money we used to pay for cable to pay for voice lessons. We’ll never be pro artists, but we get a lot of joy from singing and performing.

Typically, frugality often means focusing on getting out of debt since most people are forced to it because of unfocused spending having put them so far into a hole they need a radical change to get out. Hence most blogs deal with those areas and that is the bulk you read about. But once you’re debt free, you can readjust and focus on what you really value and want, be it that comic collection, cars to tinker with, vacations to unique locales, changing career or starting a business, whatever. You have stopped throwing your money at every little whim you have, and are focused on those things that are of value to you without going into debt to get them. You can stay really frugal and throw everything else at your art, retirement, a hobby, or a side business. Or you can ease up and enjoy some things your were doing without while getting out of debt, and put a little less towards those other goals. The point is you don’t have to worry about owing someone, you don’t have a Sword of Damocles anymore. That is the freedom being frugal can buy and where I hope to go with it.

On a side note: I started cleaning out my closet last night and I thought of you. I’m starting the process of getting rid of all the stuff in my life!

And when you see the under privileged corners of the world, it gives you a new perspective on spending once you return to the ‘west’. I just think to myself that some people would want for nothing more than a roof over their head, and I’m wondering if I should get video messaging on my phone or a Tivo to record shows I might miss… (insert your own frivolous desires here)

I don’t care if I never drive a new car. I’d rather spend my money traveling. I no longer need 15 pairs of designer jeans or $20 shower gel. I’d rather save it for the gorgeous (but modest) home we’re going to build. I don’t care if I have an iPhone or a plasma TV. I’d rather know that when we have children one day, I have options when it comes to how much I want to work.

And as cheesy as it sounds, all I really care about is my family. I’m the happiest when my husband and I spend all day Sunday cooking in the kitchen and then watch a movie on our hopelessly outdated TV set. I’d count myself lucky if our life is always this simple.

And I’d totally rather kick the bucket with gobs of unspent money than spend it all. What’s the worst that could happen? I’m not a burden to my family after my death? That the leftover money would go to my family and favorite charities? I’m really not seeing the tragedy that some people make of living frugally. Plus, getting off the spending treadmill is the first step toward happiness, not away from it.

You are right that we never know what is going to happen tomorrow, however, some people can be more certain of their future than others, although usually in a bad way. The guy with the inoperable brain tumor is more certain of his imminent death than you or I, probably. If he has no dependents, he can probably crack that nest egg and do some traveling, if he wants (if his medical bills don’t gobble the egg up first).

Given the history of male heart disease in my family, I’ll consider myself very lucky if I live to typical retirement age. I am keeping a heart-healthy diet and doing what I can on the health front, but there’s no knowing. That doesn’t keep me from saving and being frugal, though. There’s my wife to think of, who will probably outlive me and need support. Also, if I do well enough with my savings, I can take my retirement early and beat the clock, so to speak.

Being uncertain doesn’t mean being completely ignorant. Often we have information that allows us to make estimates on the random distribution.