Meet Christine Lan, a 40-year-old mom with two kids who took extreme measures to save some cash, like taking her hair cutting into her own hands and even ditching the toilet paper altogether.
All her sacrifices have paid off—Christine and her husband are mortgage-free and just returned from a dreamy family vacation in the Caribbean.
In 2018, they sold their first condo in favor of a spacious four-bedroom home in Montreal, Canada. They secured a 25-year mortgage of $150,000, which they astonishingly cleared in just seven years.
“We’re living our best life,” Christine beams. “We feel so lucky.”
Originally hailing from Mauritius, Christine’s family moved to Montreal in the ‘70s, where her parents had to stretch every dollar. “They came from a tiny island with bare resources,” she recalls.
Her parents relied on creative tricks like using citrus peels for natural air fresheners and soaking green onions in water to encourage regrowth.
Her mom was all about maximizing every cent, even going so far as to cut open toothpaste tubes to get every last drop!
Christine followed in her parents’ footsteps, eventually pursuing a career in acting while adopting their frugal lifestyle. “I started making my own skincare,” she shares. “I’d use kitchen oils and buy shampoo bars for about $10.”
“Cutting my own hair seemed like a no-brainer— salon visits were getting pricey,” she continues. “What began with beauty care slowly expanded into other areas of my life.”
These life changes included opting for menstrual cups over disposable alternatives, thrifting for clothes, using public transit instead of driving, and enjoying picnics rather than dining out.
Once married, Christine and her husband bought a flat together, eventually moving into their four-bedroom townhouse, which they purchased for $217,000.
Determined to be free from mortgage pressures, the couple adhered to a strict budget, which facilitated their ability to pay off their debt swiftly at roughly $1,786 per month.
Cooking at home, charity shopping, and even ditching toilet paper for a bidet helped Christine save more.
“I’m all for investing upfront if it saves us in the long run,” she notes.
Regularly reviewing monthly expenditures also became essential for them. “If you’re paying for Netflix, can you skip it? Could you substitute with a cheaper service?”
“We even tackle a lot of our DIY projects ourselves,” Christine explains.
These changes allowed Christine to pay off her mortgage sooner, funding memorable trips for her kids, now aged 15 and 17, to places like Mexico, Cuba, and yes, the Caribbean!
“When we first got married, cash was sparse, so we didn’t travel much together,” she confides. “Last year marked the first time our kids flew on a plane!”
While still pretending to be frugal, there’s a little more room in their budget now. “We’ve started traveling more and invest in electronics because they’re worthwhile,” Christine says.
“Our home is a priority too; we spend on security features and strategic lighting,” she emphasizes. “A purse isn’t piece; a comfortable home means everything.”
Christine, who creates content online, stresses that her frugal habits arise not from financial strife but a quest for happiness.
“Frugality is about thankfulness,” she states. “Many believe they need the latest trend or gadget to be content. Just appreciating what you have can yield so much fulfillment and joy in life.”
