Be Frugal, Instead Of A Slave To Mindless Consumerism
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- Опубликовано: 11 май 2023
- Stop wasting your opportunities and live your life to its fullest potential.
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We live in a bubble where we are unable to see all of the opportunities that we have in life. And we are often unable to recognize these opportunities due to mindless consumerism. If we understood all of the economic opportunities that we have in life, we would probably live our lives differently. In this video, I want to make you aware of all of the economic opportunities that many of us have in our lives that we take for granted.
1. The Privilege of Being Frugal
Being frugal and choosing to make conscious financial decisions to take control over your financial well being is a privilege that not everyone possesses. Many people in this world have so little access to money that the second they make money, they are forced to spend it on things for basic survival. If you have the ability to make small decisions in your life to cut your spending and save money, it means that you have enough money to potentially live a life beyond basic survival.
2. 1,000,001 Ways To Make Money
Although money doesn't always come easy and plentiful, we still have many options to make money in our lives whether that's through various jobs, starting your own business, or getting money from the gig economy. It is important to recognize that there are many ways to make money because for many people in this world, the only way to make money is by hustling and making small amounts of money at a time. Even getting a job at McDonald's flipping burgers can be unattainable to many people in this world. If you live in a developed economy that has many jobs available, it is important to recognize that privilege.
3. The Ability To Think More Than 5 Years In The Future
There is often a lot of talk about inflation and the dollar losing a lot of its value and although we have experienced high inflation over the past year, compared to many places around the world it is not that much. Countries like Venezuela and Argentina experience hyperinflation that makes it very hard to save and plan for the future. When you have a stable currency, it allows you to do things like plan for retirement, save for a house, or even invest to beat out inflation. It is important to recognize that privilege of having a currency that is stable and take advantage by planning for the future.
4. A Comfortable Standard
In the United States, we live in a bubble where we're unable to see how luxurious our lives are. We view luxury as having a bunch of nice material possessions and go in a bunch of debt to be able to afford what we perceive as luxury. However, compared to many people around the world, even if you have a basic standard of living in the United States, you are living a very comfortable, luxurious life. It is important to not take all of the normal comforts we have for granted and when you don't take them for granted, you don't desire to seek the very superficial definition of comfort.
5. Limitless Possibilities
We have so much potential in life to seek a life beyond just basic survival; however, we throw it all away to mindless consumerism. We throw away our opportunities by living above our means and getting in a bunch of debt. If you are able to recognize the economic opportunities that we have in life, it inspires you to take more risks and seek the life you want because not everyone has what you have.
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Хобби
What is one comfort you often take advantage of?
Fantastic independent cafes. The great coffee, the vibe, the people watching. Not going to listen to that "latte factor" financial dude. ;)
Clean water and healthcare
Clean water and abundance of choice at BJ'S.
Making meals at home using my pressure cooker and high-power blender.
A car. A house. High speed internet.
🤣🤣 Loved the quote "there is more to life than losing weight, paying off debt, and sitting in traffic..." TRUE!
It’s been too long I can’t Remember there is
It's true!
we need to meditate
That one got me lol
@@ElAgustin more to life like wat ...I want to understand don't judge me though....so being fat is good or wat ?
I am on a ‘ strict’ diet to lose 20 or 30 lbs , it occurred to me today , how blessed I am to have this problem to solve !
People call me cheap because I'm a minimalist, but I feel stress-free and relaxed nowdays.
Ikr. You can sleep peacefully at night. No worries. That’s awesome 😊
If our politicians were cheap we wouldn’t be bankrupt. Good to be frugal.
Is it about being cheap or buying things that add value or will last a long time? You can still be a minimalist and spend a lot of money on things. However, those things typically (and hopefully) will last longer.
@@daCubanaqt Yeah I normally think about how long something will last when I purchase items.
It’s funny how other people want to push you to be stupid with your money. Calling me cheap is an honor not an insult. I’m not stupid 😂
Wise beyond your years, grasshopper!
"Don't be a slave to mindless consumerism.". Unfortunately, I learned this a little too late. I'm an old lady now, but I have adopted frugal living, both by necessity and conscious decision. I love your channel. Que Dios te bendiga, Austin!
Here in Sweden, most people are so used to having EVERYTHING you could ask for in life. (Of course, some ARE poor here too). We just don't realize how lucky we are: Jobs, education, healthcare, food, clean water, good housing, public transportation, freedom of speech, freedom of religion...abundance and economic opportunity. But are we aware? Only sometimes.
