Ask the Readers: What Makes You Feel Rich While Being Frugal?
Published on - May 22nd, 2009 (by J.D. Roth) Earlier this week, Aaron asked whether repaying debt should be an obsession.
I replied that for some people, “gazelle intensity” makes more sense. (Trent from The Simple Dollar is one of these folks.) For others — including myself — it’s important to exercise balance, to allow a budget for fun.
Everyone who opts for a life of thrift can benefit from finding one or two things that make them feel “rich”. These indulgences don’t have to cost a lot of money — they just need to provide mental relief, an escape of sorts. While browsing through old conversations at Wesabe, I stumbled on a related question from Rebecca2Lexington, who asks, “What makes you feel rich while being frugal?”
Ok, let’s get some creative juices flowing and share with some great ideas to feel abundance while paying off debt. We have been paying down debt and staying on budget for several months now. Tell us about your mini splurges or thoughts are that keep you going.
This is a great question. It gets to the heart of what frugality is all about: establishing priorities so that you’re able to spend on the things that matter to you while ruthlessly cutting the things that do not. The 59 comments in the Wesabe discussion include suggestions like:
- Potluck dinners with friends
- “Spending the $10 to clean my car thoroughly, inside and out, but especially the inside.” (I know from first-hand experience that this is also a great way to kill the new-car itch.)
- Getting your hair done at a beauty school or getting a massage at a massage school.
- Debtkid says that a $2 firelog makes him feel cozy.
- Several people mentioned prepaying their mortgage or paying down credit card debt or contributing to mutual funds as actions that make them feel rich.
- Allese offered two great ideas: spending time outdoors and organizing her home. A clean home can make a huge difference in how you perceive your environment.
For me, food is an important part of my lifestyle. I’m able to cut back on clothes and books and entertainment, but I’m unwilling to economize on food. Why? Because when I eat well, I feel wealthy. Being able to spend $15 on my favorite pasta dish at Gino’s makes me feel rich even when the rest of my expenses are cut to the bone.
But one thing that has helped me feel richer than anything else: Quitting my day job. For the past 15 months, I’ve worked from home. I’m actually working longer hours than I did at the box factory, but I don’t mind. I have the freedom to go for a 6-mile run at 10 a.m. I can go to lunch with a friend. I can take a break to walk to the library. If I feel like taking a hot bath at 2 p.m., nobody’s going to stop me. Though I’m working long hours, the freedom to structure my life the way I want it makes me feel rich. And it doesn’t cost me a dime.
What about you? What makes you feel rich while being frugal? What mini splurges keep you going? What about cost-free ways to feel rich? I’m not looking for all of your indulgences — just the ones that make you feel as if you have a greater disposable income than you really do.
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This article is about Ask the Readers, Frugality, Psychology
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going to the grocery store and saving more than i spent using coupons and the specials of the week. it helps me feel rich because i’m learning how to do more with less.
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I’ve actually been thinking about this lately; my big luxury is being able to grab the check when we go out to dinner with friends. Not add up numbers in my head, not wonder if we can afford it, just pay for it and go.
Tho’ I have to agree with Sarah @95 – beef wellington, homemade pizza, a couple of our other favorites are these huge luxuries that, when you actually look at in price per serving, are very frugal and rich at the same time.
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Buying and sipping on 18 year+ Single Malt Scotch with a CAO Cameroon cigar once in a while. That is just for now. I’ve slowed down on both to aggressively pay down my mortgage. I know when I send in my last payment I will feel “wealthy” beyond my measure.
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I have a weekly cash budget (£50), that is well within my means – I can afford to save a lot if I stick to it. When I get to the end of the week, and I think I’ve treated myself a lot (like gone out to the cinema, or out with friends or whatever), and there’s still £10 left to go in my “splurge” fund, I feel really rich.
The “splurge” fund is for completely guilt-free spending.
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There are so many little things that make me feel rich, but the one that stands out the most is the ability to give.
