Heterosexual privilege and money
Is there heterosexual privilege and does it affect your money? Our Queer money™ This week’s guest agrees and explains how she benefited from it and learned to appreciate the simplicity and beauty of less.
Understand heterosexual privilege and its impact on your world
Liz and Nate Thames spent almost ten years working in companies, making lots of money – and spending it on great clothes, nights out and cars. Although Thames had the resources to pursue this rumspringa of spending, she was still waiting for her luck.
Four years ago, Liz and Nate stepped out of the consumer spiral and redesigned their lives. They moved to frugality and focused on spending only on the things they valued most. By 2016, the couple had achieved financial independence and moved to a homestead in the woods of Vermont. Today Liz shares the inspiration for her upcoming book: Meet the Frugalwoods. She explains the connection between money and happiness and offers her perspective on the privilege, including heterosexual privilege, from which she benefits. Liz talks about the tertiary benefits of a frugal lifestyle and shares how it has strengthened her relationships and given her the clarity to focus on her highest and best purpose.
Hear Liz and Nate’s story:
Topics covered
The impetus for Liz’s book
- Give an example of frugality as a positive force
- Share “Simplicity and Beauty of Less”
How Liz and her husband transitioned to frugality
- Lived in expensive urban corridors and worked corporate jobs
- Deeply unfulfilled, time/money not used wisely
- Made radical changes to live in the woods of Vermont
The relationship between money and happiness
- Linked to the idea of consumerism in our culture
- Money makes life better up to a certain threshold
- Will not derive satisfaction from material goods
Liz’s insights into privilege
- Recognizes the birth of a wonderful civic life
- Understood the role of privileged life in Brooklyn
- Experience with neighbors who saw no way out
- Have a mindset of gratitude (abundance vs. lack)
Liz’s take on heterosexual privilege
- Lived in Kansas, people were friendly and welcoming
- Appropriate idea of what a person “should” be as a white, heterosexual couple.
How to use your privilege for good
- Look at how you spend time and money
- Work on projects that provide the most value
The relationship between thrift and minimalism
- Associated with environmental protection and sustainability
- Less stress, stronger relationship with husband
- Focusing on the highest and best priorities creates clarity
The concept of “smoothing the happiness curve”
- Previously, Glücksspitze lived on weekends
- Experienced accident on Monday back in the cabin
- Now “Live the life we want, every single day.”
What we can learn about spending from Liz’s Rumspringa
- Didn’t deliver the happiness and fulfillment that was promised
- Ask what you want your life to represent
- Spend money on the things that matter most to you
- More choice reduces happiness
The Uber Frugal Month Challenge
- Only spend on things you need
- Gradually add back what is important to you