AlexShalman.comPractical Personal Development

This article is part of the How To Become An Outstanding Person In Twelve Weeks series. I strongly urge that you read the first article in order to get a sense of what is going on here.

Frugality (Week 5 of 12)

Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing. Benjamin Franklin was good at managing money. In fact, he was so good at it, he was trusted by all the people of Philadelphia (ok, not all , but many!).

The technique that I have been using in order to remain frugal this past week has been asking myself a series of simple question.

1. Can I live without this purchase?
2. Can I get a cheaper alternative without sacrificing quality?
3. Can I use it and return it? (just kidding!)

Another thing that I factored into the equation was the cost of my purchase, if it became a habit. For example, buying a cup of coffee ($1), could turn into a daily habit, and in one year I would spend a considerable amount ($365).

You can also add the incentive of what kind of toll that cup of sugary, caffeinated beverage would reap on your body after a years worth of daily use (extra calories, high cholesterol, and yellow teeth). Need I say more?

I was not able to apply health risks to all of my purchases. I couldn’t justify how getting premium gasoline, versus regular would be more detrimental to my health. I went for the cheap stuff regardless.

I did manage to eat at home and cook myself healthy and simple meals throughout the week, with only one, less frugal dinner on the weekend. This certainly saved me a lot of money. Plus, I was able to cook enough to have left overs, thus saving cooking time and trips to the store.

I would insert a quote here about “a penny saved is a penny earned“, but than I would have to close the comments section in order to not be bomb barded for such a tacky cliché. Even though it’s true!

Becoming Outstanding Series

• How To Become An Outstanding Person In Twelve Weeks

• Week 01 – Temperance

• Week 02 – Silence

• Week 03 – Order

• Week 04 – Resolution

• Week 05 – Frugality

• Week 06 – Industry

• Week 07 – Sincerity

• Week 08 – Justice

• Week 09 – Moderation

• Week 10 – Cleanliness

• Week 11 – Tranquility

• Week 12 – Chastity