by Remember that scorching summer day when you cranked up the AC and felt a twinge of guilt looking at your electricity bill? Well, my partner and I decided to take a different approach this year. We’re on a mission to achieve financial independence, and we’ve discovered that a little discomfort can lead to significant savings. Let me share our story.
The Great AC Dilemma
When we moved into our new two-story home, we faced a challenge: no central air conditioning. Our landlord only allowed portable units to protect the window frames. Have you seen the price tags on those things? $300 to $500 each! The thought of spending that much on something we’d have to sell when we move abroad post-retirement made us cringe.
So, we got creative. Instead of two portable AC units, we bought two window fans. Yes, you read that right. Fans. In the middle of a heatwave.
Now, I won’t lie—there were moments when the humidity hit 70% and the temperature soared to 95°F that we questioned our sanity. But you know what? We survived. And our July energy bill? A cool $53. That’s the kind of number that makes you do a happy dance in your slightly sweaty clothes.
Redefining Comfort
Growing up, my parents didn’t have air conditioning, and we managed just fine. Somehow, though, I’d fallen into the trap of thinking I needed arctic-level cooling to be comfortable. Remember those summer nights when you’d curl up under a thick comforter with the AC blasting? Yeah, we’ve all been there.
But here’s a revolutionary idea: in summer, maybe we don’t need comforters. I know, mind-blowing, right? We’ve learned to be comfortable with just a sheet. It’s amazing how quickly your body adapts when you give it a chance.
The Ripple Effect of Small Changes
This “embrace the discomfort” philosophy has spread to other areas of our lives. Four years ago, I cut the cord on my beloved satellite TV. As a fan of Spanish award shows, it was tough to let go. But paying $828 a year to watch a few ceremonies? That didn’t align with our financial goals.
Now, we catch performances online. Turns out, Pitbull sounds just as good on YouTube. It’s a small inconvenience that’s saving us a ton of money in the long run.
The Big Picture
Here’s the kicker: by tolerating these minor discomforts, we’re potentially shaving years off our working lives. Early retirement and financial independence aren’t just pipe dreams for us anymore – they’re becoming tangible goals.
We’ve realized that true happiness doesn’t come from living in a perfectly climate-controlled bubble or having every luxury at our fingertips. It comes from freedom—the freedom to choose how we spend our time and energy.
Your Turn
I’m curious—what small discomforts have you embraced lately? Maybe you’ve started brewing coffee at home instead of hitting the drive-thru. Or perhaps you’re braving public transport instead of taking a taxi. Whatever it is, I bet you’re finding it’s not as bad as you feared, right?
Remember, every little bit of discomfort you tolerate today is an investment in your future freedom. It’s not about depriving yourself; it’s about prioritizing what truly matters to you.
So, the next time you feel a bead of sweat forming or a slight inconvenience creeping in, smile. That discomfort might just be the down payment on your dreams.
Hi Ryan,
Yes, it’s a great rule, no matter what multiples you use.
I used the underwater cellphone comparison to stress the ridiculousness of what’s out there. Thanks for providing ideas for future articles. We’re definitely going to be doing more on travel spending/hacking. I spend $0 on haircuts, how about that???
I noticed you’re a chemistry teacher. As long you don’t ask us to write about chemistry, we should be good! 🙂 Chem was my worst high school subject. Thanks for commenting!
Love this post! This really hits home, especially the Multiply by 25 Rule. I think I read something similar on Mr Money Mustache awhile back which
prompted me to write a post called “Convenience is the Enemy” recently
on my blog. In addition, while it may be a cliche to be reminded of the “starving kids in Africa” to elicit guilt about waste, it’s a gut-wrenchingly real issue. I try to travel to the third world every few years at least in order to be reminded of how much I take for granted – and be inspired to give back.
Hi Elizabeth! The Mx25 Rule is an awesome guideline to figure how much you need. MMM has covered a lot of ground so I’m not surprised that he provides many of us with inspiration. I guess if Convenience is the Enemy than a slight inconvenience is your friend! I’m definitely going to read your post.
Yes! Traveling and seeing poverty with your own eyes gives you a different perspective on things. We tend to visit the Dominican Republic a lot and every time I see a child selling fruits or services and trying to make a living, after school, reminds me of how fortunate we are and as you mentioned, it inspires you to give back. Thanks for dropping in!