Meet a Reader | Sophie from Denmark
Hello everyone! Today we're getting to meet Sophie from Denmark, a familiar name in the comments section here. Yay!
1. Tell us a little about yourself
I am in my thirties, originally from the UK and I currently live in Denmark 🙂
2. How long have you been reading The Frugal Girl?
It must be around six or seven years as it was when I was still living in Britain and working at my old job.
3. How did you get interested in saving money?
My parents always encouraged my sister and I to save money when we were children. I don’t love saving money when I ‘have’ to but I like the gamification of it and saving money here and there. I also needed to save a lot of money when I moved overseas!
4. What's the "why" behind your money-saving efforts?
I like being able to reject a level of consumerism in capitalist society. I don’t think individual frugality can improve that on a general level, but I like rejecting the concept that I constantly have to buy things and add to landfills.
I also like the fact that I can cook and bake good food at home (although I don’t always feel like it!) I try to save in areas which I am less interested in so I can spend on things I do care about!
5. What's your best frugal win?
I can’t think of a particular example but I got some great clothes from a charity shop a few times (it was in a fancy area so I got some bargains!) I don’t know if this counts, but I moved to Denmark and got my master’s for free the year before Brexit (I would have had to pay after that).
I also taught myself how to cook a much wider range of recipes (using some from the Frugal Girl blog!)
6. What's an embarrassing money mistake you've made?
Again, I can’t think of a single example, but I definitely wasted a lot of money in my twenties on clothes I didn’t need or wear much, and paid full-price on tickets when I could have saved money by booking ahead.
7. What's one thing you splurge on?
Experiences.
I love travelling and exploring new places. I know some people say no to any kind of social event to save money but that would be miserable for me; I would prefer to see friends or travel and take longer to save money. I always pay to go to museums or events which look interesting.
When I went to New York I went up the Empire State Building, despite it being hideously expensive, as I knew the experience would be worth it.
I also went to see a play on Broadway and paid to visit other museums in the city (although I did take the Staten Island ferry because it was free and you get a great view of the Statue of Liberty).
When I was in Paris I went up the Eiffel Tower and to the Louvre. I am lucky to live in Europe where I can take a day trip to another country if I want to - last year I went to Hamburg for a weekend and took the train!
I also like trying out local cafés and restaurants when I travel (but if I am away for more than a few days I get dinner from a supermarket some nights). On a general level, I sometimes get takeout and I go to the cinema occasionally instead of waiting for every film to be on streaming.
I have a gym membership because I can currently afford it, and see it as an investment in health. I also try to buy organic food and, in general, I try to buy things which are well-made and will last longer rather than the cheapest thing possible.
Cheaper goods tend to break sooner and were probably made in poor working conditions. I try to support independent businesses if I can.
8. What's one thing you aren't remotely tempted to splurge on?
Makeup, jewellery, handbags - basically anything designer. I also have no desire to go to Disneyland, other theme parks or Las Vegas.
9. If $1000 was dropped into your lap today, what would you do with it?
I would put half in savings and use the other half to take a trip.
10. What's the easiest/hardest part of being frugal?
The easiest part is automatically looking for things such as sales in supermarkets, buying snacks in boxes rather than individually and knowing how to throw together a meal fairly cheaply. I am also not interested in spending money on things like designer goods.
I have always been a big reader and love using the library. I usually only read books once so I am happy to borrow a book rather than buy it! I borrow films from there as well (either on DVD or via their streaming platform). I am fortunate to have two excellent libraries nearby.
The hardest part is ‘having’ to be frugal in a situation where I don’t want to; I am very fortunate that this is even a choice to begin with, but I dislike missing out on something fun or not buying takeout because I’m trying to be frugal.
11. Is there anything unique about frugal living in your area?
Denmark has something fantastic called Culture Night every October where you can buy a ticket for a reasonable price and use it to enter any museum, art gallery or cultural site (including places which are usually closed).
Denmark generally is very expensive but the taxes pay for things such as well-cared-for outdoor spaces and classes, so I enjoy going out to parks, beaches, and signing up for free classes sometimes (I went to Zumba and salsa classes and last year I refreshed my cycling skills which were close to nil!)
Almost everyone cycles here but I am not brave enough to go on the busy cycle lanes!