When I have enough spare cash to buy some fresh flowers for a friend who’s feeling low, or take my children out for ice cream, or get a thoughtful gift for my mom – I feel like a million bucks. There’s nothing else close to it.
I can never afford much, but whenever I have the opportunity to give it brings me great joy.
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what makes me feel rich is when i dress up for a special occasion. i love the way i feel when i put on my heels and my cocktail ring. hello paparazzi!!!!
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Being able to give away items I don’t need anymore to friends and not having to worry about getting money out of it.
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When we go for a weekend somewhere (a wedding, etc) we stay one night at a cheap-ish hotel and one night at a bed and breakfast. We get the luxury of a big bed, fireplace, and jacuzzi for a night and a prepared breakfast the next morning, all included!
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I’m a vintage and thrift store junkie. I love being able to find a unique and wonderful treasure for just a few dollars. This may seem frivolous and may not lead me closer to my debt paydown goals but it makes me happy and makes me feel rich. We actually are almost completely credit card debt free which is a totally amazing feeling. There’s no insurance for success so a well laid out plan is what you need to accomplish your goals.
Jerry
http://www.leads4insurance.com
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Frugality makes me feel “rich.” Things like: Going to England on my rewards card miles. Combining a gift certificate plus a coupon to get my weekly espresso drink fix for free for several months to come. Purchasing a membership at the botanical gardens so that my husband and I plus two other people can go there “free” and attend events for free plus feel good that I’m supporting something I enjoy. Finding clothing at the thrift store. Getting a massage once a week and being reimbursed by flexible spending (medical necessity). Being able to help out my kids with college.
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Can I just say this is totally cool — perhaps the best comment I’ve seen in a good while. Way to go!
“bcowleyc says:
22 May 2009 at 9:32 am
I was shopping at Walmart a few weeks ago for some cheap photo frames to hang on our bare walls.
The couple checking out in front of me was trying to buy some cough medicine and other cold remedies for the young lady. Unfortunately, their check bounced and they didn’t have any other form of payment.
I’ve been there before, remembered the pain of not having a reserve for emergencies and decided to pickup their tab. They were surprised and very greatful. Even though I’m not a very wealthy person, I felt good about myself, and I felt wealthy.”
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For me, the thing that makes me feel rich is when I stopped throwing EVERY available dollar at debt repayment and starting building a bigger cash cushion.
For a long time I did what Dave Ramsey said and kept the EF at $1K. I also felt stressed the whole time, since that $1K wouldn’t get me far in a layoff, and I’ve been dodging the layoff bullet for far longer than the past year.
So I decided several months ago that I was sufficiently far along in my debt repayment to divert more money to savings. Now I have enough in the bank to cover one full month of expenses if I lose my job (Plus a CD holding a cash gift to afford a house someday that I could use if really necessary, but I’m trying to avoid touching that except for a house since that was its purpose.)
I still have a little more debt than I’d like (e.g., more than 0), but I am more peaceful having that money tucked aside.
I have another goal that I’ll meet in July, then I’m increasing my savings rate further.
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I’m with you– food. Add liquor too. Less, but better!
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Knowing that I live in the greatest country in the world. Being healthy and having a great family and friends. Knowing the difference between needs and wants. Not being a slave to consumerism or debt. A medium rare ribeye from Ruths Chris. A humidor full of cuban cigars. Giving generously to those less fortunate.
All of these things make me feel rich…
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Browsing the requests for help at Modest Needs (where you can find people who are pathetically grateful for help to buy things that most of us take for granted–like medicine and heat) and giving there.
Taking a book and a sandwich and some sweets to the park and lying in the grass and reading for a few hours. I live in one of the most spectacular places in the world, but for much of my time here I’ve had too little time to appreciate it.
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new. underwear.
that’s it.
seriously.
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Decorating my space and surrounding myself with beautiful things. Amazing what some colorful paint at 12 dollars/gallon and homemade art projects can do.
Being able to plan a decent vacation every 6 months and not have to tightly budget it.
Getting a beauty treatment every few months or so.
