The blogsphere is abuzz about Frugal Capitalists, people who cut back expenses and make it a point to earn more money. While, I enjoy not wasting money, I have been doing things lately to earn more cash. It’s not enough just to cut out expenses like dining and getting regular manicures. If you really want to make moves, you have to also earn more money.
I’ve been side hustlin’, doing more freelance articles like this one. Sure, I have to pay taxes on the money, but I still come out ahead. Because I’m not running the streets as much, I have more time to complete projects that earn income.
Bloggers Afrobella and $ out of $.15 posted on side hustles, recently.
Are you a frugal capitalist? Do you think Americans chase dollars too much? Do you have side jobs to earn income? If so, let me know!
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This Sunday, me and my wife saved some cash and had a good time by seeing the first showing of SATC at an AMC movie theatre in Davie. The 10:30 am showing was only $4. We had breakfast before we went and because it was 10:30 a.m. we wre not in the mood to eat any popcorn, eat candy, or drink any soda. We had a fun time for only $8 (free parking). Oh, yeah: bargain hunting, a full-time job, and side work is the only way you can protect yourself during tough times.
I think Americans chase the trappings of wealth too much. I think earning more money is great to an extent but IMO, it shouldn’t be one’s highest priority. For me, a well-balanced and enjoyable life is worth more than money. Sure, I could work more to have more money but what’s the point? Lots of money in the bank but no time or energy to use/enjoy it? I would rather have the free time to enjoy my friends and family and pursue my hobbies and interests.
I’ve heard it said (paraphrasing here) that money is a wonderful servant but a horrible master. Money is nothing but a tool to be used as we see fit.
I agree there needs to be a balance between pursuing wealth and maintaining a quality of life but you can’t deny that on many levels the two are tied together. Most people I know, don’t have the luxury of not putting in extra time at work on on their side gigs in hopes of attaining the financial security they need to enjoy a decent quality of life, and the unfortunate thing is that our economy isn’t making that any easier for anyone.
Yes balance is important but I do like having money come in from various sources..lol
I do not have a side hustle that translates into dollars but I am working on that.
Oh I used to fill out surveys and now I just have an inbox filled with them, some are so boring…
I always look to essence mag. to see what side hustles they will post. Oh and I wanted to become a mystery shopper but I dont think my schedule will allow it.
Great post
Product Junkie Diva
Still Broke- You are in the frugal zone.
Savvy-If I didn’t have debt that I wanted to slay, I’m not sure how much I would be side hustlin’. Your philosophy is right on. I just learned it too late.
$- You speak the truth.
@ $, I think you inadvertently hit the nail on the head. Part of the problem is what people today consider a “decent quality of life”. I don’t believe that entails a bunch of non-necessities purchased on credit. I don’t think you (the general you) need premium cable, Starbucks, flat screen TVs, iPods, smart phones, frequent dinners out or a closet full of clothes to have a decent quality of life.
The current economic state is a result of individual choices. Sub-prime loans, ever-increasing gasoline consumption, massive credit card debt, etc. weren’t forced onto anyone. The ‘economy’ is not what’s making it hard, people’s decisions are. The financial plight that many are experiencing now is nothing more than sleeping in the bed you’ve made.
@ Savvy, I’d never disagree that much of what we’re dealing with in the economy today is the result of poor consumer choices en mass. What that ignores, however, is the symbiotic relationship between poor consumer choices and whacked economic policy. The flip side of the person buying an $800k house on a $40k salary with a triple-negative-amortization mortgage is the investment banker trafficking in mortgage-backed strips. The consumer who took one of those loans should have known better but could not have been expected to know about the financial machinery cranking these things out.
But what I was really talking about earlier was much more basic. The bottom line is the cost of EVERYTHING is going up, fast, and you don’t have to spend frivolously to be affected. Those of us with means sometimes forget that not everyone has discretionary income that they can cut back on if need be. I’m a business reporter and see the data daily: wages have been stagnant for years and now the unemployment rolls are growing. Procter & Gamble, a company I cover, raised its prices on several household staple items by six percent earlier this year. What do you do when you make $10 an hour, gas costs half that and even toothpaste is up?
I am always looking for a deal. In addition to keeping spending at a minimum, I have signed up with a couple focus groups. That’s not steady work but when you get it you end up with an envelope full of cash for one or two hours of giving your opinion about perfume or whatever.
Another hustle I have helping my boyfriend sell t-shirts he designed of a certain political candidate on the weekends. He’s got the talent and I bring the salesmanship. That money goes towards weekend activities so we don’t break our budget.
The fact of the matter is: Money may not buy happiness, but poverty don’t buy nothing!
Like my daddy, Still Broke Sr. once said:
No matter how much you rub two food stamps together, it will never spark a financial fire.
@still broke-to the corner you go! to the naughty chair! lol
@ $, Those same poor consumer choices you mention have a direct correlation to the fact that the price of everything is going up. We live in a capitalist society which means that suppliers will charge as much as the market will bear for their goods. If people didn’t buy things they couldn’t afford (be it a house or an iPod), the demand for those items would decrease. And basic economics shows that with a plentiful supply and low demand, prices decrease.
Conversely, when there is limited supply and high demand, prices increase. Therefore, Americans with their endless demand for oil/gasoline have pushed that price up. However, many people don’t realize that the price of oil/gas drives much more than just what it costs you to fill your tank. That toothpaste you buy that was made in China, you need gas to get it here. That cheese you’re eating from those happy California cows when you live on the east coast, gas to get it here. That wonderful out of season fruit you enjoy that was shipped from South America, gas to get it here. Prices are not just increasing arbitrarily or independently of American consumer behavior as a whole.
As for what you do when you make $10/hour, apply for a Pell Grant and go to community college at night so that you can increase your salary to $15/hour. I’ve volunteered with an organization that attempts to help low-income families improve their situation. I say attempts because you’d be amazed at the resistance you get from people who say they need help. I teach a budgeting class where the students come late, refuse to participate and leave early then get mad when they find out they won’t get credit for the class. Note that once they attend a certain number of classses (all geared toward educating them to do better), they will receive financial and other assistance (such as housing, career, etc.).
Thanks for the mention! I just found your site and am glad to have found a treasure trove of frugal tips.
Thanks for the shout out!! I am trying to find a working side hustle — that Zlio thing isn’t happenin’ for me though. I need to get on the freelance wagon (been kind of overwhelmed job-wise of late, so that can be hard for me). But I need to push myself. Also, I’m cutting back on extras, like Starbucks. I found an excellent recipe for my favorite Starbucks item, so I’m gonna just be making my frothy hot beverages from home!