photo by carina

The age of entitlement is over. Can you feel the shift? The majority of Americans are gaining perspective and realizing there are many products and services they can live without. This decrease in consumer spending equates to an increase in savings, which leads to an increase in investments. In other words, frugality isn’t causing the recession or worsening the economy. It’s creating infectious self-reliance that benefits us all.

Frugality empowers you to make consistent choices that are best for your family. It begins with you. Let’s face it: We’ve been overspending for a long time. The economy will adjust. You only need food, clothing and shelter. You can see how much more you’ve chosen to believe you need. It’s ironic that as a society, we can judge others who complain about money problems, and pinpoint all the ways they overspend. Maybe you know a first-time mom who has the perfect nursery and every baby gadget known to man or a young couple that has new furniture, fancy electronics and credit-card debt, but there’s no food in the fridge. But what about you? Maybe your overspending or lack of saving isn’t as obvious. No one wants to live the absolute bare minimum, but most people would like to be less wasteful and at least build an emergency fund and still enjoy life and occasional indulgences. You can without the daily excess! Wants and needs have become blurred. We’re like gluttonous kids on Halloween with a big pile of candy. Every single day you can vote with your wallet. Nothing changes if you keep giving your money away. So what are the things you can live without? Plenty.

SHOPPING: Remember a time when stores weren’t open 24 hours a day? Increased accessibility gives you greater options, such as the choice to shop less often. Do we need to buy clothing as often as we do? What happened to patching jeans or having fewer than five pairs of shoes?

RESTAURANTS: What was once a special treat has become a way of life for some people. Replace the extra large coffee or soda with water once in a while. Do we really need a few hundred more fast-food restaurants to open this year? If you can make the choice to opt out from pricier restaurants, you can make the choice to eat from the comfort of your own home, too. It’s easy. Drive on by. Making pizza at home tastes great and is rewarding.

BOTTLED WATER: It’s like fur coats, plastic grocery bags and smoking. Save your dignity. Grab a reusable container, and fill it at home.

PARTIES: Ice cream and cake with family and a couple of friends has been replaced with expensive celebrations with caterers and entertainment. More, more, more. Expectations grow. Placing some limits (creative spacing) increases appreciation. This applies to many areas of life.

HOMES: The money-go-round goes ’round and ’round. Parking in the driveway because your garage is filled with stuff you don’t have time to enjoy because you’re working all the time to pay for it all? Reliving Groundhog Day isn’t a life. Consider decluttering and selling or giving away a few things. Luxuries are nice, but often, your happy factor is the same with less stuff. For example, are multiple televisions or household cleaners necessary? We’ve become a country filled with air fresheners. Baking soda, water and vinegar can replace many of your store-bought cleaners. Consider refillable products, too. Less chemicals, packaging and waste. Experiences and connections with others make a house a home. Having choices is a luxury. Having time is wealth.

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