By Ma Udaysree & Yogi LB

I decided to live a minimal lifestyle as a yogi and explore how much I could save every month. I haven’t always been this way, and it’s taken years of simplifying and cutting back on little things, one at a time. And while there are definitely many more things I can scrimp and save on, I’m proud of how far I’ve come already. Here’s how I save money:

1) I cut my own hair. I bought a $20 buzzer, and it lasts about a year. I used to get a haircut every month, at a cost of $20 (including tip, not including gas money to get there and valuable time spent there). So I save the cost of about 11 haircuts a year. I do the same for my three sons, saving another 36 haircuts (at $10 each). Annual savings: $580.

2) No Cable TV. We watch DVDs, or read. I don’t spend much on DVDs either (probably less than most people, per month). Cable costs about $65/month. Annual savings: $780.

3) Became vegan. I eat a lot of fresh organic fruits and veggies, which are expensive, sure, but they are healthier than any non veg food items. The real comparison is between the protein sources I use. Most of my protein comes from tofu, although I do eat beans and soy protein such as soy burgers. Overall I believe I save about $2-3 per day being vegan. Annual savings: $900.

4) Don’t use the gym. I used to be a member of a gym. Didn’t use it much, and still got charged for a full year. Now I get a lot of exercise at home. Besides yoga, I do strength exercises in my living room and jog. Annual savings: $420.

5) Rarely go to the movies. I used to go out to the movies at least once a week, and sometimes more. I slowly made it every other week, and now I don’t even go once a month. Now we take the kids to the park or out to do something more fun and creative. I figure this saves me at least $15 per week, although it’s probably more when you factor in the cost of my kids’ tickets, and concessions. Annual savings: $780.

6) Quit smoking. I quit over a year ago. I smoked a pack a day, plus a soda or tea or coffee to go with the cigarettes, at a cost of about $5 per day. Annual savings: $1,825.

7) Don’t drink much. I never did, really, except maybe in college. But for some people, drinking is a major expense. A beer or two a day can add up, and for the sake of these calculations, I’ll count it. Annual savings: $800.

8) Never go out. I don’t go to clubs, or the theater, or ballet, or opera. I guess I’m just not that type of person. Playing with the kids, reading a good book, or having a meaningful conversation with my wife or friends via Zoom is sufficient. Annual savings: maybe $500.

9) Stay healthy. As mentioned above, I’m a vegan, a yogi, and a runner, and I don’t drink or smoke anymore. I never go to the doctor, and if I keep up this lifestyle, my likelihood of getting the most common diseases are greatly lowered. Annual savings: probably $1,200.

10) Don’t go shopping. We used to hang out at the mall a lot. It was convenient, and had a lot of great stuff to look at, and a food court. The food court alone costs $30 for us, and if we bought stuff that would be another $25-75. Cha-ching. Now I rarely ever go to the mall. I hate it anyway. I only go to the mall or Kmart if I need something, and even then I try my best to avoid it. Annual savings: probably $2,600.

11) Have only one car. We are a married couple with six kids, soccer practice, choir, school functions, many many family gatherings, running events, martial arts, and much more. But we get by on one car. We are looking to get a used van with better fuel economy, and I am going to start commuting at least a few times a week by bike. Annual savings: unknown, but perhaps $5,000.

12) Bring my own lunch. My co-workers used to eat out every day before Corona, at a cost of $8-20 per lunch. I bring a sandwich and fruits or a salad. At a cost of probably less than $5. Annual savings: $1,800.

13) No magazine or newspaper subscriptions. I used to have the paper delivered. Now I read it online or at work. I used to subscribe to 1-2 magazines. Now I read the Internet. Annual savings: $360.

14) Rarely buy new clothes. I use my clothes and shoes until they are threadbare. Really. Ask my wife and kids. And when it comes to yoga attire, truly, its a gimmick. Have you seen how some ladies in India practice yoga in a sari? I think just a simple pair of jogging pants or leggings are sufficient. Going back to the Indian ladies, they don’t even use a yoga mat but a simple straw mat. Annual savings: maybe $400.

15) Never travel. I would like to travel. When I am out of debt and my savings accounts are nice and healthy, I will travel. But for now, I skip it. Others I know take at least a trip per year (before Corona). Annual savings: $1,500.

16) No more lattes. I used to get a latte every day. At a cost of about $4 per latte. Sometimes I’d get two. Now I make my own coffee. Annual savings: about $1,000.

There are more little ways that I’ve learned to save, like getting my books at a used book store, cooking most of my meals, and power-saving measures.

Estimated total savings: $20,445.

Now, I’m not sure if most people spend the full amounts listed above, or if I ever did. But at some point, I did come close, and I think many people do as well. But however you look at it, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Does this all go into savings? Of course not. Other expenses have gone up, because I now have six kids, and our income has temporarily gone down. Also, we’re now putting money into debt, and once that is freed up, more will go into savings.

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Congratulations to Yogi LB! That is awesome! It really depends on the focus one has, what one considers necessary in life, and what luxuries there are. Years ago I also quite many of the items on the list. Additionally, I have no TV and don’t own a car. During pandemic I started cutting my own hair too and cook at home every day. Many things mentioned above I don’t need anymore in my life. Yogic living has become second nature for me. I don’t even consider it frugal living, never have, it simply is my yogic lifestyle, aparigraha, living with minimal things. My interests have shifted over the years and my life now focuses on more important things than spending money for things I don’t need. Aparigraha teaches us to let go, to be non-attached to material things or even our negative way of thinking. What can I say, there is so much freedom in it 🙂

Hope this article inspires you to review your spending habits. If you have any savings and yogic living tips, please share them in the comments below.

Chat with Ma Udaysree to explore your spending habits for a more Yogic lifestyle.