“Being a frugalista makes you a hot fox! Please, don’t let the marketers fool you.”

It’s true: more and more people are re-evaluating their spending habits and opting for a more frugal lifestyle. Some call it “voluntary simplicity”; others call it “living green”…and others still see the value of making the most of what you have and keeping your budget in check during tough economic times.

Our newest Geezeo Expert lives and breathes frugal living. Her name is Natalie McNeal, and here is her Geezeo group. Natalie’s here to guide you and answer questions if you’re in the process of “dialing down” your spending habits. You can find Natalie writing for the Miami Herald as well as her blog, The Frugalista Files.

Frugalista, how did you start writing about topics relating to being frugal? Was it a specific event that sparked an interest in making the most of what one has, or, was it a culmination of some life changes?

I’ve always loved bargain shopping, but I realized that I needed to be frugal in other areas of my life. I had a pesky credit card that I needed to slay. Once I did a “no-buy” month. I went a month without going to hair/nail salons, dining out or paying for entertainment. I saved $400. I was hooked after that.

Americans in general seem to dislike the word “frugal”. Do you think calling yourself “frugal” or “being frugal” has any negative connotations? Or do you think “frugal” only sounds negative to people who are overspending anyway?

I think the word frugal is fabulous! It’s about value. I’m a big fan of quality goods, but I’m not a fan of reckless spending. Frugal people are more thoughtful about their purchases. Being a frugalista makes you a hot fox! Please, don’t let the marketers fool you. There is a whole underground of frugalists out there. Now is our time to shine!

Do you think people might be changing their tune about “being frugal” now that the economy is shifting so dramatically? Or, perhaps because being frugal is really embraced by the environmental movement, too?

I think it’s both. Turning off the lights at night or cutting back on water consumption are all green ideas that save money, too. In general, the era of waste is over. People are walking more to save gas. As a result, you save fuel, money and you develop your calves. Oh yes, frugality can be good for you health, too!

What has been the biggest challenge for you living a frugal lifestyle? What’s been the greatest joy?

The greatest challenge is the peer pressure. It’s hard to tell my friends that I can’t travel with them. The greatest joy is blogging about it and discovering that I have hidden talents like cooking.

How can someone make small steps towards living a more frugal existence? What are the benefits?

I think starting small is the best way to go. Every time you want to purchase something, ask yourself, “Do I really need it?” Do you really need a new cocktail dress this holiday, or do you have an adorable one hanging in the closet already? Do you really need to buy a new car, or will a certified pre-owned vehicle work well for your needs? Do you have to go to dinner with your friends? Can you go to lunch instead or even cook a meal at home? Frugal living allows for you to account for where your money is spent. Money is power.

Thanks, Natalie! I am one of many Geezeo users who look forward to your thoughts on frugal living. It’s something I could improve, and I’m sure other people could, too. Thanks for your time. Remember: you can find Natalie here.

Related:

Geezeo Expert James Altucher
Geezeo Expert Farnoosh Torabi
Geezeo Expert John Amorison

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This entry was posted on Monday, November 3rd, 2008 at 9:00 am and is filed under Budget. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.