Want to know an easy way to save money?
Be someplace where there is nothing to buy!
It may seem simplistic, but I tell you – it works!
Here in Bujumbura, Burundi I was excited to make it to the big city. Thinking that I might be able to buy a couple of things that I couldn’t find in DRCongo. Turns out that there is jack squat to buy here! I went in search of some treats for colleagues still back in DRC and came up with a measly pack of M&Ms! At least I know I’m not missing out on anything.
Another bonus is that the everyday items from the states were really expensive. When I looked at cheap brand of shampoo costing $15 it made me want to conserve the 2 oz that I brought for my initial month here!
Obviously you want to learn to resist the temptation of consumerism while you are inundated by it – but an easy way to save money is to retreat altogether.
This can be for a short weekend of going on a spending hiatus or a longer period of time.
For example, between high school and college I worked at Crater Lake Lodge. This was a fabulous way to save lots of money as there was nothing to buy even if I wanted to. It’s easy to save money and live frugal when you don’t really have a choice!
Keep in mind for this to work that you can’t spend a bunch of money in preparation of being somewhere where you can’t buy things! Otherwise you might not end up ahead at the end of the day.
Cheers,
Miel
