The Frugalista Is Coming to Town

Author, blogger and self-proclaimed “Frugalista” Natalie P. McNeal will be in Germantown encouraging others to take a vow of “frugality” in order to eliminate debt. 

McNeal will lead a workshop Thursday, Jan. 26, at ’s headquarters on Wisteria Drive.

Registration for the seminar is closed, having reached its 145-person capacity hours after the credit union sent an email publicizing the event, according to Marc Wilensky, the credit union’s vice president of marketing.

But Germantown Patch caught up with McNeal ahead of the seminar to discuss how she dug herself out of more than $20,000 of debt by living on the ”frugal side of fabulous.”

"That right there is something that drives me to not get in that predicament again because I know what it takes to get out of it," says the Frugalista, who now makes it her business to spread the word on how to live within your means without giving up the lifestyle you desire.

McNeal’s book, “The Frugalista Files,” started out as a blog she pitched as a journalist for The Miami Herald to record her experience of a “no-buy” month in February 2008. Her goal was to avoid spending money on anything other than her bills, gas and necessities so that she could focus on getting herself out of debt. Rather than continuing to indulge herself in her fabulous lifestyle of frequent shopping trips and outings, she cut spending by cooking her own meals, finding fun free activities and discerning between what she wanted and what she needed.  

“If you are ever going to get your act together, now is the time to get your act together,“ she thought as she looked at her own finances. It was after the holidays that the idea of living within your means clicked with her and she decided to stop overspending cold turkey for the New Year. She hopes to inspire others to do the same following the Frugalista plan in 2012. Her number one tip for saving money in the New Year is to try the no-buy month for yourself. Pay bills, pay for food and for gas, but skip the salon appointments, clothing and outings.  

 “After saving $400 in one month … a light bulb went off,” McNeal said. "The no-buy month changed my life." A no-buy month can illuminate the differences between what you want and what you need in order for you to live within your means.

“I enjoyed looking at my accounts and seeing that they weren’t always going down.” McNeal plans to do another no-buy month in February to join her audience in their “vow to frugality” and she says “if you can only do it for week that’s fine.” She more importantly wants others to learn the same lessons she did.

Another major tip she had was to earn extra income.  Working harder at your job for a stronger possibility of a raise, doing freelance work, side jobs and selling some items at a consignment shop are multiple ways to provide you with the extra funds to get yourself out debt faster.

Lastly, she says to invest in yourself.  She explains that investing in yourself means giving yourself an edge in the market place for jobs. Taking continuing education courses and creating a website for yourself to raise your online profile are some of the ideas she mentions.  

"You've got to be frugal but you've got to keep it fabulous," says McNeal. While she stepped out of her routine overspending and her comfort zone, it paid off in her opinion. She has maintained a lifestyle that works while living within her means. 

“My lifestyle now is way better. It’s still frugal but now I have a savings account. There’s a lot less pressure on you and your account … I still go out. I still have fun with my friends but I don’t shop for sport anymore. I buy what I need.”