Transitions

I have recently gone through a transition where my salary was cut in half. I'm so grateful that my mother and grandmother taught me the skills of frugal living. If I didn't know how to "squeeze a dime 'till it screams" as my mother used to say, I would have had a much more difficult time.

Beyond the concrete changes I've made (spending less, cutting luxuries out), there has been an emotional component as well. I am committed to never working in an environment I loathe again but am also aware that my time and experience are valuable and should be compensated accordingly. This transition has taught me not only to be careful about the work I choose but to be mindful about how I treat myself while navigating a new path.

Living on less during a transition has taught me:

1. Stop comparing. This isn't just about not comparing myself to the Joneses and all their cool stuff, but to stop comparing where I am now to where I was. Whether you make more or less, it's important to focus on the present and the best possible way to move forward;

2. Saving is more important than any new gadget, piece of clothing or fabulous meal. I lamented (stop that! see #1 above) that I had spent so much on things I didn't really need and wished I had saved more. To make saving easier, I automated my savings through Emigrant Direct;

3. Quality of life should be part of any new career path. Calculate your real hourly wage before taking a new position. The salary may seem grand and tempting, but if you include commuting, the wardrobe required, a realistic work week (will there be community meetings in the evening in addition to the 40 hour week?), stress levels (will you need to take an hour after the commute to calm the rage?), etc., you may not be making that much money after all; and

4. Find fun things to do that don't require spending money. Like most Americans, the more I made, the more I used to spend. Making less has knocked some sense into me and made me realize how unhealthy that behavior pattern is. Instead of spending a fortune on going to movies, etc., I've discovered new walking paths near my house, had tea parties with friends and spent more time learning new recipes.

As strange as it may sound, making less and living more frugally has given me a greater appreciation of each day. I'm more engaged in my life and mindful of each choice that I make. It's far better than being on auto pilot, commuting to an unpleasant job and spending unconsciously for a temporary, hollow thrill.