Here in Spain the same , eventhough our salaries are lower , most people have their basic needs covered .And we have to realize how lucky we are.
Sweden is up in flames
It sucks here in America. Our food is poison, a trip to the hospital will bankrupt you, crime is insane, and homelessness and drug addiction are normal. Plus our wages vs our cost of living is a joke..everywhere. We are in the verge of collapse any day now and it’s terrifying.
Those Scandinavian countries really have it together.
Wow! There are a lot of You tubers giving advice on minimalism, frugality and living your best life. But this is the first time that someone actually spelled out what we have and what the rest of the world doesn't have. Bravo, Austin!
the rest of the world?
@@mooshway2000 The rest of the world that he describes
Yes I agree. Being frugal is a trend and people want to be frugal because it's trendy. Austin gets into the bottom of consumerism and opens our eyes
Well he touched on a point that I use. I practice gratitude. I live in an old apartment. And on one hand it feels archaic and really old, not modern or efficient. However, on the other hand I had lived in a foreign country and visited natives who live in homes far more archaic and ancient. Like a nipa hut, the stove is used with kindle and wood for cooking. So in the middle, I can look at with fresh eyes that which makes what I have feel modern and new. With a touch of a button, I have fire to cook with and bake. I have indoor plumbing for showers and toilet, with a flick of my wrist I have water out of my faucet. I have an old fridge, but still works and able to make food last. I have toilet paper instead of leaves. Then I realize, what am I complaining about. Its really about perception. There is so much to be grateful for. I cant imaging foraging for sticks just to start a fire to make coffee. Or grinding beans by hand on a pestle. I would have to go back to bed just after breakfast from all that work. I am so glad I went to experiance another way of life so that I have something to compare to and appreciate what I have. It really is just all about comfort. So, I don't take anything for granted.
This is the best minimalism channel on RUclips that I have come across by a country mile
When you showed us the stats about Venezuela's inflation I started to cry. I knew that South America is poor, but seeing it on paper just broke my heart. I am polish living in UK and I always been telling my British in law's that there is nothing to complain about here. They sometimes moan about butter prices or gas and it's nothing compared to eastern Europe. I always tell them that we are really privileged. They are humble people, but yet they just don't know the reality. Just like I didn't know how hard it is in Venezuela. I now refuse to spend money on goods and I don't want to be a slave!
This is a great video! My parents came to this country when I was 4. They were always amazed at how much abundance there was in this country - and how much people who lived here took it for granted. They instilled the value of frugality in me because that is how they grew up and how they lived. To this day, I am grateful at how many opportunities we have here. The choice to live frugally is a gift for sure!
"We waste so much of our resources". So true!
What I find most sinister is when somebody wants you to have a credit card when you have actual money. Particularly when I was in the United States. People wanted me to use a credit card, even when I had actual savings to give them there and then, it’s a great way to make people feel like they have more money than they have, means you don’t need to increase their wages, and it also means that you can entice them into being reckless and blame it on them if they ever Get into financial trouble.
I've learned a lot from you.. there are heaps of financial teachers out there but your teachings are the most realistic to me.
You are so on point! I’m from a 3rd world country who migrated to the United States and every now and then I have to be thankful for all the comfort we enjoy and many of us just don’t appreciate because it is expected. Like hot and cold water, taking warm showers, flushing toilet paper in the toilet! Oh my goodness! I know what you were describing and it’s the reality in many other countries. When I was living in my country, we didn’t have shower, we put maybe 5 gallons of water in a bucket, while we shower we step in a basin, we collect the water so we will use it to flush the toilet. (That was real, no joke. That was how it was and I believe it still is in other parts of the world.
And now you live in a country where there is waste and trash on a scale that boggles the mind. We waste so much water that by the time one of our major rivers reaches the sea there is nothing left of it. We waste gallons of water just to remove urine from our toilets because we find the sight of yellow water offensive.
We have lost sight of what it means to live in harmony with nature and this planet.
It’s that way in America in some places. But if you state that, then you can’t put America down, which is very fashionable right now.
