Why I Became Frugal

[@Sdelgado0267]

I am the same way Azul, no debt for me. Debt free since 2010. I'm 56yrs old and planning to retire at 62. thank you for sharing all this inspiring information. Frugality = Opportunity love that and yes is true.

[@xlerb2286]

My parents were born in the 20's and went through the great depression. That left them with a frugal streak that stayed with them the rest of their life. They weren't cheap, but boy could they trim expenses in order to have money for the things that were important to them. I'm not quite as good at it as they were but I'm sure my coworkers think I'm cheap. I'm not, but I don't buy things on credit, and having the latest toy doesn't mean anything to me. I may spend many thousand on an old car, but I won't spend a few hundred for a new phone. And I _can_ spend thousands now and then because I don't spend dollars here and there on things that don't matter.

[@stevebertagna7496]

Most successful people I know have been through an experience that sets their trajectory for life. Our childhood experiences often have this impact, like a theft of "Everything" would have. Perhaps Azul, "Frugality" is your most important gift from childhood! Blessed you are for such a gift!

[@johnzemetra6106]

Great video. My parents grew up during the depression and were frugal when we were growing up. My father taught me how to repair/fix just about anything to save money. My father was unemployed/underemployed when I was in high school plus my mother died when I was 11 years old. These years were tough but taught me a lot about the value of money and how to hustle to make a buck. I learned a lot from these years and has allowed me to retire at 51. Keep making great videos.

[@marke9817]

I am now coming up on 7 years into a retirement that started at 60, and I’m sure I owe more of the financial success of our retirement to frugality than amazing financial planning. Being frugal allowed us to pay off the mortgage on the third house we “owned” in 11 years (@10.25% mortgage rate, that was quite an investment). Being frugal gave us money to invest for retirement during my working years. Being frugal helped us to save enough for our kids to go to college before they graduated high school so we could sit back and relax. Most importantly for our quality of life; being frugal taught me that I really don’t need all the stuff to be happy. I appreciate your life values as much as the financial information.

[@kirstenlaird5060]

What a shocking story from your childhood! Thank you for sharing.

[@chipthigpen3173]

Been enjoying your channel for a while now Azul, and this is one of my favorite videos of yours. I loved your reasons for frugality, as I have become a frugal man myself in recent years. Saving and having a little money in the bank and investments and no debt except a little bit left on my mortgage reduces so much stress. Keep the great videos coming!

[@phil6740]

Very touching story about your family after the possessions got stolen thank you. Followed your videos from the start .

[@utmostpotential-stephaniem5125]

I’m sure somebody’s already mentioned this, but Higbee’s is featured in a Christmas story, not home alone. Love your videos Azul

[@AzulWells]

Hi Stephanie. Yes ... my bad. Two of my favorite holiday shows. I'm glad so many of my viewers know what "Higbee's" was. I use to love going there during Christmas time. As a little boy and even as a teenager. I wish stores still decorated like that ... And - thank you for pointing this out. 🎅🏻 Azul

[@utmostpotential-stephaniem5125]

I always wanted to go to Halle‘s seventh floor to see Mr. Jingaling. My brother and I could never get my mom to take us up there ha ha.

[@arthurthomasware5004]

Some excellent tips there, Azul. And your parents? Real champions. You were blessed indeed.

[@haileybeewrites]

7. Being frugal is different than being cheap 6. Being frugal means freedom (saving) 5. Don't like feeling like a pawn in the system (consumerism) 4. I don't like debt 3. Family health (don't know how much time we have) 2. Opens doors to adventures (travel) 1. Frugality chose Azul, he didn't choose frugality (grew up frugal with parents/family)

[@donnymac575]

Thanks!

[@AzulWells]

Thanks Hailey! 💙Azul

[@michaelgrabowski5140]

My folks were frugal. If it broke you fixed it if not fixable then kept around for parts. I remembered my mother scraping the wrappers on margarine sticks. My sister and I both use butter.