12. What frugal tips have you tried and abandoned?
Going from supermarket to supermarket to find the best deal.
It was just taking far too much time and energy and I decided I would prefer to spend a little more money and save time (I was lucky to be able to make that trade!)
I also abandoned making every kind of food from scratch; I do try to buy organic food and cook a lot of meals but sometimes I buy things premade or get takeout.
13. What's your funniest frugal story?
It wasn’t funny at the time but I tried making hummus once which was basically chickpea soup. I just bought hummus from the shop after that!
14. What is something you wish more people knew?
Individual frugality relies on group efforts. Free spaces such as libraries, parks and (some) museums depend on taxes and community effort to keep them free for everyone to enjoy. We need to work together.
15. Did you ever receive any financial education in school or from your parents?
My parents always took my sister and me to libraries, museums and for walks in nature which were free (apart from the cost of fuel in the car!) They also always prepared lunches at home (I think I ended up rebelling against this as an adult because it’s something I have to push myself to do!) and shopped in second-hand stores and charity shops at times.
We only got takeout if we were away and we didn’t go to the cinema very frequently. We did go on vacation every summer which wasn’t as fancy as other families’ trips, but I never minded. We would drive a few hours to a place near the beach and spend days there or go for walks in the countryside.
My parents also always bought us new shoes, which taught me that some things are worth paying full-price for (ie, your health, as good shoes are important). My sister and I also went to ballet, Brownies, and music lessons at various points, which taught me that you should save money for fun things in life as well.
I didn’t receive a lot of financial education at school apart from a Business class one year which I remember very little of!
16. Do you have any tips for frugal travel or vacations?
This is in my wheelhouse!
Borrow a tourist guide on the area you are visiting from the library - most of the information will still be relevant and you can check online for the rest.
Book your plane or train ticket online ahead of time, as time-specific tickets or certain dates will often be cheaper.
Check to see if there are free days at museums, if that’s something you’re interested in - museums will often have a free day once a week or once a month, or, if not, there is often at least one museum with free entrance in a city.
For instance, when I went to Hamburg the art gallery there was half-price in the hour before closing. When I went to New York, the Morgan library was free on Fridays. Also, check if places are open every day; I’ve been caught out by museums being closed on Mondays or Fridays, for example, or closing early (on the flipside, some places have late closings on some days).
Check online if there are events scheduled in the place you’re visiting and if you can save money by buying a ticket ahead of time, if it isn’t free. Some places have city passes which include museums and public transport, or at least some of those things. The pass might seem expensive but it will often save money overall, depending on how many places you want to visit. There are usually different levels of city passes (ie, a basic pass which is cheaper, and then an intermediate pass and so on).
In general I advise checking out public transport if you are visiting a city as it will likely save you a lot of time and money (the metro in Paris is great!) Of course, walking around will save you money as well!
Bring toiletries with you because some places don’t supply them. Check reviews of where you’re staying; somewhere might be cheap but there could be a reason for that! I would also advise checking where you’re staying in relation to the places you want to go; it’s going to be frustrating staying somewhere miles away from everywhere else (unless it’s close to public transport).
Make a document with all the things you want to do and see which includes a map (can you tell I love planning trips?!)
Bring a portable charger and bring cash in case there is a problem with your card or your phone. Some places will only take cash (for example, Germany is a very cash-centred country and when I went to Hamburg they often didn’t take card payments).
Pack snacks and drinks with you for the journey because they will inevitably be more expensive en route and/or you might not be able to purchase them when you’re hungry or thirsty. Bring snacks and a reusable water bottle with you; most hotels and cafés are happy to fill them up for you (assuming you also buy something, of course!) and some cities have drinking fountains.
Shop for food before you go away - freeze things like milk and bread and then store the rest for when you return. I always treat myself to meals out when I go away but I love coming home to fresh food!
This isn’t frugal as such, but if you can, come home two days before you go back to work or school so you have a day to rest!
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Sophie, I know this is a minor part of your post but I LOVE your salt and pepper shakers. What a good use of money. 😉
I am curious: was the masters program the main reason you moved to Denmark? Do you miss the UK? Do you think you will ever go back?
I'm also realizing that I don't know what field you work in. I'd love to know, if you are comfy sharing.
