September 28, 2005
Controversial Frugality
One of my favorite blogs, Frugal For Life, posted a fascinating entry recently on controversial frugality. The guest author, Wenchypoo, outlined some very edgy ways to save money and build wealth. It's clear from reading through Wenchypoo's archives that some of her controversial points come from her own life and research, and some are thrown in to get people thinking. This seems like a brilliant thread of discussion, so I'm going to try to elaborate on a few of her points and throw in a few unusual frugal ideas of my own.
- Beauty
Wenchy wrote: Fashion is an induced epidemic...for people who aren’t comfortable with themselves in the first place. I say that whatever your position may be on fashion and the finer points of cosmetics, there are some basic advantages to good grooming. It's possible to eschew bathing and allow your hair to go uncombed, but choosing this lifestyle can make a bad first impression on potential employers, friends, and mates. The returns from soap, shampoo, a modestly warm shower, and functional clothing are well worth the money. As far as cosmetics spending, skin cancer treatment is far more expensive in the long run than using an SPF 15+ lotion on exposed skin every day. Whether it's an expensive anti-aging moisturizer or a generic sunscreen from the drugstore, sunscreen is essential. To save money on other cosmetic products, try buying in bulk at a warehouse club or natural-foods store, watching for sales, or Making your own cosmetics using mostly common household ingredients. - Education
I can't possibly quote Wenchypoo's statements on the subject, so you'll have to look at the original post to get the idea. Choosing between a college education and a paying job, or between a post-college career and raising a family, is a very personal thing. From a frugal perspective, there are several ways to get an education without racking up great amounts of debt or putting future plans in jeopardy. I could write a whole post on this topic, but I'll keep it to a short topical list for the moment:
- Unschooling -- see unschooling.com. It's a lifestyle that embraces learning as a lifelong, constant practice.
- Apprenticing -- in exchange for a couple years of backbreaking labor, you can gain skills in valuable careers. The U.S.D.O.L. has more information on apprenticeship.
- OpenCourseWare -- how does a free Ivy League education sound? For self-motivated individuals, the entire curriculum of MIT is available online. I've heard wonderful stories about OCW being used in remote areas, where people have little access to higher education.
- Volunteering -- if you have some free time and the calling to social or teaching work, there are always opportunities to build skills (and sometimes to build a network for paid work down the line) by tutoring, mentoring, and serving in your community.
- Employer Tuiton Reimbursement -- some companies offer reimbursement for college expenses, so you can earn a living and work at the same time. UPS, FedEX, and all branches of the US Military are known for being supportive of employees' educational goals.
- Unschooling -- see unschooling.com. It's a lifestyle that embraces learning as a lifelong, constant practice.
- Transportation
Buy a used bike! Seriously, this has got to be the easiest way to end oil dependence and reduce toxic fumes from cars. In Portland, you can get a good used reconditioned bike for a couple hundred bucks at Citybikes Collective or the Community Cycling Center. Thrift stores, garage sales, and your local craigslist are other good places to find a used bike. After the initial investment, spend about $130 buying a solid helmet, air pump, U-lock, and bright lights (if you might be riding after twilight). Strap on your favorite backpack and you're ready to run errands, go to work, go to the store, or go wherever you please. Bike rides are free! - Television
Go TV-free. Save the time and expense of cable, dish, tivo, and deciding whether to buy that new plasma screen. I don't miss TV a bit, although I do indulge in Netflix for a regular dose of entertainment. - Eating Out
Most people know that restaurants have a high markup on soft drinks, so frugal diners are advised to favor water when eating out. At some restaurants (this applies to Chinese, Thai, and Indian in particular) the vegetarian entree is at least $1 cheaper than the beef, pork or chicken options. If you can hold the Coke, why not hold the beef? Tofu is high in protein, low in fat, and has a mild flavor that complements the ingredients in any dish. Additionally, tofu is thought to be a preventer of heart disease, and there's no Mad Soybean Disease to worry about. - Event Volunteering
Sometimes large-scale community events such as festivals, races, tournaments and concerts use volunteer staff to keep the cost of the event down. Volunteering may involve a couple hours of humble work (cleanup, serving concessions or taking admission) but volunteers get into the event free, and usually get goodies from the event sponsors as thanks for the free labor. I've volunteered at the local air show, several golf tournaments, and more recently Brewfest and the Hood To Coast Relay.