I heard of a course leader speaking to a group of long term unemployed here in Australia, who began his presentation with the question "Who would like to be in the top 10% of income in the world?" Most put up their hands and he sprang on them the fact that with the unemployment benefit in Aus, they were already in the top 10%. It helps to look at your situation from a different perspective. Not to demean them, but to help them rise above the culture of always needing more. Thanks for the video 👍🇦🇺
Reduce, re-use, repurpose, recycle, don't be a slave to ownership.
That's why I dnt understand how people in Europe or ppl from America can complain about not having hot water when it's hot outside or so many little complaints when they come to Asia.....just have to be grateful of all the things around you❤ guys
People in Asian never complain? That is not true.
Just came back to the US after living in the UK for the last five years. The thing that jumped out to me was that everyone had a new car. The avarage US car payment is $750. People have no food and no future but those leather seats are nice....
It's true, in today's modern western world, we still don't realize how lucky we are. Only a small percent of the world population is able to live to our standard. Just living a simple life with the standard municipal conveniences is like winning the lottery in a less developed country. A few years ago I spent four months travelling my country (Canada) in an RV. When I returned home I felt like being able to shower however long I liked at any time was worth a million dollars!
My lovely daughter is adopted from Guatemala. Such a lovely place. Truly kind, spiritual, joyful, and frugal people. Life is hard there. Glad you got to enjoy my adopted country and level up with your Spanish, which is already excellent.
My daughter is from Guatemala, beautiful people inside and out-💞
Agreed How
wonderful! Your truly blessed and so is she. ❤
Listening to you is a lesson in gratefulness.
This man is spitting facts! Glad I started figuring this stuff out before it was too late.
This is an excellent message, Austin. You can make a similar argument about how (most) Americans live today relative to just few hundred years ago, before the age of antibiotics, anesthesia, central heating, fossil fuel-powered transportation, etc. Life is so much easier today in so many ways: who would choose to launder their clothes in a stream if you could do it in a washing machine? All these conveniences also make us more vulnerable and I would guess that we're also more vulnerable than many of the Guatemalans you reference. If you're used to flushing toilet paper, putting it in the little garbage can be a challenge (at least at first--I've done it myself in Costa Rica). Should the dollar ever fully collapse, mayhem would ensue; if you've saved your whole life for a retirement that gets snatched from you (and it does happen here even today) you'll likely have a more severe psychological reaction than if you'd never planned to retire in the first place. My point is that I wonder if Guatemalans (or so many places that are less developed than the USA) aren't better prepared for the future than those of us who believe, based on the recent past, that we have control of our financial futures and are all set. A lot to think about!
Hi Austin! I'm a native of Mexico and I enjoy and appreciate your counsel about frugality I find it fascinating to see life from different perspectives based on frugality it has helped me enormously especially on my path to a stable economy at my 62 yrs of age. You've added value to my life. God bless you on your endeavor
Thank you Austin for your honest open minded sharing. I love listening to you. Eres un joven muy inteligente y sensible.🥰
Wow Austin. I am totally convicted. Your videos are so honest and genuine. I need to hear every word. I am considered lower middle class in the US, but I realize I have everything I need and more. Consumerism had a hold on me, but continuously watching your videos helps loosen the grip! Thank you so much friend :) p.s. You're a riot, love your humor and I am subscribed!!!
Just applied for my teenage sons passport earlier this week. Am planning a trip with them to Central America soon (I’ve been there many times), to hammer home the things they need to appreciate, before the debt and consumer lifestyle program gets ahold of them.
I love your honesty in your videos. Many of us have not traveled, and although we read about places, we have not experienced them. Thank you. 😂😅
Frugality is a privilege-so true
My boy got that Spanish locked in!
Most of my Life I only worked at one job, making not much more than minimum wage. About 15 years ago I got 2 part time jobs, work around 50+ hours a week. I was able to more than double my income, pay off debt, and for the first time (and the last), I bought a new car. I was able to pay off the car 3 years early. I am now no longer in debt, and have not been broke in the last 15 years. I love watching Austin's channel because it has helped me to be even smarter when it comes to my finances. I applaud people like Austin for what they do, helping to encourage people to be more financially intelligent. Bravo sir!
Love your videos Austin. Love your enthusiasm and your wisdom. I subscribed a long time ago. Minimalism? Anti-consumerism? I’m totally onboard with it!
You are amazing. I’m from Latin America and living in USA. You put the right words to us appreciate what we have. 👏👏👏
I just realized that whether you are from a first world country or to a third world country (which I am from), we experience same struggles in life. God placed us in a unique geographic location and he knows that we will learn to survive be it in a cold freezing weather or in a hot humid weather.
