Hello r/frugal!
Has anyone found that their frugality has led to a decrease in stress/anxiety in an unexpected way? This subreddit focuses mainly on specific deals/ways to pay less for items or get them for free. I strive my best to get good deals on the items I need, however I believe my best "frugal" choices are the ones that also decrease my stress and increase my free time, which are invaluable.
For example, I live in a small home(about 700 sq ft of livable space) about a half mile from my workplace. I bought the home with the specific purpose of eliminating the stress of commuting and paying for gas and car repairs. The close proximity to work also allows me to walk often and get regular exercise.
No more planning for additional time after work at the gym(something tbh I hate doing, it may just be me but factoring in time after work for the gym mentally felt like additional hours of work time). I've gotten to know some neighbors better by seeing them while walking. I'm less tempted to dine out for lunch because I can just walk home to eat and it still feels like a treat. Overall, the single most important thing that has changed my life for the better in the purchase of my "frugal" home is hitting all of these "birds" with one stone. I now have a gas budget of next to zero, eat out very little, and find myself with much more time to do the things I love. Not to mention that this house was extremely low priced for its quality. I have a fairly stressful job, so all of this means the world to me. I'm actually considering selling my car bc I use it so little, as a bonus.
What's your "frugal" story that has simplified your life in a positive way or made an unexpected difference in your life?
June 18, 2017 at 11:16PM
