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.

Readers, the floor is yours!