/biz/ - Business & Finance

Frugality is a lifestyle. Being frugal means having a mindset that factors monetary concerns in every decision. It tames your vices.

There are three key factors: 1- house, 2- vices (expensive hobbies), 3-money making.

>1- house
The bigger the house the bigger the costs: electricity bills, MORTGAGE!, local taxes, mainteinance... everything.

I live in a "KEWL" 50m2 apartment with 1 bdr + big main room + kitchen. I have arranged this big main room in such a way that allows me to have another bedroom. I rent the real bedroom to a 22 yo Chinese student. She pays me 200€ for it. That pays for: internet, water, taxes, cellphone, electricity bill (minimum voltage bitches! small apartment!!), heating, community/building, my public transport AND MORE. We do language exchange FOR FREE too.

If I don't marry, I will live here forever. I'm paying 75k€ for it. If I marry, I expect for both of us to pay 150k€ for a 90-100m2 one. I could go cheaper, but that's OK. Anyways, I will pay 75k€ for my housing... forever. The other 75k€ will come from "her". That will be my biggest expense in life. I may sell this apartment (or rent, probably rent it just in case of divorce) to pay for the 50% of the new one.

>2- vices (expensive hobbies)
Instead of going to a gym I have a home pull up bar attached to a door. I put extra weight on me (in arms, legs and back), and lift at home. I have a spinning bike for winter, and jog in the park in spring-summer.
I download videogames for 2 or 3€ instead of the latest games (69€!!). I bought a new laptop... and kept the old one for local lan parties with friends.

>3-money making
Less vices = + studies, + work = $$$!
I make 3k after taxes. Work and study for my 2nd major (law). I save 2k per month. In 3 years, I will save +2500€ per month (housing paid for, forever). In the future I hope to make much more and still not change my lifestyle (I eat out a lot, and travel too. I don't even have more time or know how to expend the money).