Part 2/9:
In 2016, I found myself in a pivotal situation intersecting comfort and frugality. I had just landed my first teaching job in China, but as summer slammed me with heat and discomfort, I faced a crucial decision regarding a basic necessity: internet access. The property manager sought my ID to register for internet service that cost around $200 a year. In that moment, I flatly refused the service, determined to take tangible steps toward saving my money.
This moment marked the beginning of my serious commitment to saving money, but it also led to a deeper realization: saving does not have to equate to living a life of deprivation.