This is What Frugal Looks Like is a series that highlights different ways that people can be frugal in their lives- after all, frugality doesn’t have to be drastic or just about clipping coupons. Frugality can be fun and easy. Each respondent answers the same four questions.
Today’s interview is with Craig from Budget Pulse.
What does frugality mean to you?
Frugality means being able to live comfortable within your means and still being able to buy and enjoy the lifestyle you want to live. For me it has a lot to do with conscious spending. I don’t take the approach of trying to save cents here and there, I spend what I spend if I feel it’s worth it, and hold back when I feel it’s not necessary. For example, I am not real into buying clothes. So instead of spending money on clothes, I may spend that money on a nice dinner, or heading to a concert which I enjoy. It’s all about conscious spending as long as you balance it out.
What is something that you do that is ‘typically’ frugally?
I always bring my lunch to work and cook for myself at night. Every Sunday I go food shopping and load up for the upcoming week and prepare what my schedule for that week is like and what I am planning on eating around it. That way I can look for deals, buy in bulk and be more health conscious (my health is important to me). Even though I feel like a middle school student bringing a brown paper bag lunch to work, I know it is helping me save over the long run instead of buying every day.
What is something frugal that you do that is unusual?
I don’t think I have any weird unusual frugal habits. But I do sacrifice my social life if I want to save money. For example if I know I want to buy a DVD player, or video game, or concert tickets, or saving for a weekend trip or expensive dinner, I may take a low key DVD night for no other reason than I just want to save money so I can put it somewhere else.
What are some of your longterm goals that being frugal will help you to accomplish?
Besides saving for my future and retirement, I love having life experiences and feel that money I save should go towards them. Whether it is something simple like concerts or bigger like vacations. I love traveling and have been very fortunate to do a lot of traveling both in the US and abroad and want to continue that. I already saved for a big adventure trip I plan on going to in November, and have already started saving again for another big trip next year. Being young and having no real financial responsibilities other than myself is allowing me to continue my thrill for adventure and travel.
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Craig Kessler
I am the marketing director at www.budgetpulse.com a free personal budgeting software. I manage the community and assist users when needed and work directly with users on finding ways to improve the tool and user experience.
Personally I am a dedicated Penn State, NY Giants and Mets fan. I enjoy connecting with people about new music and movies and of course the web. I’m also always looking for the next backpacking trip.
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{ 3 comments }
Thanks for the opportunity. It was a lot of fun and hope I was able to give some insight to others.
Craig, nice looking site you have over there at Budget Pulse. Glad to see you writing this guest post.
.-= Credit Card Chaser´s last blog ..Wells Fargo Expected to Raise Credit Card Interest Rates 3% =-.
Thanks for the opportunity. love your post!!