And it’s amazing to see my country on your list of subscribers! I thought only people like us had to hustle and listen to contents like this on RUclips. It is amazing how we share same problems and in a way had same solution!
As always fantastic. Coming from Scotland I thought my home country was consumerist, and it is but it has taken me twenty years and a major start on downsizing to shake myself out of paycheck habit buying.
I love your channel and insights.
The other advantage of frugality is that it slows inflation.
My daughter is from Guatemala. ❤ Thank you for sharing your wisdom. 😊
This was such a thoughtful video. Your empathy and kindness is a slap in the face wake-up reminder to be aware, grateful and do something positive for others with what I do have.❤
You always make me think outside the box.
Awesome video
Watching it again just like all of your other videos
I love listening to you!!! You are wise beyond your years…
I wish you were around when i was younger!!!
Thanks!!
Just found your channel and love the content. Especially pointing out the toilet paper issue, I agree, we don't know how easy we have it!
Thats my problem,shoppinh addiction....
Austin, this is an amazing video. I will say (again) how much your perspective is needed at the high school and college level of education, as well as in the mainstream media as a "sideline" to nightly news. Not everyone will like or believe you, but at least they will have the option.
Right now, our nation needs to hear your unique 'take' on things, more than ever before.
Note: ever considered arranging a trip of a dozen "gringos" to some of those places you know so well, like Guatemala or ?? And you could include daily classes on your most popular podcasts! Where do I sign up???
I lived in Brazil most of my life, we dealt with hyperinflation (not as bad as Venezuela) back in the 80's but things for the middle class were much better back then, with all that inflation, than now.
When you have a high inflation environment you get used to it and it's only a matter of mathematics. It's much less misleading because you see what goes on, while "stable" currencies are slowly corroded. Interest rates below (real) inflation are the most evil thing against the poor because it gate keeps wealth preservation to the ones who can buy real assets. We're forced to take losses or gamble in the stock market otherwise.
It's ok to live without the ability to flush toilet paper, you just have a different routine where you dispose of your trash bags once a day if necessary, plus you can't flush wet wipes in most homes here anyways (if you do the right thing) so you always end up with stuff to deal with. I would rather have Brazilian health care (private or good insurance, but the public system isn't that awful in comparison with some frugal European countries that have a system designed to be statistically good but lacking when you need it). The major problem I see on undeveloped countries is violence, as too many people live at or below the poverty line, but that derives from the lack of effective welfare policies and it also affects the United States and other liberal countries. This is 90% of the reason why I don't live in Brazil right now, otherwise I'd be there, to be honest.
Also, many people like you believe that if more people are frugal society does better, but I can tell you it's the opposite. America works well for the frugals because there's an abundance (and waste) culture. If you adopt the European style you'll see how annoying is to pay for every single little thing, everything is more expensive because of all the added control, there's a plethora of issues that come with the benefits of the "other system". Ideally we'd be able to move between countries and live wherever we feel suits our needs best, but that's also gate kept and if you're not wealthy or "appealing" enough they won't allow for it to happen (otherwise I'd have moved to the United States or Canada when I was younger). Enjoy the benefits of what you have and, of course, if you don't like it, consider moving. But be warned you might not like what you find if you cross the wrong bridge (for you).
Your amazing! You really make me think how luck we all are and to be grateful for everything we have 🔥
Thanks!
Haha amo Tu acento en Espanol 😆, so true what you are saying coming from Panama which " we are a little better because of the Panama canal" still a lot of struggles and real problems , here the USA there is an abundance of opportunities, I am loving the life thanks to my husband ( originally from here) to stay at home with my kids ( it's unthinkable in many latinamerican countries , cause you don't make.ends meet ) , I don't care.about the johneses and consumerism because like you said priorities are different because how you stated you don't have that economical advantage etc , excelente contenido
Always look forward to your videos, thank you!
Yay! I love starting my day with your videos. So inspiring
Thank you for this perspective. I needed this reminder today!
Another awesome video as usual. I’m one of your older ladies that have stuck around. I enjoy listening to young folks who have good sense and you always give me a different perspective to look from. Keep it up!😊
I believe traveling around the world is the most beneficial action a person can do. I remember the first time I had to put the toilet paper in a bin and was so confused LOL. Although I have definitely been to 3rd world countries that keep their cities so much cleaner than here in the US.
