Frugality isn't just pinching pennies or cutting coupons, it's a lifestyle that offers freedom and creativity, especially for neurodivergent individuals as we often tend to have a harder time working or finding and keeping work. Making sure every dollar counts can be a real challenge when navigating the world with unique challenges. Yet, integrating frugal habits can unlock benefits like reduced stress and greater financial stability. By understanding these challenges and changing spending habits, neurodivergent individuals can better manage their finances while staying true to their unique needs and strengths.
Adopting frugal habits isn't just a lifestyle choice; it's a key to enhancing well-being, reducing stress, and embracing a more balanced life.
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The Importance of Frugality for Neurodivergent Individuals
Financial stress is a common in many people's lives, but for neurodivergent individuals, the pressures can be especially challenging. Frugality offers a pathway to alleviate this stress, providing both security and a sense of control.
- Stress Reduction: Managing expenses carefully can prevent overwhelming debt, a significant source of anxiety. It also prevents overdue bills and extra fees from that. It also allows you to see subscriptions you are paying for that you might not be using much or at all and you can eliminate those. I use Google sheets to track things. If you are not a sheet person, pencil, paper anything can work. And just do it for a month if it is overwhelming to do long term.
- Enhanced Creativity: Limitations can spark creativity. Finding new ways to save money can become a fulfilling endeavor. Discover how financial conservatism can boost creativity here.
- Improved Quality of Life and Relationship with Money: By focusing on what truly matters and distinguishing between needs and wants, neurodivergent individuals can lead a more fulfilling life. It also limits impulsive spending when there is a plan in place and can help with procrastination of financial tasks like budgeting. This can also help to plan for future issues that may come up such as loss of work. I am so so happy I put a plan together because I am currently out on leave from my job and my short term disability insurance failed me so I am going through an appeal process now that I have official diagnoses. I can't overstate the importance of having a plan.
Practical Tips for Frugal Living
Saving money and living frugally can feel like a challenge , but with the right tools and mindset, these practical tips aim to align your financial habits with your strengths, promoting both peace of mind and pockets full of potential.
Automation and Budgeting Tools
In today's digital age, apps can transform budgeting from a chore into a seamless part of your routine. Many tools cater to neurodivergent needs by simplifying the financial planning process. YNAB (You Need A Budget) is one app but it does have a monthly fee what doesn't these days right.
Mint used to be good but it isn't around anymore and I am looking for an alternative. If anyone knows of one let me know. Weekly seems to be similar to Mint so I am going to give it a try as there is a free and paid version. Apps like these help track spending, set goals, and even visualize cash flow, which can be particularly useful if you have ADHD.
Setting Financial Goals
Setting financial goals can feel daunting and boring but is something beneficial, especially for us neurodivergent individuals. By harnessing our unique ways of thinking can lead to innovative goal-setting. Start by aligning your goals with your strengths:
- Visualize Your Goals: Use charts or digital boards to create a visual representation of your financial journey. Some apps have charts built in. Or you can use a spreadsheet.
- Small, Manageable Steps: Break down goals into smaller, tangible steps, celebrating each milestone as you progress.
- Set up Autopay: If you tend to remember bills after they are due set up autopay with your bank account or for each of your bills. Fees can rack up fast, ask me how I know, and autopay has been so helpful to me.
Low-Cost Meal Planning
Meal planning doesn't have to be exhausting or wasteful. I've honestly always had a challenge with this as my food hyperfocus changes after a couple of weeks. I would recommend trying (or modifying) a system that works with—not against—your tendencies. Here are some ideas:
- Batch Cooking: Prepare larger quantities of meals to save both time and resources.
- Flexible Ingredients: Opt for ingredients that adapt to multiple recipes throughout the week.
Mindful Spending Techniques
Spending mindfully is like playing a strategy game. It involves thought, planning, and sometimes a bit of creativity:
- Gamify Your Savings: Set small challenges for yourself, like saving any change under $5 at the end of each day or creating a ‘no spend’ day every week.
- Detailed Shopping Lists: Before heading to the store, craft a comprehensive list to avoid impulse buys.
Thrifting and Upcycling
Thrifting is more than finding a good deal—it's a treasure hunt with rewards for your wallet and the planet. We sometimes go on thrifting dates just to see what we can find. Some places have gotten expensive though with their pricing for donated things (looking at you goodwill) Looking at upcycling as a creative outlet can transform old items into new finds:
- Sustainability and Savings: By reimagining and repurposing, you cut costs while reducing waste.
- Crafting Opportunities: Upcycled projects can be a relaxing hobby and an opportunity to personalize your space. And some items could be sold as a side hustle.
Cash back Apps
Get some cash from stores you already shop at These are the main one's I use:
- Fetch Rewards: scan receipts from places you already shop at. Works for both paper and digital receipts. I even scan receipts from random places like gas station and goodwill receipts. And I will grab receipts other people have left. Any little thing helps these days.
- Ibotta: Also a receipt scanning app but it requires more effort. Unlike Fetch where you just snap a photo and get rewards , with Ibotta you need to select items you bought then snap a photo of the receipt or multiple receipts
- Mypoints: Also has a receipt snapping part but it is like Ibotta where you have to select items then upload. I have an extension so when I shop online it will tell me the deals and points for the site. Pretty awesome. You can also get points for some emails you get, clicking on the link will get you points. Playing games or taking surveys is also an option. I haven't had much luck with those though.
- Rakuten: This one is pretty cool also. It also has an extension you can use. Mine for Mypoints and Rakuten are on Chrome. Like My points, it automatically pops up when there are deals or cash back on a site. Rakuten is cash back unlike Mypoints that has a point system. You get cash back sent to whatever you have set up to receive cash back, in my case I used my PayPal. Cash back is sent out every 3 months. I always forget about it so it's a nice little surprise when it shows up.
