Note, This is the First Expense Cut when Starting to Save

Anthropologist from the University of Indonesia Prof. Dr. Semiarto Aji Purwanto. (Dok. arc.ui.ac.id)

JAKARTA - Indonesian anthropologist Prof. Dr. Semiarto Aji Purwanto assessed that a consumer lifestyle such as hanging out in expensive places to impulsive shopping is the type of expenditure that is most likely to be reduced when someone wants to live a frugal or frugal lifestyle.

"If we want to live a simple life, frugal living, yes, of course, the lifestyle whose idea is the consumption of tier-three goods," said Semiarto when contacted by Antara on Friday.

According to the Professor of Anthropology at the University of Indonesia, spending related to tertiary needs is one of the easiest parts to suppress in daily consumption patterns.

He gave an example of the habit of hanging out in malls, buying premium coffee, to eating in expensive places as expenses that can be adjusted to each person's ability.

He said a frugal lifestyle did not mean that one could not enjoy entertainment or certain consumption, but rather the ability to rationally manage spending priorities.

"Coffee now ranges from Rp. 5,000 to above Rp. 100,000. The choice is that. Life is adjusted," he said.

Apart from lifestyle spending, Semiarto also highlighted the habit of impulsive consumption or impulsive consumption driven by emotional factors and social media trends.

"There are discounts, bargains. There are flash sales, let's go after it. Or just FOMO (fear of missing out), si A, si B, si C have bought it, why don't we," he said.

He said the habit of buying goods because of the impulse of trends and social status often makes consumption non-essential.

According to him, fanaticism towards certain brands and the habit of replacing gadgets too quickly are also expenses that can be reduced.

"The phone can last three to four years, but because there is a new model every six months, we don't have to keep changing it," said Semiarto.

However, he assessed that there were a number of needs that should not be over-pressured, such as health, education, and the need for mobility and internet access.

"What is difficult to reduce is health and education. Usually it is a priority," he said.

Semiarto added that a frugal lifestyle is not merely about reducing expenses, but consuming things more wisely and according to needs.