being frugal doesn’t mean missing out

A lot of people think that just because you are on a budget, that means you have to make major sacrifices in your life. That is not true at all. Granted, your “buy it now” mentality might have to change, but let’s be honest here - that’s not really a sacrifice. That’s just learning maturity.

And just because you shop around for the best prices doesn’t mean you have to settle for something cheap. There are ways to still maintain your lifestyle without killing your budget. Here are some ways I’ve found:

1. Go vegetarian. I stopped eating meat for non-financial reasons, but I’ve found that it actually has had a great impact on my grocery bill. Meat is not cheap (unless you happen to like the really cheap stuff, and then you might want to consider the impact on your medical bills), but vegetables generally are.

2. Shop at the farmers’ market and frozen food aisles. The first guarantees fresh, yummy-tasting produce. And so does the second. Produce is frozen at the peak of freshness, so it still retains its nutritional value. You might not be able to make a tasty salad, but you’ll make some great sauteed dishes.

3. Get your hair cut at a training school. The cheapest place for me to get a haircut or color is the Aveda Institute. Sure, they’re students, but they’re supervised and have completed a good deal of their training before they get near your hair. Plus, I get the bonus of Aveda products. The downside is that they take a little longer, though I like to consider it as extra attention.

4. Buy in bulk. Whatever you are buying, buy more of it. You’ll have to be vigilant and organized to avoid being overwhelmed, but if you have a system in place for remembering what you bought, you’ll spend less money in the long run. The bonus for me is that I buy bulk at Whole Foods, so I get high-quality beans and rice on the cheap.

5. Take a walk. You don’t have to drive everywhere. In fact, as the weather gets warmer, consider walking to any location within a mile (or even 2). You’ll save money on gas and wear and tear on your car (both made worse by shorter trips). You’ll also get outside and enjoy some exercise.

6. Try the Couch to 5K. A lot of people think they can’t run. The problem usually is that they do too much too soon. Couch to 5K is a great program that teaches you the right way to ease into a running program. I’m planning on trying it out in April. The benefit is that, with a good running program in place, you can get rid of that gym membership you never use anyway.

7. Get a part-time job at a place you frequent. Whether it’s a clothing store, a yoga studio, or any other place that gets a decent portion of your monthly salary, consider asking them about part-time opportunities. A lot of places only require a few hours a week. I work at my yoga studio for a couple hours every Sunday and in exchange I get free yoga classes. I save over $100 a month, get to meet a lot of cool people, and get some exercise and stress reduction.

8. Volunteer at your CSA. A lot of CSAs need volunteers to help pick the produce. Most will let you work for a few hours once a week and in exchange you’ll receive a weekly share. One share is generally good for 2-4 people, so if you go twice a month, that could be your monthly produce. You’ll get exercise, save money on groceries, and learn a bit about where your food comes from. And don’t forget to stew and freeze the extras for the winter!

There are only a few ways I’ve learned to save money without making major sacrifices. I’ve also learned a lot about myself and the world around me through some of these activities. That’s never a bad thing!