How I Save Money

If you've never been able to do such a thing, refer to my post labeled "Refusing Overconsumption." I think this is a good start.

Now, I am going to tell you how I manage to save money, and that is by choosing more wisely how I spend it. Since the option to fly away to some far-off island and start a village run on matriarchy and community is a bit out of reach for me, I have to settle in this capitalistic country where the people I love reside. This means finding a balance between the healthy way I want to live (refusing overconsumption) and still partaking in spending money.

The first step I took was making a monthly budget. If I don’t visually see where my money is going each month, how can I expect to make a change? I was shocked by how much money I spent on things that seemed so cheap at the time. I was okay spending $100 worth of Uber rides, but I picked the lower-cost meal at my favorite restaurant?

After this first obstacle of realization, I began the search for balance with some reflection on the things that truly make me happy. I came up with food, travel, fashion, exercise, and experiences. I love to go to restaurants, try new food, see new places, dress myself up, stay fit, and get out of the house, which all are unfortunately expensive without restraint. Once I came up with this list, I decided to limit spending altogether or to very minimally spend money on anything besides these things. Now to find how to keep these things in my life as cheaply as possible.

Food is almost always going to cost money, unless I can forever convince other people to cook for me, free of cost. The good news, it can be managed. I decided to spend a few hours once or twice a month, looking into recipes I wanted to try. I would check the ingredient list and choose other recipes that used the same contents, so I could buy in bulk and make it less expensive. Knowing I had just spent 2 hours making a list and another 2 hours shopping, not counting the walk to and from the grocery store, kept my temptation to eat out a bit lower. I still enjoyed restaurants, but I tried to choose places that were more economical more often. This boosted my self-esteem when I ate at a nicer place, seeing it as a treat. During this time, I built a very important hobby of cooking for myself. A way to invest in my future, unconventionally. If my meals are always fast food or at a restaurant, my body is not going to thank me later, nor my future children, whom I hope to teach culinary skills one day.

Traveling is also a money drainer without proper consideration and effort. I have more in-depth posts specific to traveling and keeping it low-cost, so if you’re interested in that, please read those. I’ll keep this one brief because I had to realize that yes, I want to save money, but I love to travel. Therefore, this is the area I spend most of my money on. I think someone who spends a grand on a new television or big electronic item is crazy; I’d rather spend that on a trip abroad. Traveling is not something I will remove from my life to save money; I will continually remove other things if it comes down to that. This is why it was important for me to make that list, so I know what I truly love and what I refuse to feel guilty about spending on.

No matter how far I get from my attachments to the material, I very much enjoy dressing up and looking fashionable. This does not mean I buy name-brand, just that I enjoy looking through my clothes and making a fun outfit out of new things. This obviously sounds expensive and cannot be done without overconsumption, but hear me out. One day, I stumbled across this adorable zero-waste shop near my apartment. She sold soaps, makeup, plants, and candles. It was the cutest place. Then I realized she had clothes in the back too, but it was set up like a thrift store. Random pieces all over. This was my very first introduction to a clothing swap! She said all I had to do was bring in clothes I didn’t want, and I could leave with the same amount of new items. How awesome!! I had never seen such a thing. That was the day I decided I would try my best not to buy new things without donating/ exchanging that same amount. After this mindset shift, I found it was much easier to part ways with my clothes. With more time, it became easier to simply donate them. I found myself going there with 20 items and only leaving with a few. This exchange shifted my perspective and convinced me that once I move home, I will start something like this in my hometown as well. Fashion doesn’t need to be fast, it doesn’t need to be expensive, and it doesn’t need to foster bad habits. Yes, I will admit I still have way too many clothes, but I am working on it. I also needed to get rid of the fear of wearing the same clothes too often. Who cares? If I like something, I wear it. If I don't, it just shows me which clothes are easier to say goodbye to. Fashion success to me is wearing something until it falls apart; this means I got my money’s worth.

Now, staying fit. The cost of living in Boston was insane, which reflected on gym memberships. All. Expensive. Besides good old Planet Fitness. However, it was a mile walk from my house right into the city center. This made my 1 1/2 hour gym session into at least 2 1/2 hours with the commute. Going after work would be way too busy, but before work meant I needed to wake up at 5 am. No thanks. So I decided to start running outdoors. Not because I knew what it would do for my body or mind, but because it is free and convenient. I also love to do yoga, and found that my body feels equally relaxed when I do it at home versus at a studio. If your gym membership is draining your bank account or schedule, and you’re looking for an alternative, try finding exercises you can do either at home or outside.

Seeing new places doesn’t always have to cost money if you play it smart. While in Boston, I got lucky finding a website that listed all the free/inexpensive events happening around the city each month. (If you live in a big city, look it up, I’m sure there is one!) This allowed me to spend an hour or so (usually on the clock at work) finding new places and events I could explore for free. It allowed my adventurous side to feel fulfilled while not draining my account. If your location doesn't have this type of condensed list, look at your local library's bulletin board or coffee shop. Events exist everywhere; sometimes, you just have to look harder. Even with these efforts, getting out of the house is something in today’s society that endlessly costs money, and I understand this all too well. Here are some other things you can do to save. If you can walk to your destination, walk! Obviously, this isn’t viable for small-town USA, but for you city dwellers, put on your walking shoes or take the train. A $10 uber seems like an obvious choice for convenience's sake, but it adds up over the span of a month, a year. Do you love having a coffee every time you leave the house? Invest in a coffee machine, and maybe becoming your own barista could be your next hobby. When you need something at the store, make a list! This will keep your mind focused on what you need instead of wandering down all the aisles aimlessly. Start thrifting when you think of something you need. Facebook Marketplace is an excellent start, and Goodwill, too. You like to read and can’t stop buying new books? Thrift stores and FB always have cheap books, or go for a walk around your city- you might find a free library outside.

Overconsumption is extremely normalized today, especially on social media. Remember that having more things will never actually make you happier inside. Make a list of things that make you smile and feel good, narrow it down to a few items or habits that cost money, then find new and different ways to do these things inexpensively or for free. I believe in you!!