Also: I totally agree about packing snacks. I do that all the time when I am traveling.
Hi Kristen! I moved to Denmark to do the master's and then got a job so I stayed 🙂 I won't get too specific about my job but I studied Information Science. I do miss the UK and I might move back at some point, in which case I'd have to change my moniker 😉 Either way, it's a short flight to and from Denmark which is nice!
@Sophie in Denmark,
i really enjoyed this article
Hi, Sophie!
"Individual frugality relies on group efforts." I don't think I remember us discussing this before, but you're right! I automatically thought about my family; we work together to do thing less expensively-- cook, garden, maintenance. Some communities do this more vibrantly than others; some Buy Nothing groups are very active, others not. Your words have me wondering how I can enhance local group efforts. Thank you.
@Jody S., Thank you! I'm so glad it was helpful 🙂
@Jody S., I agree that this was good observation about individual frugality often relying on group efforts.
I often think this about free activities that we all enjoy, such as public parks, libraries, beaches, and so on. They make wonderful things accessible to people who wouldn't otherwise have the means to access them. This thought often occurs to me when I enjoy water access; I do not have enough money to afford a waterfront home, but thanks to public parks and public beach access, I do get to enjoy water!
@Jody S., I loved this call out as well. Some people are very sensitive about their tax bill, and I can understand why. But I'm grateful for the many services my tax dollars support and don't begrudge paying them!
Hi Sophie! I have to run out the door, so nothing profound here - but, I enjoyed the beautiful architectural tour; such lovely buildings! And also, your pasta bake has my mouth watering and now I know what I want to eat today (Danish lunch also)...
@Suz, Thank you! I forgot to say before, but behind the salt and pepper shakers I can see a frugal fail - I bought a giant jigsaw puzzle of the TV series Friends and have never finished it lol!
Great to "meet" you, Sophie! Beautiful photos, and your travel tips are spot on. Glad you're part of the community here- as someone else had said last week, I always enjoy reading your comments!
@PD, Thank you!
@PD, That was me! But everyone loves hearing from Sophie.
@JDinNM, Aw, thanks!
Sophie,
When traveling in Europe, do you prefer train travel or using a discount airline like RyanAir?
@Bee, It depends on how long it takes to go by train. I went to Germany by train because it was a short journey, relatively speaking, but I flew to Paris because it would have been a day's travel on the train. I use a budget airline for most flights within Europe.
@Sophie in Denmark, I forgot to add that I keep intending to do an interrailing trip around Europe. One day!
@Sophie in Denmark,
That is a dream of mine! Hoping to do it some time after I retire!
@Sophie in Denmark, My first trip to Germany (at that time East and West Germany) involved hitchhiking across East Germany to Berlin (which at that time was in both East Germany and West Germany) and then going through Checkpoint Charlie to get to West Berlin. The East German guard confiscated my Time Magazine before letting me pass through. I do believe he kept it for himself and his friends and family, just to see what was happening on "the other side" of the Wall. We then stayed at a youth hostel that turned out to be an old bomb shelter. Good times! My next trip was via a private corporate plane with a pharmaceutical client who had legislative business at the Bundestag. Much different travel arrangements! No hitchhiking necessary! But there was still an East and West Germany. I will always remember Leonard Bernstein conducting Beethoven's 9th and the Germans singing Ode to Joy after the Berlin Wall came down.
@JDinNM, Oh wow! What a memory! I was very young when the Wall came down.
@JDinNM, I was in West Berlin, East Germany, Poland, and Hungary in July and August of 1989. That was after Hungary took down the barbed wire but before the Wall came down. It’s not often that you know that history is changing right before your eyes.
Hello Sophie! I love taking road trips because I love to pack the snack bag. We seldom buy snacks when traveling. We are happy to eat out a few times per trip tho!
@Stephanie, All hail the snack bag!
Good to meet you, Sophie. I always enjoy reading the Meet a Reader submissions from folks like you who are both serious travelers and good photographers; I'm neither one! (And judging from your descriptions of climbing that tower in Denmark and going up the Empire State Building, you must have a head for heights, which I also don't have. JASNA BFF's 12th-floor apartment is as high up as I go these days.)