Reward Credit cards
These need to be used cautiously. You don't want to rack up a lot of debt trying to get cash back. Don't ask me how I know, my younger self was stupid. But when used right, credit cards can be a great way to earn extra money. Especially combined with the above apps, it's double dipping.
I have 3 cards with cash back Discover and a Visa through my bank, that I use the cash back a few times a year to pay my balance like around the holidays. The other one is through a credit union and I get gift cards for that one. I have had $100 cash back before for like Walmart so half our groceries were free. Pretty cool right?
Get Creative with Everyday things
- Shampoo and conditioner: Despite what consumerism tells us we don't need a product for everything. I use shampoo bars and sometimes bottled shampoo, both can also double as a body wash. So when I suds up my hair I use the rest as body wash. Same goes for conditioner use it for shaving.
- Cutting your own hair: I know I know this is a hard one. I had to give up going to the salon for a cut and color, it was 200 bucks just for that in this economy. I have cut my hair 3x myself this year using Youtube tutorials. I was nervous at first but honestly it was easy and not a lot to mess up. And this is coming from a person that messes up like A LOT! Here are a couple of the videos I used. I started out with the first one and recently gave the second a try. Both turned out good and I felt great like I do when I leave the salon. Just don't go too crazy and end up with Brad Mondo reacting.
- https://youtu.be/MYCkEn19XR0?si=TWp7S-x6XItKBnr9
- https://youtu.be/BPS3Ts_bZVI?si=RYIOZLjBZ4YzWI7b
- Making dog treats or toys: Hit up Pinterest for some great ideas on all things dogs. I have been making dog treats this year and it has saved me big time. Especially now I am pet sitting a lot more than I used to.
- Get a Bidet: Seriously get one there are many models and they are affordable. And you use way less tissue and its better for the environment. And if there is ever another pandemic ( I sure the heck hope not) you are all set.
Building a Supportive Community
Creating a supportive network is helpful for anyone striving to maintain financial stability. It also provides shared experiences and resources that can guide and inspire. How do you find a community that uplifts and encourages frugal living?
Finding Like-Minded Individuals
In the digital age, platforms like forums, social media groups, and even financial planning apps become meeting grounds for those who share the same frugal goals. Facebook Groups, Reddit communities, and Meetup.com provide spaces for connection and learning.
Here's where to start looking:
- Facebook Groups: Search for groups focused on frugality, budgeting, or neurodiversity. These communities provide a haven for members to exchange tips and support. I have recently joined these groups and I have gotten some good tips. There are many more groups than these listed, I didn't want to get overwhelmed and confused by joining too many groups.
- Reddit: Subreddits like r/frugal and related communities offer a platform for asking questions and sharing advice on budgeting and lifestyle tips.
Coping with Impulse Spending
Navigating impulse spending can feel like a huge challenge for some neurodivergent people, where decision-making might be influenced by unique neurological patterns, finding effective strategies is essential. Here, we focus on ways to add friction to impulsive purchases and track habits to use as guides for the future.
Implementing Friction in Spending
Adding friction to spending is like installing speed bumps on your finances. This approach helps slow down impulsive tendencies. This friction acts as a “time out” before you confirm your purchase.
- Waiting Periods: Introduce a standard waiting period for any non-essential purchase. This could be 24 hours or even a week. Giving yourself time to pause and reflect often reduces impulse buys. I often put things in an online cart (I just put one together on Amazon before writing this post) and I will think about it for a day or two. Often I will find I don't need the things in the cart or I will scale down the purchases.
- Out of Reach Payment Methods: Keep credit cards or online payment methods out of easy reach. This additional step can give you the pause needed to reconsider a purchase. I keep my purse downstairs when I am online. Things like Paypal, Gpay or Apple Pay make this more difficult these days as more sites are accepting those types of payments.
- Cash-Only Zone: Using only cash for purchases can limit overspending, as you allocate a specific amount for discretionary spending. And obviously you wouldn't be able to hit pay as easily as when online. I lose everything so I don't keep cash on me. I like the ability to turn a card off if I lose it.
- Make Lists: And stick to it! Take someone with you if you tend to wander. I go to stores like Ruler Foods now so I am not able to go exploring the other sections of places like Walmart or Target.
Tracking Spending Habits
Keeping a spending journal can unravel patterns in your financial behavior. Documenting every expense helps create awareness and reveals the triggers of impulsive buys.
- Daily Journaling: Record what you spent, how much, and why. Was it a need, or was it just something to lift your spirits momentarily? This practice can identify spending triggers and habits over time.
- Use Technology: Apps specifically designed to track spending can offer insights by categorizing expenses and highlighting areas of concern.
- Reflect Regularly: Take a moment each week to review your spending. Consider what purchases were necessary and which were not. Understanding your habits is the first step in changing them.
Embracing Frugality on a Neurodivergent Path
For those navigating the neurodivergent spectrum, aligning with frugality can be more than just a strategic approach to managing finances—it's a journey towards inspiration and self-discovery. By integrating personal strategies and creating supportive networks, it's possible to create a financial path that respects unique neurological experiences while encouraging growth.
Commit to the Journey
The next step is action. Reflect on your unique neurodivergent strengths and decide how you'll employ these frugal strategies. Embrace small changes, celebrate each financial victory, and don't forget that you're creating a more satisfying and secure future with confidence and creativity. Trust the process and let frugality be your guide on this liberating journey. Remember that you are not alone in this pursuit of financial wellness. Many people these days are embracing their frugal side and changing the ways they handle finances.
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