Playing around: Frugality as a game
Posted
Jan 10 2008, 10:16 AM
by
Karen Datko
This post comes from Sarah Winfrey at partner blog Wise Bread.
Face it: Most people don't find frugality fun.
If you describe something as frugal, people tune you out. They walk away, uninterested, or afraid they don't have the willpower to do whatever it is you're talking about. Describe a person as frugal and that person immediately seems nitpicky and maybe even annoying.
We are turned off for one of two reasons: Frugality seems boring, like something our parents would be interested in, or we're afraid of it. We fear frugality because it requires willpower, and our society doesn't exactly turn out people who can consistently choose something uncomfortable.
It's a lot easier to never try than to try and fail, so we avoid frugality.
The truth is, frugality can be difficult, particularly when it is required and is not a lifestyle choice. However, being frugal does not have to be so burdensome. When we think of frugality as a game we play with ourselves (and maybe with our friends or family), it becomes less threatening and more achievable.
Full-contact frugality. If you thrive on competition, compete against someone else in money matters. See if you can save more than your brother on any given day, or bet your best friend that you can spend less than she does. You can use this concept to foster frugality in children. Have them see who can save the most in a month; then give a prize to the winner.
An added bonus to frugal competition is that you will be more motivated to be frugal because it will cost you something to lose. Even if that something is simply knowing that a friend outdid you, you probably don't want that to happen. Skipping dinner at your favorite restaurant for a sandwich at home because you want to win a bet may not be the purest motivation, but it will keep the money in your wallet.
You can compete even if it's only against yourself. Try to spend less money on clothes this month than you did last month. Eat out one fewer time this week than you did last week. Even though you have less on the line, you'll find yourself feeling good when you succeed at these competitions, too.
Problem-solving frugality. Is a crossword puzzle your thing? Are you a wizard at chess? Make frugality the same sort of game. Figure out new, money-saving ways to do everyday tasks and activities. Do you like to keep your car clean? What if you washed it yourself or paid a neighborhood kid to do it once a week? Which would save you more? Make it a game to figure out several different ways to do a task and then determine which one saves you the most money.
Once you get your mind moving in this pattern, you'll find yourself doing it without thinking. Seeing each task as a problem to solve as frugally as possible will become a way of life instead of something painful.
Frugality as a sport. Do you like a good baseball game? Was college football just too crazy for you this year? Do you like to know all the stats of your favorite team? Play your frugality the same way. Make a list of frugal rules you want to follow and give yourself points for following them. You can make the rules as complex as you want. Follow the rules as you go about your day. Assess your performance in the evening and score yourself based on your success. If you get above a certain score, or if you do better than the day before, give yourself a prize (or just feel satisfied with your achievement).
While this might feel a little odd at first, it's a great way to tackle several frugal goals at once. The rules will help you focus on the things you choose.
Whatever you do, make it enjoyable. If you don't enjoy it, you probably won't stick with it. If you can't think of a way to make things more fun in your situation, ask someone else or leave me a comment here. Achieving your goals is definitely worth the effort.
Other articles of interest at Wise Bread:
"To FAFSA or not to FAFSA: A former student's view of student loans"
"What to expect when starting your own business"
"Three types of food that can make encores"
