A common theme I’ve discovered amongst the guests I’ve interviewed co-hosting the BiggerPockets Money Podcast is frugality. Living a frugal life allows many people to reach financial freedom—or helps them move down the path at an accelerated rate.

In addition to frugality, a common theme amongst my many friends on the path to financial independence is being money conscious. They are aware of where their money is going and make conscious decisions on where to spend (and not spend) their money.

They rarely just throw out a $20 bill. (Pfft! My friends are all using credit cards to travel hack—no cash