This is What Frugal Looks Like: Kayla K’s Thrifty Ways

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 Kayla from Kayla K’s Thrifty Ways.

What does frugality mean to you?

To me frugality is making the most of the very limited resources available to me. Frugal living allows me to eat well, wear nice clothes, live in a safe apartment, and drive a good vehicle; all while working only part-time as a server

My income varies so I live frugally all of the time to have money all of the time. Even when tips are slow I have enough extra money to pay six months of car and rental insurance upfront and take advantage of sales. I don’t worry about making my rent or car payment. I was even able take off my entire winter break to spend at home with my boyfriend and family.

Frugality also means that I don’t have the credit card debt of most other college students. I do take out subsidized student loans to help cover tuition and books, but I work for my living expenses. It also means that my parents can be my friends instead of my ATM.

What is something that you do that is ‘typically’ frugally?

I eat oatmeal for breakfast every day. I like to plan meals according to sale items and what I have on hand. I enjoy thrift shopping; most of my clothes are secondhand. I gardened and dried laundry on the line before I went back to school. Most importantly, I love my library.

What is something frugal that you do that is unusual?

Voluntarily committing to a frugal lifestyle at my age is unusual to my college classmates. Probably the most unusual thing about me is my crafting habits. I love to knit, crochet, and sew, but my favorite materials come from thrift stores or the trash. I make reusable grocery bags by cutting plastic grocery sacks into strips and crocheting them. I’ve been known to unravel beautiful sweaters just for their yarn.

What are some of your longterm goals that being frugal will help you to accomplish?

I will graduate with my Bachelor’s Degree next year with less than $25,000 in student loans. By maintaining my current standard of living while my income increases I expect to have them paid off very quickly.

My boyfriend is an electrician and may have to travel for work when he is laid off. Being frugal will allow us to save plenty of money to get us through times when work is slow so he can stay close to home. We would also like to have a hefty down payment for when we purchase a home in the next few years.

A Little About Me

I’m currently finishing up my degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and working part-time as a server. I look forward to graduation so I can become a teacher and move home with my boyfriend and our Labrador retriever.

Here is my bio from my blog:

This blog is where I share my thrifty ways to live a full life on a slim budget. I have learned that you can generally have either time or money. I much prefer time to enjoy knitting, crocheting, reading, my family, quilting, cooking, and gardening. And honestly, as a college student, choosing money instead of time was not an option. “Being thrifty” has become a hobby in itself. I actually very much enjoy thrift shopping, menu planning, and comparison shopping. I’ve found that thrift also supports my values of sustainability and good health.

My Most Popular Posts:

• 10 Reasons to Love Your Library
• Dollar Bill Bow Origami
• A Server Shares How to Save Money at Restaurants
• Prepare Your Plarn!
• Make-Ahead Freezer Sandwiches