@A. Marie, I don't have as good a head for heights as some but I'm okay if I feel safe (I don't know if I'd be brave enough for rock climbing!) I nearly didn't go up that tower but decided that if I got too nervous I could just go back down. The same with climbing the Sacré-Cœur dome in Paris!
@A. Marie, I thought you might appreciate her visit to the Morgan Library when she was in NYC.
@JDinNM, yes, and I thank Sophie for the tip about the Morgan's being free on Fridays. (I checked this out on the Morgan's website, and it's on Fridays from 5 to 8 pm, with reservations required and tickets available a week in advance. I'll pass this tip on to fellow JASNA members who may be planning to visit the Jane Austen exhibition.)
@A. Marie, Thanks for checking and adding the extra info!
Hi, Sophie! Godmorgen! At least here it's morning. ;-}
I, too, greatly appreciate your #14, especially the acknowledgment (certainly more common in Western Europe than here in the U.S.) that a community willing to pay taxes gets free spaces and libraries and parks and museums and so much more in return that everyone can enjoy. (I can hear the shouts of "socialism!" as I click on the comment button....)
@JDinNM, Haha, well, I largely lean towards socialist (and have had many arguments with people conflating it with communism!) Thanks for the comment!
@JDinNM, I agree with you and Sophie and others on this! When we come together as a community - we can do good things that we can ALL enjoy!
Hi Sophie, it's nice to meet you! I love the way you balance frugality with some reasonable splurges. My husband and I are the same. We enjoy dining out occasionally, but we balance that by cooking quite a bit at home and I always bring my own breakfast/lunch to work. We also bring containers to restaurants and take quite a bit of our meal home as most places serve big portions, enough for at least another meal.
I wanted to add to your travel tips that most public libraries are free to visit in the US, (I assume it's the same overseas?...) Some have regular exhibitions and in some the even the buildings alone are worth viewing. I love the Morgan Library, although it is really a museum and not a public library, but worth seeing. You may already know this, but there was a book published in 2021 about the woman who helped J.P. Morgan build his collection called "The Personal Librarian", by Heather Terrell and Victoria Christopher Murray. It's a fantastic book!
Cheers!
@AnnieH, Yes, definitely true about the public libraries! Thanks for the recommendation of that book, I didn't know about it and will definitely check it out!
@AnnieH,
Boston's public library (the main branch) is also more museum-like - incredible architecture, paintings by John Singer Sargent, beautiful decorative details and a gorgeous fountain and courtyard. We were blown away when we vacationed there last year.
@Liz B.,
The JSS paintings are permanent wall paintings.
@AnnieH, highly recommend the book!
@AnnieH, i read and enjoyed “The Personal Librarian “, a work of historical fiction. I then read more articles about that librarian which showed her in a different light. I wonder which was closer to the reality. Regardless, I would love to visit the Morgan Library now.
@Jean C, I hazard that the non-fiction is closer to reality than the fiction.
@AnnieH, I've read that book too and it gave some interesting food for thought about the concept of personal identity and the art of detecting fakes (meta theme).
@Jean C, The Morgan Library recently had an exhibition on Belle da Costa Greene. https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/belle-da-costa-greene
@Liz B., Oh! My husband and I would love to see that. We are both huge fans of Sargent's work. We'll have to plan a trip to Boston. Thanks for the tip!
Sophie, this is so delightful. Love the architecture and scenery pics. Thanks for the glimpse into your interesting life!
@MB in MN, Thank YOU! 🙂
I am in love with the salt and pepper shakers.
Thanks for posting and thanks for the lovely pictures! I really enjoyed them. I like that you know where you want to spend and plan accordingly. That's a good way to "Do" frugality. Would I take off alone to live in another country (that uses another language)? I don't know, but kudos to you for doing so!
@JD, I love them so much that I keep them out as a decoration! Moving was a big decision but I knew I could move back if it didn't work out. I am very fortunate 🙂
Lovely to meet you Sophie. I've been hoping you'd do a Meet the Reader. Now I know how you ended up in Denmark.
I'm a bit envious of people whose parents taught or showed them money management. Something I'm always curious about is how people who weren't taught about money in their childhoods, learned about afterwards.
@WilliamB, Thank you! I remember receiving birthday money and being allowed to pick out one thing with it, and agonising over which Barbie to choose haha. That was not a fun morning for my father who took me to the store!