Being able to accept invitations from friends (movies, dinner, vacay, shopping, converts) without worrying about being “broke.”
Best of all, being able to spend my money whenever I really want something and knowing I’m paying cash.
Being debt-free. Not having to worry about money. Passing up the “frou-frou” things so I can spend more money getting the things I really care about at a better quality.
Is that enough?
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I felt rich when I didn’t have to worry about making ends meet when my fulltime job announced a wage reduction and at the same time my freelance work was also cut in half. many others at my work were more severely impacted because they were already living on the edge.
I am on Dave Ramsey’s baby steps 4/5/6 after digging out of debt as a low-income single mom 5 years ago. it feels rich to make extra mortgage principal payments and know retirement is being consistently funded. a fat e-fund and very modest mortgage bring me a lot of peace during these times.
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Also, having been to India twice and with a sister serving in a squatter community in Central America, my definition of “enough” is vastly different than some people.
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Just been me! I love to sleep in on the weekends. I love to read (non fiction). I love my exercise YOGA. Most of all love, going in to a church any religion that lets me in, and write down how I feel at the time, for some reason I can feel that God is there with me. I pray and thank for everything I have, for protection of all the children in the whorld! and for givin me the things that I have to me this place a better place. This is the most beautiful, RICHES, WEALTHIES, AND HAPPIES moments of my life.
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Taking a hike, cooking a good meal, buying a book, I share much of what other people find makes them feel rich. Most of all I think having some money saved makes me feel safe which is a good feeling. And money used to make me feel sick to my stomach when I owed it everywhere and had none saved.
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Microbrews.
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A few years ago, student loan money bought me a quality, albeit entry-level road bike. Not the most “frugal” purchase ever, but I guarantee that nowadays, there’s hardly a more frugal way to spend 3 hours out of any day without paying a dime, except for a Clif bar or a drink for my water bottle.
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For us, it’s Olive Garden takeout with wine and candles once the kids are asleep. We pay for the meal with coupons and cash.
Also, to celebrate paying off $31K in debt, and building an 8 month emergency fund, we’re going on an anniversary trip to the Virgin Islands in July. (of course we’re paying cash!)
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Pandora.com Lots of great music, more than I could afford to own, and I can hear it for free without commercials
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Two thing, one I *thought* would be wierd: Travel. I take 2 or 3 small trips a year. I rarely leave the country (this June will be the first time in years), but the country is SO BIG there is plenty to see here!
And one that IS wierd: doing my taxes. I love adding up all the donation receipts and figuring out that I donated more than $3000 last year, and never even noticed it. I add one new charity (or sometimes double up on a worth while one) each year. They are all set on monthly withdrawl, and once you get used to them going you stop noticing. I do the same with my savings, and increase my loan payments every year too.
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A full tank of gas makes me feel rich. Also curling my (rather thin/fine)hair into pretty ringlets. Takes a while but gives me a boost.
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I often save money on eating out and movies but love to splurge on taking taxi rides . This allows me to avoid travelling by train and really feel rich since in city like Mumbai everyone can not afford to travel by taxi.
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I just wanted Brenda to know she’s not pathetic just because she is single and middle-aged. She probably has a lot to offer.
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Kim, thanks for the tip about Pandora.com. I’ve just registered and added it to my computer. I’ll be able to logon and listen to it on my iPhone, too.
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Paying the full 6 months of my car insurance, instead of monthly. This is the first time I was able to do so. It felt so good to know I don’t have to worry about it.
Less frugal is the fact that I can have my $100 for the fiesta on the beach this weekend, still paid $200 extra on my student loans, and I don’t have to touch my savings. I have finally reached a point where my savings is truly emergency money, and not “my paycheck doesn’t cover my bills!” money.
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I have had SO much fun reading all of these! I look through all of these responses and realize how very blessed and RICH our lives can be here in the U.S.. Sometimes there’s far too much emphasis on the negative – turn OFF that tv, walk away from the internet, and go LIVE a rich life!