[@leehaskins307]

One of the things as I age is my our cars.. me and my wife enjoy luxery cars thru the years… and they are expensive to buy and maintain.. as we both age a car just becomes a utility to get us from one place to another… we have become fine changing from a audi or lexus or infiniti to a hyundai chevy or toyota….. a car was once a symbol and now its just a utility to get us to where we want to go...

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

Yes and no: My parents are immigrants from Mexico. My mother never had a formal job (she never worked. She was a housewife). I have 4 brothers and 5 sisters. My dad was VERY frugal and never bought anything on credit to include houses both in Mexico and in the US. We never lived off government help either. My dad worked his behind off to give us everything he could. Some of us finished college. So we lived on very little. Some basic necessities were considered luxury for my dad so we did without. A pair of hand me down shoes, hand me down clothing and lots of used clothes and appliances around the house. We shared beds, bicycles, everything was community property. Don’t take me wrong, best days of my life but we had very little as my dad was always saving for his business, to buy a house, etc. So that impacted all of my siblings in different ways: some continued my dad’s frugality and some of us are spenders. I can make a case for both lifestyles. When I buy or acquire something I don’t do it to keep up with the Jones. I just want to experience it. My wife and I fly business to Europe every summer, we stay in nice places, eat in all kinds of food joints, cheap and or expensive: we want to experience things and some of those things are material and cost a lot of money. We do ok with savings, we don’t have debt besides our mortgage and don’t have car payments but have had these in the past. We don’t have children so it’s just us, by us and for us. And I’m at peace with not having a bigger house or millions in our 401k’s Good video, as always.

[@MILGEO]

My parents grew up in the depression, so I would have to say we also grew up frugal. We never did without, and every Friday my mother would come home with a full car of groceries that we would help bring in along with pizza's for dinner! I have the feeling that they didn't have as much food as they would have liked growing up with 6 siblings. And she took us to the dentist religiously. I don't think her parents could afford that and she had dentures as a result. I try to spend wisely though my daughters always got more than they needed at Christmas!

[@bradfairchild8197]

Absolutely love this video. Sharing little bits about life story is appreciated.

[@lailaatallah1857]

What a beautiful video. Thank you for generously sharing some of your own personal life experience. Your childhood story at the end is amazing. I like your distinction between cheap & frugal. And also your emphasis on releasing any need to keep up with the Jones’s. Like you, I enjoy spending on things that are important to me like travel, adventures and sharing with others. Whenever I save on something by shopping for deals, travel hacking with credit cards, or not spending - in my mind, it directly increases our savings balance for our next fabulous trip, etc. So, saving is directly linked to energy and excitement in my mind.

[@margiesoapyhairbillian4754]

I am watching a bunch of your videos all in one day!❤❤❤❤ IT is a JOY that I found you on KZbin 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉.

[@YasutakaHirasawa]

I never paid more than 8k dollars for cars, except a family mini van we purchased in 2007 for$ 22k. My current car is a gift from my friend a year ago which he was about junked but I got for free and fixed it. I am 60 years old. With 5 most adult kids. Thinking about retiring in a year. My net worth a bit over 2 millions.

[@mariloulansang542]

I hope you’re more than ok Azul… Your eyes…☹️Sending you & the family love and positive vibes.

[@smartmom7758]

Thank you for your videos.. i am 38..and its great to hear to your videos..

[@RandomJane104]

I'm sorry your parents were robbed. My parents were also robbed once but they just took the guns and jewelry. It reminds me of a story in my own life though. When I moved into my condo I bought one of those stacked (single unit) washer/dryers. It was the only option at the time because of how my laundry hookups are situated. After only 5 years the dryer had a catastrophic failure and couldn't be repaired due to planned obsolescence. I refused to buy a new machine out of spite and frugality. Since the washer part still worked, we washed in it and hung our clothes to dry for 3 years until I decided it had been long enough to replace it. I refused to play their consumerist game.

[@southbound1969]

Just because the "Jones's" can make the payment on whatever it is does not mean that they can AFFORD it.

[@cozmicsoull]

Right! Making payments on trinkets while not investing is not affordable.