I enjoyed reading your interview - you made so many good points! Especially about individual frugality depending on the cooperation of others (LOVE libraries!) Also kudos to you for embracing the fact that being frugal is not an “all or nothing” adventure. Thanks for the peek into your life.
@LDA, Thank you! There's a line from a book which I love and has always stuck with me: 'Rise to the occasion which is life!' I like to spend money on experiences and wearing more fancy things than I 'need' to sometimes 🙂
Sophie, thanks for sharing your travel photos and pictures of Denmark with us. I felt like I was taking a mini-vacation. How adventurous you are! And I agree with Kristen: the kitty-cat salt and pepper shakers are adorable.
Thanks for all the travel tips. I never would've thought of borrowing the travel guide from the library -- I'd always purchase one. (Dumb me! But I'd use it multiple times.) When I vacationed a lot, including being a courier, I would also come home a couple of days early to rest before going back to work. And I would pretty much empty my suitcase into the washing machine (after taking out the toiletries, shoes and other non-washables).
I still have my small bottles of toiletries, which I refill before taking any trips -- much cheaper than buying a new mini-container of whatever. But I haven't gone out of town in a couple of years, and then it was only to (1) attend teacher training and later to (2) have surgery. I think I still have my bag of toiletries, left over from the latter trip, somewhere in my bathroom closet.
Most vacations, I drive a car, either my own or a rental, pretty much a necessity in the U.S. But in England, I rode the London Underground (subway trains) as my main transportation and it was amazing. (And safe!) I've never lived in a place where I could use public transportation. Or where it was cool enough to walk or ride a bicycle (to work or other places) without being drenched in sweat.
@Fru-gal Lisa, Not dumb if you use it multiple times! And also not dumb if you prefer buying your own copy anyway 🙂 I am lucky to live somewhere with good public transport. It's less good where I'm from in the UK, but at least it's there! In my teens we went on holiday to Spain and I remember my mother renting a car and navigating the other side of the road! I've had so many embarrassing moments where I go to get in the passenger seat of a car here and of course it's on the other side, and people tease me 'so are you driving today?'
@Sophie in Denmark, regarding getting into the wrong side of the car: it's funny how that happens even after years of living in the new place! I'm from the US but have lived in Japan 2 years. Recently, I was driving my friends around while they were on vacation here, and we were wondering why we were getting stares at a stoplight. Suddenly I realized I was stopped on the wrong side of the road. Whoops! Thankfully we were in a very rural area.
I loved your thoughts on individual frugality being a group effort.
@Lizzy, Thanks!
@Lizzy, That wonderful concept is so true when you think about it, and was another favorite part of your post!
One small detail caught my eye which was your disinterest in going to Las Vegas. I absolutely am not calling that into question 🙂 but I noted it because one of my kids asked at lunch just yesterday whether I'd ever been ("Did you lose all your money, Mom?") — and in fact yes, I've been there a couple times because my best friend and her family (who have rural roots on the U.S. Great Plains) live and work there. The first time I went, I spent the day in her classroom helping teach. The second time, I concede, was timed for the wedding of a mutual friend, but we also went out to Lake Powell and camped on the dunes. The kids were surprised at my response, but like most other destination locations, it's also just a place where people live and work with a little bit of crazy on the side.
@Karen., If I was in the area (for whatever reason that would be, I don't know lol) I would check it out - it's just not on my list of places I especially want to visit. I do like that film Fools Rush In, which is set there!
@Sophie in Denmark, Vegas is a great place to people. And also shake your head as to why the Hades people bring young kids there. You'd likely enjoy the Mob Museum and the Titanic exhibit (which is likely no longer there). We did see a show both times we were there. There is also the option to drive to CA.
There were some decent escape rooms (if you're into that) but the scenery is flat boring, as is most desert. I find the amount of electricity required for Vegas appalling. Personally I think grass should be banned in desert areas - poor babies will have to find elsewhere to golf.
Sophie, I'm glad to know a bit more about you because your comments are always so good. Your parents sound a lot like mine. They scrimped on lots of things but always bought us good shoes. I laugh at myself now whenever I buy secondhand shoes, imagining how my mother would react if she only knew...
@Book Club Elaine, Aw, thanks! I bought some shoes for running which cost more than I preferred, but I figured it was worth protecting my feet! I got a very nice pair of fancy shoes second-hand though!
