True Frugality

Frugality isn't about being afraid to spend money; it's about not wasting it. Don't buy what you don't need, but when you do need something, buy the good stuff—and then use it for a long time. A single cent wasted is too much; money well spent is worth every penny.

Take phones, for example. A 2,000-yuan Android might last two or three years, while a 6,000-yuan iPhone lasts six to eight. Both average out to about 1,000 yuan a year. But the iPhone offers a far better experience, and it saves you the hassle of upgrading twice—no transferring data, no learning a new system. Looked at this way, the 6,000-yuan iPhone is actually cheaper than the 2,000-yuan Android. The same goes for shoes. A 500-yuan pair of Adidas which is ncredibly comfortable that lasts ten years is a better deal than a 100-yuan pair that falls apart in two.

Besides, cheap goods mean poor quality and higher risk: a cheap phone might die within a year, and cheap shoes might be worn out in six months. They look like bargains, but they end up costing more. There's a saying on Pinduoduo: when you buy something cheap, the only moment you're happy is the moment you buy it.

So if you need something, buy a quality version and use it until it can't be used anymore. That is true frugality.