Wonderful- thought provoking video, thank you Austin!
What a refreshing video! So nice to hear things from this perspective. ❤
I love your inputs. Thank you so much, you are enriching my life
I enjoy all of your videos and there is always something new to learn. Thanks to you and a few other frugal channels it's been 6 months since that last time I've placed an order on Amazon ❤. Inflation where I live is always on the rise, so this is why many people buy gold coins as gold value rises over time.
A great message. Thank you.
In other words , we’re blessed !!
Buying organic is a luxury I am grateful for
Very thoughtful and humbling insights.
Señor Agustin bravo!!
You made my day, so much truth in your wise words. ❤ 👏 thank you!!
You are great.👍 I enjoy your videos a lot. Best wishes from a hungarian living in Germany.👋
Fantastic video. So very true. We are so very lucky, just because we were born in a different country.
Outstanding, Austin! Thanks, again!
Just subscribed. Loved this video so much.! Thank You can’t wait for the next one. A breath of new air.
One of the most important videos I’ve watched. Thank you 🙏
Eye opening. Thank you.
Wonderful video and message(s)! Thank you
I really appreciate the things you have to say. Bonus, you are bilingual and articulate.
Another good job Austin. Love watching you
This particular vídeo really stirred gratitude in me.
I am pushing all the buttons and sharing your videos.❤
One of your best.
Wow. You dropped some knowledge. Congrats young brother for your genuine share care.
Excellent perspective Austin! Never been to a country with this kind of lack of modern amenities we all take for granted in the USA. Certainly helps me appreciate my flush toilet! And the benefits of frugality too, of course.
Thanks, Austin, this has made me think about things in a very different way.
This video changed my entire mindset about money thank you sir
Awesome!
Love your perspective and videos so much! I’m one of the ladies and I’m staying!
Thank you!
Loved this one!
Another fabulous video, thank you!
Serious truth.
Wow You went to my home country! that's awesome Agustin Bravo!!
I am very anxious for the future and dont know what to do with my life. I know for the next 2 years what I need to do to stay afloat. Do not get kicked out/fail my classes. This is a huge amount of pressure. So much so I cant even get myself to relax. Its upsetting really, that life has come to be this way.
Maybe start praying and reading the Bible? The Lord is very very real
Amen! ❤ another great video!!
(1) I love the new graphics that are appearing in your videos nowadays,
(2) It touched my heart to hear of the ways people earn minuscule amounts of money by hustling 6:03
I subscribed already... Love all your videos, El Agustín...
Video 113 was a gem!!
thank you !!
I love your videos because you make so much sense 💋
Now it's ok, but I remember '90 in my country (Serbia, ex Yugoslavia republic) - at that time, the goods had one price in the store shelf, but that price would be increased by the time we reached the cash register. Inflation was so high back then.
Our bills were printed daily and kept having more and more zeros. So I still keep banknotes that have an amount of 20,000,000,000 dinars and more. We were all billionaires then, and we could buy a box of eggs with that money (the average monthly salary was about $5).
Today it is different and we live normally (the lowest monthly salary is around $400 and prices are more or less stable - with that money, my wife and I live comfortably in the countryside (and we live from agriculture)).
Very good video. As usual..
Keep going! And - 👋👋👋
I wake up, turn on the tap, and get fresh clean cold water. I drink it, and pour my cup of hot coffee. I dont think about it. I clear the sink out, spray my homemade sanitizer in the sink. Why do I sanitize it? Not because of Covid. It is a habit I picked up years ago. I clean by cutting back, reducing. Clutter is a waste of money. That's me in a nutshell.
Well said, still holding off for one more year.
You're on fire, awesome 🔥
Listening to Austin’s videos are like pure poetry… the beauty of those words. I’m sure you were a literature major in college.. 👌👌❤️
Very insightful Austin, thank you:-))
I like when he speaks in his language, It makes sense we all need to take step back and see what's important!
Dobrze mówisz. Masz szeroki punkt widzenia. Dużo w tym zdrowego rozsądku. Zatem zasubskrybuję. Pozdrawiam z Polski 🇵🇱
Dziękuję
Que interesante lo que cuentas ....gracias por tus reflexiones , ayudan mucho antes parar y pensar ...ahora veces creo que somos un rebaño que actúa , piensa y vive de manera igual !!
Thanks!
Thank you!!!!! You're too kind!