[@ctv8100]

I don't think I'm a frugal person but I'm a hater of clutter so I only buy the things I really need. Lol. Saves money and room

[@karenjensen2345]

We are frugal with paying cash for everything and eating out only on special occasions and while traveling. We choose to spend our $$$ on travel.

[@daveb790]

Also from Ohio, My parents used a picnic table for years before buying a secondhand dining table. Good Times. I sure enjoyed the memories your video triggered.

[@tonyherdina9142]

I'm from Akron as well. My grandparents were immigrants and my parents grew up during the depression. Akron sure has changed since we were kids.

[@ymamahp5562]

Great video! I like Cleveland. We lived in Avon Lake.

[@janemuir3546]

According to your 20x annual spending we are at well over 1.5 times what we need.

[@janemuir3546]

I grew up in NE Ohio, in a frugal home. I'm thankful for those roots and my parents frugal example.

[@jaehwan123]

Thank you so much for sharing, Azul. I enjoy your stories and simple explanations of financial matters.

[@joethecomputerguy1]

Why? So I could retire as early as possible. That turned out to be 52. Heck I was making 6 figures back in the 90's and I always put away the maximum in tax deferred accounts. How can people not save money if making that much?????

[@4mmorrisfamily]

Great Cleveland story!

[@pablohernandez6229]

So true Azul you can have anything, but do you really need everything? 😊

[@joannerandolph5533]

Where did you grow up outside of Cleveland? I work in Westlake and live in Massillon. Small world.

[@Northern_Squirrel]

Great video Azul, America runs on consumer spend, not Dunkin, lol. Unfortunately, many people want to buy things they want NOW, not willing to wait until cash is saved up.

[@vivianlee2456]

Thanks for sharing your life ❤

[@kwokweng76]

Great video asul

[@sonnydacuse7622]

Lived frugality in Mentor, Ohio 😊

[@dimitrismolevski9696]

Speaking of being frugal, the rocking chair Mr. Azul is sitting on in the video I bought from Aldi for $20 whereas elsewhere it sold for $40 😂

[@jaygohel1657]

My parents were definitely frugal. I can tell you that one of the greatest indirect benefits of growing up in a frugal home is even now as an adult there is a heightened appreciation for little things , a good conversation, a good meal ,glass of wine, hanging out with family/ friends.

[@Noah4evaa]

Why not?😊

[@KevinDJones-rv8ye]

Come on Azul. I am a Jones 😂. Love your content

[@darrellq6954]

Azul, Will you promise me you will eat a Medium Rare Ribeye Steak when you hit 100k subscribers.....? 🥩

[@AzulWells]

Ooooh. That is a tough one. Candidly, I do not miss meat. As a vegan, what do I miss? Dairy. Specifically cheese. There are NO GOOD VEGAN CHEESES. Thanks for tempting me Darrell ... going to have to do better than a juicy steak though 🐮Azul

[@cappyroo]

@@AzulWells with your family history as described by you in this video, veganism is probably a great choice. I should do the same.

[@larasutton1483]

Did you mean Home Alone or A Christmas Story?

[@AzulWells]

I thought it was the original Home Alone. "You are going to shoot your eye out with that BB gun" movie, yes? 🤠Azul

[@larasutton1483]

@@AzulWells that is a Christmas Story. Home Alone is the burglars breaking into the kids house.

[@neeferpd]

I'm glad someone asked this and that it was clarified. That's exactly what I was thinking.

[@larasutton1483]

@@neeferpd I’m new to this whole personal finance stuff but I know my Christmas movies!

[@greensombrero3641]

I keep up with the Jones's in a Bukowski sort of manner...

[@dugfriendly]

This everything. At 58, my $65k/yr is the most I’ve ever made. But I pay myself $775/paycheck (2 weeks) to live on and it’s plenty for a single dude.

[@mjuberian]

So your parents were too "frugal" to buy homeowners insurance? Just wondering.

[@mamajudesays6912]

Sitting still is a refreshing change. 💨

[@notanomad9320]

I love going on graigslist and see what's free stuff people are giving away. I only take what I need so I don't end up with a lot of junk lying around. Love getting something that's not working like my snowblower and getting it to work. I've used it for 5 years now.