Do you want to be more frugal, but have a tough time developing new habits?
The concept of frugality is simple: look for ways to cut costs, go for quality items you’ll use a lot, and be smart with your resources. The hard part of adopting a more frugal life? Sticking with the process.
It seems like some people are naturally gifted when it comes to frugality. Me? I am, and always have been, a borderline spendthrift. I’ve put a lot of effort into changing my ways, and I feel like I’m finally making some progress.
If you find yourself having a tough time adopting frugal habits, here are some tips to motivate yourself to stick with it.
• Read frugality books & blogs
I’m always inspired by those who are naturally frugal and seem to thrive on a frugal lifestyle. When I feel myself slipping off the bandwagon, I’ll read a few of my favorite money-saving or frugality blogs for some inspiration.
Reading frugality-related material is a great way to motivate yourself and find fresh ideas.
• Keep your goals in front of you
When you’re trying to adopt new habits, one of the best things you can do is think about why you’re working on them in the first place. If you’re working on your frugality skills, then you must have some big financial goals you’re trying to reach.
Write your goals down and keep them in a conspicuous area. Every time you feel yourself falling off track, take a look at the goals you’ve set for yourself. Reminding yourself WHY you’re being frugal should help you regain focus.
• Track your spending
Now that I’ve found a good system, tracking my spending has become fun. It’s almost like a game to see if I can get my actual spending lower than my projected spending.
The key to successfully tracking your spending is to find a system that works for you. You can use spreadsheets, an online program, or pen and paper. Once you get a good system in place, you’ll be able to see the areas in which you really need to stretch your frugality muscles.
• Find an accountability partner
When you get the urge to blow your budget, an accountability partner can do wonders. You probably have some friends or family members who are looking to save more money this year, so ask one of them to be your accountability partner.
When you feel like giving in and spending money on something you shouldn’t, just call, text, or email your accountability partner. They’ll walk you through it — just like you would do for them.
• Have fun with it
Living a frugal life doesn’t have to be a miserable existence; instead, look at it as a test of self-discipline. Being frugal doesn’t mean you can’t ever buy yourself something nice; it simply means that you manage your money the smartest way possible, in conjunction with YOUR life and goals.