@Book Club Elaine, I never thought about this before, but my parents were the same. The one thing we could count on getting new was shoes. I still remember going to the store. This might account for why I have no problem wearing used clothing but always buy my shoes new!
Thoroughly enjoyed this! I rarely comment myself but I’m an avid comment reader here and I enjoy reading about a “regular”! I take great comfort from knowing this comment community exists out in our world, contributing to its goodness. I’m so grateful to Kristen for her ongoing willingness to provide this space for mutual support!
@Sue, Thank you, and agreed! Kudos to Kristen!
Thank you for agreeing to be featured, Sophie, and thanks for extending the invitation, Kristen! I loved and agree with many of your points of view. It sounds like you are truly living your life versus letting it pass you by.
This point may be more common in the United States, but we have discovered that if we dine at a restaurant near the top of a landmark building, we get a similar experience as solely paying to go to the top, with a bonus of a meal and an hour or so with the beautiful view. We did this in San Antonio, Chicago, Seattle and I cannot remember where in New York because it's been so long... We try and hit it for a lunch time so the menu is cheaper, and it has really paid off.
Joining the chorus of I love your salt shakers... And your lunch looks scrumptious! Thank you so much for sharing!
@Bonnie, Thank you! I had a glass of prosecco at the top of the Eiffel Tower!
I climbed that tower too! But not the whole way, bc I'm afraid of heights. My husband's mom grew up in Copenhagen, so we still have family/ friends there, and last visited in 2019. Is the white cliffs photo Mons Klint?
@Marcia, Yes, it is! I went there a few years ago.
so nice to meet you. great post. of course, a free education counts as frugal. your photos are stunning. nyc has museum mile but only for one night usually a tuesday and all the museums are free. hubby and i went before we had kids and before i retired. have been retired 11 years and i highly recommend retirement. not sure if they still have museum mile anymore. i'm with you on takeout. when i lived in brooklyn i lived in the chinatown of brooklyn. the food was so reasonable. and sometimes it lasted more than one day as i lived alone with 2 cats. the cats were not chinese food afficionados. luckily my hubby and my 14 yr old son know their way around the kitchen. sometimes they even do the dishes. we don't have a dishwasher or air conditioning. all the best to you. have been to england, ireland and scotland but never to denmark. i'd love to visit denmark someday. my first trip to england was my high school graduation trip. subsequently i have made two college trips to london.
@Anita Isaac, Museum Mile sounds cool!
Hi Sophie! Thank you for participating in Meet a Reader. I love hearing about people's lives when they live overseas. So much of what you said resonated with me, but especially the part about individual frugality relying on group efforts. Yes!!!! That's a wonderful observation.
@Kris, Thank you!
My best tip for frugal travel in Europe: Go to https://www.ricksteves.com and let him teach you how to travel. Two star hotels saved us a lot of money!
@Linda Sand, I've used that website in the past; it's great!
Hi Sophie! I too have been loving your comments, in the blog and here. Also, I adore your photos, which remind me of my own European visits. My parents emigrated to the US and since we had many relatives and friends back home, we spent summer vacations partly there. I loved the ease of travel among the various countries, which we did while visiting. Your images remind me of those times.
When I married, we took our kids to do the same as my parents took us. They are adults now and visit European countries with their families! Three cheers for speaking more than one language!
Your foods look yummy and those salt and peppper shakers are adorable.
@ErikaJS, Thank you! Your vacations sound wonderful and I'm glad that your children have carried on with the tradition!
Thanks, Sophie; I really enjoyed reading about your experience! I'm so with you on using your local library - and also about packing your own snacks for traveling or a day out, and for using public transport. I live outside Washington DC and am fortunate to be only a short train ride away from our wonderful free Smithsonian museums, so I appreciate your researching free museum day visits. Denmark looks lovely - I hope to visit someday!
@Melanie, Thank you! Those museums sound great! This is a little geeky, but I've always had a wish to visit your area because when I was a teen I really enjoyed the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants books which were set there! Haha!
@Sophie in Denmark,
Not geeky at all! The DC area really is beautiful and DC itself is a very leafy, green, walkable city - love your Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants connection to it. I hope you get to visit one day!