The past few months I have increasingly awakened to the lack of frugality in my life, which is not suprsing, seeing as how I come from a poor background. Raised on Salvation Army 5 dollar "stuff-a-bag" sales, periods of foodstamp use, and the phrase "we can afford it when the financial aid check comes", I think I represent what can happen when someone from a low-income family earns a steady paycheck. In my case, the dreaded monster Compulsive Shopper mated with that devil called Must Have Nice Things, and subsequently produced a bad habbit called Wastefulness. Its a rebound, a cringing away from previous poverty that society looks down upon. In this materialistic society, having alot of really nice things is one way to prove that you are better than society first suspected.
Of course, nothing is wrong with having nice things; however, I cannot help but to feel that having too many nice things is over-indulgent and wasteful, particularily when they cost an arm and a leg.
So in the spirit of creating change and knowledge, I have decided to live frugally for a year.
How do I propose to do this? By returning to the tricks every person raised in a low-income or impoverished family knows:
(The list is quite extensive, so I listed my personal favorites.)
*Bookswaps.
*By shopping at Goodwill or any thrift store, one can build a decent and stylish wardrobe for a steal. I can't remember how many times I found American Eagle hoodies, Banana Republic sweaters and Paris Blue jeans for less than 10 dollars at a secondhand store.
*Public transit saves alot on gas... but so does riding a bike. It also saves you money.
*Coupons, coupons, coupons!
*Cooking your own food curbs your spending and eating habbits.
*Rice. Its cheap, easy, and delicious.
and etc...
Over the next year, I plan on living as frugally as possible and proving to myself that living in a materialistic society does not mean I have to partake in those values. I also want to prove, at least to myself, that frugality could be a key to rebelling against our capitalist economy.
Any suggestions? Hints?
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I love the mating ritual there, Mark said it sounded like something from hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! It's very optimistic, and I'll be impressed with you if you do even that much. so, in the spirit of christmas, my gift to you is not to give you anything else to try out until you master that. It'll be hard to change so much so fast, but maybe that's what is going to make it possible?