I feel rich because I telecommute; no traffic jams, no office b.s., and my schedule is my own. I feel RICH when I take a walk outside my tiny, old house and take a twirl around my 4 acres with my dogs. There are eagles, hawks, kingfishers, birds of every kind, deer, beautiful firs & pines & maples, and a gorgeous creek for the dogs to play in.
I feel super rich when hubby and I go bicycling on a nearby island in the evenings. Afterwards, we watch the ships & barges sail down the Columbia river while we have our little homemade picnic supper and snuggle while watching the sun set.
I AM rich in romance. I am blessed to have found the mad, crazy, eternal love of my life and 6 years later we still hug & smooch whenever we get a chance. My heart bangs like a steel drum when he comes home from work every evening. That, my friends, is rich.
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I forgot! This is something I’m very excited about. My savings is finally enough such that I can give my financial adviser mother a check for $1000 to open a retirement savings account for me!
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Some other commenters mentioned the clean thing (clean car or house) and this struck a chord with me. I’ve grown strangely house-proud over the years.
Reflecting on why, it actually does make me feel rich because I have the feeling of being in a luxury hotel. All it takes is a few details. I caught onto stocking big fluffy towels way before the “hotel chic” thing was in, and such items have become more affordable these days. But really, when I have people over, I think how nice it is to not have to be afraid of a messy toilet or that kind of thing. They can be completely at ease.
Maybe I’ve gone too far though, some friends think I’m freakishly tidy and it makes them uncomfortable
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We learned frugality during the years I homeschooled the kids, and were able to save enough to go on a three week field trip to the east coast, and numerous local field trips. One day as I was hanging clothes on the line and reveling in the smell of fresh laundry, the warm sunshine, the quiet, the peaceful view of trees, I suddenly realized “I’m living the life of a rich person!”
Today my kids are grown but have financial skills unusual for their generation, a benefit I should have anticipated but didn’t.
Today we ate fresh organic peas out of the garden, better than anything we could buy.
Attending broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera at the local theater makes me feel rich now. No hour and a half drive, no parking fee, and the best seat in the house. I actually pity the folks who paid $300 to see it in New York.
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We plan on signing up for Netflix soon, the thought of that has made me feel a little rich for the last week.
That is knowing the movies are delivered, even though I am sure to save money going to find a redbox $1 machine.
My brother-in-law showed me how to hook my laptop to the tv, so I can download “free” movies, as soon as I buy the cable adapter I need.
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Not spending money on what I don’t need and spending less money on things that are not important to me allows me to be extravagant on things that are important to me.
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Fresh, quality ingredients and good cooking tools since I love to cook.
I agree with the comments about keeping the house and car clean/organized. The process of keeping my things nice forces me to handle them and think about and appreciate all of things I own.
Before starting my debt repayment plan a couple of months ago I spent a lot of time really hating my mish-mash of hand-me-down and second-hand furniture. I went to great effort to shop for (and wonder how I would afford to pay for) the eventual new purchase. Now that I am determined to pay cash for the new stuff, and only after my debts are paid, I have a new appreciation for the furniture that will provide me with a place to sit and put my cup of tea until that day comes. My thoughts echo those of other posts. I am extremely fortunate to live in America with rooms full of furniture and food in the fridge.
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Taking my daughter on her 1st plane ride – to San Francisco from Burbank – and paying for the whole long weekend in CASH (including airfare)…and not being broke when I got back to “real life”.
Having an emergency fund that now has 3.5 months of expenses in it…and is increasing every month.
Sitting on the couch, snuggled up next to my husband watching our favorite shows while the kids are upstairs asleep.
That’s the good life.
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my love of fine textiles, finding irish linen sheets in thrift stores or ebay. freshly made feather beds scented with lavender essential oil.
a clean, well cared for home, well maintained, mortgage free, that is all mine.
my two cats.
my very secure job. doesn’t pay much, but is stable and will give me a nice retirement.
i do have financial peace, and a new found faith that things do work out. for example, I choose to tithe 10% to my church. what happens is i always seem to end the month with an extra 35-100 bucks.
another example is I recently finished baby step 3. i decided to reconnect cable, with U-verse bundled service of home phone, cell phone, internet, and cable. what happened is that i was able to drop a number of services like virus checking that i had been paying for earlier. so it actually worked out cheaper.
i love to use my fine crystal and china.
