“Buy less, travel more.” ~ Queenie Chan
Being frugal is a rewarding lifestyle.
It can make you feel in control of your life. Harnessing the power to vanquish temptations when visiting an Apple Store or passing by a Starbucks is gratifying once you’ve realized how these savage cravings are often the reason why your piggy bank remains empty.
There’s something attractive about not being manipulated by the dark side of you that craves material possessions. Once the mind is in tune with the philosophy of thrift, the feeling of contentment easily outclasses the temporary pleasure gained from shelling out your savings for a new camera lens or a sexier car.
“People who live on budgets are happier people.”
~ Dale Carnegie (How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, p. 259)
When I was in high school, I often had a one-figure balance in my bank account. I didn’t think about it too much because I thought it was the norm for us students. We were meant to be broke. But had I clung onto this philosophy years later when I went to Japan for an exchange program, my financial worries probably would have developed into stomach ulcers.
I was going to live abroad, alone, which meant that I had to rent an apartment, afford the bills, buy food, pay for train tickets, and hopefully be left with some extra cash for having fun. I could have applied for a student loan, but it would’ve just been another excuse to spend more generously, and be left with empty pockets at the end. I had to change myself.
Students can live more comfortably by adopting a frugal lifestyle. It needs a bit of commitment and tolerance at first, but you don’t have to become an ascetic to boost your personal finance.
Self-Learner is a blog about self-education and self-improvement based lifestyle design. Goal? To become the best "version" of yourself, and feel excited to jump out of your bed every morning.