Jugaad: how to save money with this Indian tradition 

“Jugaad” is a very popular term in India, which has been gaining many followers in Brazil, especially because it has a certain similarity with our “Brazilian way”.

Finding solutions instead of focusing on problems is one of the foundations of this concept, which relies on flexibility and adaptation to find practical solutions.

Genius? Comfort? An intelligent way of seeing life? Well, everyone can interpret it in their own way.

But the truth is that Jugaad can transform the lives of its followers. Want to know how? Check out the content below!

Jugaad: understand the concept 

You have certainly heard about the “Brazilian way” and you probably believe that only our country relies on creativity to deal with problems.

But, it is not quite like that, and Jugaad, a kind of Indian tradition, demonstrates this very well.

Jugaad is also known as a creative way of dealing with problems: instead of facing them with worry, why not focus on possible solutions?

This is a concept that is often observed when dealing with products, as in India it is common to produce new items from old electronics, for example.

Explaining it in a very simplified way, it would be like: “Oops, the blender cup burned out… What if I use the blades to produce a manual grinder?”

Although it ends up having enormous economic influence, Jugaad actually changes the way we look at life, demonstrating that there is a solution for everything, we just need to look at the possibilities.

Therefore, if a project doesn't work out, there's no reason to despair. All you need to do is find a way to transform the idea and achieve a possible result. It's like a frequent "recalculation of the route." 

Some people see it as inner peace, while others see it as conformity, but the strengths of Jugaad are: creativity, innovation, flexibility e adaptation.

How to save money with the Jugaad tradition?

As we have seen, Jugaad ends up influencing many sectors in India, as it interferes with the way an individual views the world.

But can Jugaad concepts help in everyday economics?

Well, if we consider that this work focuses on creativity, innovation, flexibility and adaptation, it may be quite possible to find practical methods of saving.

Especially for those who need innovative ideas to save money, putting your mind to finding ways instead of worrying can be a great way to solve problems.

We have some tips for including this tradition in your daily life. Check it out!

Do you know the Scottish Frugal lifestyle? Learn how to save money with it!

1. Food: Innovate in recipes: bet on less is more 

Buying the most expensive cuts of meat or out-of-season vegetables can be very tempting, after all, who doesn't want to eat well?

But did you know that you don’t necessarily need top-quality meat to make a tasty dish?

Or, can you adapt your recipes to use seasonal vegetables, and thus make your shopping cheaper?

We are very used to keeping recipes that bring us comfort and memories, but innovating in the kitchen can help you save money and even discover new flavors.

If your everyday bread is expensive, what do you think about looking for a soft, tasty and economical recipe on the internet?

Or, if you can't do without a green juice, but kale is out of season and expensive, what do you think about trying a new juice flavor, with fresh fruit?

Your shopping cart can be cheaper if you realize that you can decide to take different items instead of always following the same list.

2. Money: make your monthly planning more flexible – create options 

One of the biggest problems when dealing with finances is certainly keeping things within budget.

You plan to spend R$600.00 on groceries, but the softener and oil run out right in the middle of the month, or you always put a cost of R$70.00 on the spreadsheet for the electricity bill, but in one month the bill comes to R$140.00.

These extra costs can weigh heavily, and at the end of the month, if everything is too tight, some bills may end up being left over because it was necessary to cover other more important expenses.

So, it is important that you are flexible with your spending, considering that things are not always under control.

Should you plan ahead? Of course. But instead of writing down fair values, always add a margin above.

This is because, if you don't do this, you may think you have some money left over, spend it and at the end of the month have difficulty paying the bills that came in higher than expected.

Furthermore, it is worth creating options, as extraordinary expenses arise, but the salary is always the same, so what to do if the car breaks down, for example?

In your budget, it is worth considering which expenses can be carried over to the next month without too much loss, so that it is possible to cover the extra expense.

+Tips for saving money in your daily life

3. Clothing: invest in your own style and enhance your own talents 

Clothing costs can be a burden on a daily basis, especially for those who are concerned about maintaining a current and varied style.

But, considering the concepts of flexibility and doing more with less, it is important to stop following trends (which change all the time) and focus on your own identity.

If you know what is important to you and what makes you feel good, it becomes easier to invest in pieces that work, without having to spend frequently on new pieces.

And, if you want to save even more, what do you think about using your own talents to produce your own pieces, or customizing pieces from thrift stores?

It is perfectly possible to find pieces in excellent condition in thrift stores, and with a few adaptations you can make them very modern.

It is worth mentioning that older pieces tend to have better fabric, and in some cases it is even possible to find luxury brand items from very old collections.

So, if you know how to use adaptation, you will certainly have a unique, efficient and very economical wardrobe.

4. In financial adversity: keep confidence in yourself 

Our last tip may seem a little silly, but in fact, it is perhaps the most important of all.

This is because the Jugaad tradition does not just talk about adaptations to moments, but rather about changing perspectives on things, that is, a new way of living.

Especially for those who deal with anxiety, moments of adversity can be a huge blow, generating despair.

This desperation, in many cases, leads to drastic and thoughtless behavior, such as throwing everything up in the air.

And, as we have already seen, at Jugaad the secret is to transform moments in a practical, intelligent way and with the available resources. 

To achieve all of this, it is crucial to have confidence in yourself, in order to believe that you will be able to overcome the problem with patience and persistence.

Did you like the tips? So, if you liked the “Jugaad” way of living, what do you think about applying it to your daily life and thus saving money? It could be an excellent idea!