Living life may not sound like the most attractive lifestyle. In fact, most people associate the term with cheap skipping fun or pinching pennies until they scream. But it doesn’t need to mean sacrificing joy or taking away oneself. It could be a gateway to financial peace, clarity and freedom!
At the heart of this, Stingy is intentional spending. I’ve learned to say yes to things that really matter, and to things that drain my wallet and don’t bring lasting value.
Here’s how you accepted this idea and how you could do it too.
What does Stingy actually mean?
Stinging means that you are not generous or liberal and you are modest or underused in your use or spending. It is one of the most flattering and most flattering that can be used to describe someone, and it is associated with a rather negative stigma.
However, when it comes to personal finance, I’m stingywith all positive angles of the word, it could be the difference between actually having to retire comfortably or work well in your retirement year.
It could be a parachute that can save you from endless (and heartless) spending on things that don’t add value to your life. It can even save you a lot of money!
So let’s alleviate the confusion. This lifestyle is not about stocking up on any dollar or escheating generosity. It’s selective, intentional and resourceful. That’s the process Be aware of what you spend and what you think critically about the time you invested so that you can make certain purchases.
I’m asking the following questions:
- “Do you really need this?”
- “Does this purchase match my goals?”
- “Do I buy this from habits and feelings?”
To me, it seemed like a rethinking my daily habits, my spending triggers, and my goals. It wasn’t about never buying things, it was about learning about frugality and smarter costs. And what about the outcome? More money in the bank, economic independence, financial peace!
That being said, what I did here is to create an incredible living spending habit.
1. “Does this spending cause joy?” he asked.
This simple question saved me from hundreds of impulsive purchases.
In the past, you would buy things on a whim. A trendy top of social media ads, another skincare product I didn’t need, or another journal I didn’t use. But most of those purchases have been forgotten.
Now I’m pausing. “Are you using this a month from now? 6 months? If the answer is no, it will stay in your cart (or not appearing there at all).
Stingy taught me that joy comes not from having more, but from being satisfied enough.
2. I actually created a budget that I can stick to
When I first started living a stingy life, budgeting became my best friend. But it’s not old school, it limits all methods. Today I create a monthly budget that reflects my actual lifestyle.
In other words,
- Includes small “fun money” categories such as saving for my luxury purchase
- Budget preparation for eating out once a week (instead of five)
- I’ve automated my savings and never forgotten
This approach doesn’t mean you never enjoy your money. That means it controls how it is used.
3. I set financial goals that motivated me to go well
Stingy gave me clarity to define what I was actually working on. I wanted an emergency fund. I wanted to pay off my credit card debt. I wanted to travel without feeling guilty.
When those goals were clear, spending money on things that didn’t serve them became easier to skip.
I remember buying a new designer bag while on sale. I really wanted it. But then I asked myself, “Does this bring me closer to financial freedom?” So I passed and later used the same money to knock out my credit card debt.
4. I was tidy and sold what I didn’t need
Stingy meant rethinking what I already owned. I had clothes I’d never worn, gadgets I had forgotten, and books I didn’t open.
One weekend I had a massive clean-out. I gently sold items on Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace, earning hundreds of dollars. The rest I donated.
The experience taught me two things:
- I spent too much on things I didn’t need
- I never wanted to make that mistake again
Now, when I shop, I always think about how I use the item in the long run, or whether it will lead to another donation bin.
5. I’ve become more intentional with my time
It’s not just about living Stingy, it’s about resources that include time. I previously enjoyed scrolling through shopping apps, hauling influencers, browsing online sales.
Now I fill that time with little or no value. Reading, journaling, walking, cooking, learning new skills.
If you keep your wallet as long as you protect your time, you will start building a more fulfilling life without buying more.
6. I cooked more and ate less
The food was one of my biggest expenses. I order takeout multiple times a week and justify the food saying it’s too tired.
But once I started to get more mindful, I became real about those habits. I learned to prepare simple recipes that I actually liked and started planning my grocery trip.
I didn’t cut the meal completely. I made it a deliberate treat. Reducing restaurant meals once a week has resulted in significant savings over time.
7. I paid myself first
One of the biggest changes in behavior and thinking of my journey of stingy life was learning to pay for myself first. I stopped saving “everything was left” at the end of the month and started moving towards saving money as soon as I got paid.
I have set up automatic transfers to a high-yield savings account so there’s no need to even think about that. I did it consistently, even if it was $25.
Over time, the habit became a second nature and my savings began to grow faster than ever.
8. I saved all the windfalls
In the past, when I received a bonus or tax refund, I spent it right away. New clothes. Weekend trip. It’s fun, but nothing continues.
Living in a sinister way changed how I saw those stairwells. Instead of inflated that money, I paid off my debts, increased my emergency funds, and invested in the future.
When I received a $2,000 refund for a year, I used it to repay the smallest credit card balance. The relief I felt was far better than what I could have bought with that money.
9. I’ve become a smarter shopper
I didn’t stop shopping completely, but I’ve gotten so much better with it. Now me:
- Wait 24-48 hours before making a non-essential purchase
- Please check your budget before clicking “Buy”
- Pre-roved shop for a specific one (I love a good thrift store)
- Looking for quality rather than quantity
- Use a coupon
Stingy is not cheap, it’s strategic. It’s about moving your dollars further by making smarter decisions.
Expert Tip: Create a Value-Based Expense List
One of the most effective ways to commit to living a stingy life is to create a value-based spending list. This is a personal guide that outlines what you want to spend money on guilt according to your goals, values ​​and lifestyle. This will help you reduce your spending on things that are not important and still enjoy what you do.
For example, we prioritize travel and self-care essentials, so we intentionally budget for our budget while reducing other areas such as takeout and impulse shopping. This approach keeps me motivated and prevents me from burning out. Because I’m not taking away myself. Revisit the list each month and adjust it as your goals evolve.
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Why do you need to consider living stingy?
Stingy opens the door for you who may not realize you are within your financial range. It helps you set boundaries around what really matters and drive out the wives of time. It also helps you to really pause and think about what you do with something truly happy and fulfilling.
It was rare for anyone to hand over a full pay trip opportunity to Australia for a holiday. But if you ask the same people if they can stop it based on their finances, most will say no.
But what many don’t realize is that having a defined goal (i.e. a trip to Australia next December) and working sincerely towards it (i.e. reducing wasted spending on clothes and unnecessary subscriptions) can really help you realize this dream. It takes a little effort.
If you’re standing outside looking at the world of personal finances, why not take the first step today? It’s never too late to start.