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I suppose I felt rich the other day, when I bought a new sewing machine. As I was counting out bills (it was just under $1,000), the sales clerk said, “That’s unusual.” Guess they don’t see many cash sales.
I’ll use the machine to make gifts, simple garments and crafts. It’s a high-quality brand that will last me well into my retirement years. One of the days, it may acutally pay for itself.
Come to think of it, owning such a nice machine and thinking about its potential to save me money (not to mention deliver unmeasurable creative satisfaction) makes me feel rich.
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Lots of things make me feel rich.
Getting profesional pictures taken of my son (with the free 8by 10 coupon) every six months and adding it to an expansive wall of photos certainly does.
Going into TJMaxx and find a $300 jacket for $25, and a $150 purse for $20, and a pair of hot shoes for a couple of bucks, I spend less then $100, sometimes less then $50 and walk out looking well heeled.
I also think my clean house makes me feel wealthier.
The fact that I go to work, as a cook only 2 days a week for fun, makes me feel wealthy.
Buying my son toys is a wonderful way to feel rich.
So does opening my fridge and having the bottom shelf lined with sodas.
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An summer night on the deck under the stars with friends…
I buy inexpense plants. I like herbs because I also use them to cook and I grow them in terra cotta pots that have developed a lovely patina from years of use.
I put simple white candles in glass jars of different sizes and cluster them on a table & amoung the potted herbs.
I have some bright colored tablecloths that I love. And I always use cloth napkins. Often my best china & crystal, as well. Paper plates & plastic flatware is neither luxurious nor thrifty.
I fill a wine caraf with inexpensive boxed wine that tastes richer than it costs. Our current favorite: Fish Eye Siraz. Comes out to about $5/bottle.
Dinner doesn’t have to cost much either. Buy what’s on sale, add a few veggies. Maybe ask a friend to bring dessert.
Good food, good friends, good wine.
Before the night is over, lean back, look to the sky and count your lucky stars!
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Having pets. Watching the little furballs goofing aroud, falling asleep in our laps, and knowing we can give them the best diet for less than $50 a month.
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I take “vacations” to somewhere different but accessible by train. So, I live in SF, but I’ll take a day trip “vacation” to Palo Alto or Berkeley to see something new
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Rita, thank you for the encouraging words. That was really sweet of you to say something nice to this total stranger. It really made my day.
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I especially agree about appreciating what we already have. Even after heavily decluttering my wardrobe, it’s still full of nice things that I’ve rarely worn. I could stop buying clothes from some years
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for, not from…
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Hi Brenda,
Seeing it’s ‘Be nice to Brenda-day’ let me put in my two cents : It’s their loss and your gain if They don’t look beyond whatever’s holding them back. So there !
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Indulgences that make me feel wealthy? Easy!
1) Having cut flowers in the house. Fresh cut flowers are a total indulgence for me, and I feel like one of society’s elite on the odd occasion that I have a bouquet sitting on my kitchen table.
2) Sipping a leisurely glass of wine after work. My husband and I will sometimes crack open one of our fire-sale bottles. It’s amazing the kind of wine you can get for $12 or less if you know who carries overstock wine. I regularly find phenominal bottles of reserve stock that the wineries need to unload after a year of heavy production. A nice glass of blood-red wine is a particularly sensual indulgence.
3) Going out for coffee with my husband. We very, very rarely go out for dinner, but if we feel like going out somewhere, we’ll pick one of our favourite restaurants and go after the dinner rush is over. It’s more about being in each other’s comapny and conversation rather than food, and we usually end up getting plain coffee. Sometimes we’ll share a dessert. The experience is just as good – or even better, I’d say, as it’s more quiet and relaxed – than a full dinner evening and at a fraction of the cost.
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