Ask Mike: How Can I Live More Frugally?

Welcome to Ask Mike, a regular column on our blog where I give a friendly, but opinionated answer to reader questions. Today, I’ll be answering the following question:

“How Can I Live More Frugally?”

Dear Reader,

Thank you for the question— as always, I’m going to answer the question I think you’re asking, not the one you actually asked. Call it one of the few privileges of being the man behind the keyboard. 

I assume anyone with a healthy head on their shoulders knows “how” to live frugally. All you need to do is stop buying stuff you don’t need. It really is that simple. 

Sure, there may be some tips and tricks that someone with experience could share, maybe a few overlooked areas I could point out— but honestly, all of that pales in comparison to your willingness to stick with a budget.

With that throat clearing out of the way, I’ll get to the question I think you’re really asking, which is: How do I get myself to stick with frugal living?

Yes, that is the question, indeed.

Like pretty much all good habits, living frugally requires no special knowledge or skills. The challenge is one of sustaining motivation over the long term. Thankfully, this is also a solvable problem, and once you hear the solution I’m sure you’ll agree at once.

Step 1: Identify “why” you desire to live frugally

Whatever it is, get a good clear picture in your mind. This image will pull you through those vulnerable moments when you have a choice to make about whether to spend or deny yourself.

One of my weird beliefs is that nobody really sacrifices. A true sacrifice is trading something you love more for something you love less— that’s not honorable, it’s foolish.

A parent giving up sleep so they can take care of a child is choosing the thing they love most. Figure out what that is for you when it comes to frugal living.

Step 2: Find a way to measure progress.

There is really only one rule of motivation than anyone needs to know: progress begets more progress. 

The solution is always to take that first step, and then another, and then another— and eventually you’ll be motivated by seeing how far you’ve come.

A clever, but well-known psychological hack is to track whatever you’re doing visually, so you can more easily “feel” the progress you’re making. Find a way to do this.

Step 3: Embed yourself in a frugal living community.

There’s a reason why blogs like this one have readers, and it’s not that we’re telling people something they don’t already know. I’m reminding people of things they need to keep hearing. Encouraging them that what they’re trying to do can be done.

You can do this, too. Keep reading this blog and others in the frugal/simple living community to stay motivated. And feel free to drop me an email to say hi, and share what you’re up to.