Super austere woman goes viral: she saves 90% of her salary and bought 2 houses in 9 years

A Chinese woman has sparked controversy online for her extremely moderate lifestyle, which is all about spending as little money as possible, even if it means giving up some of life's little pleasures.

Consumerism may be at an all-time high in the developed world right now, but the minimalist lifestyle trend is also becoming increasingly popular. In China, hundreds of thousands of people share "money-saving tips" in private social media groups, with some members noted for their super-thrifty lifestyles. One such person is Wang Shenai, a 32-year-old Nanjing resident and member of the Federation of Frugal Women, a Chinese online group with some 400,000 members.

Shenai proved to be "miserly among misers" and achieved celebrity status among her peers for her extreme money-saving techniques. However, an interview that went viral outside the “bubble” of her peers made her the subject of criticism by the general public.

The woman was invited by the TV program Talking to Strangers, broadcast on the Tencent platform. In a long interview, she talked about her money-saving techniques, capitalism, and so-called "economic minimalism."

Before the cameras, she said that she grew up in poverty and that her family always tried to save as much money as she could. Her mother kept the money in the fridge, and the rare times she gave her a coin, she made her bend down to pick it up off the floor, to show her that money was hard to come by. These first experiences stayed with him forever.

Growing up in a small and precarious house, Wang Shenai set herself the goal of getting her own house from a very young age. And as soon as she was able to get a job, she started saving up for it. While most people feel happier when they spend money on things they think will bring them happiness, Wang says she's always been happier saving. Spending money makes her feel anxious and vulnerable, while saving her savings gives her a sense of security.

Over the past nine years, Wang Shenai and her husband have managed to save about 90 percent of their monthly income, despite raising two children. In that same period they managed to acquire two houses. Such achievements were not without sacrifices, although she does not see them as such.

In the interview, Shenai said that one of the keys to her savings is second-hand objects. She explained that she only spends about 100 yuan (approximately 700 pesos) a year on underwear, and all her other clothes are gifts from friends who no longer want to wear them. Also her furniture is used.

Any type of leisure outing, such as going to dinner or having a drink with friends, is absolutely prohibited as it is considered too expensive and superfluous.

After the broadcast of the report, many viewers treated Shenai as stingy and mentally ill. She rejected such criticism and recalled that she never presented herself as an example or encouraged anyone to follow in her footsteps, and that everyone is free to proceed as she pleases.

Despite such negative comments, within groups professing "minimal economics" in China they continue to applaud Shenai as a mentor.