Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Abstrak penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis alasan penerapan konsep frugal living pada beberapa mahasiswa perantau di universitas syiah kuala banda aceh yang menghadapi tantangan dalam pengelolaan keuangan, perbedaan budaya konsumsi, serta tekanan sosial di lingkungan perantauan. penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kasus. informan dipilih melalui teknik purposive sampling dengan kriteria mahasiswa perantau yang aktif menerapkan prinsip frugal living. data dikumpulkan melalui observasi, wawancara mendalam, dan dokumentasi, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan teknik thematic analysis. penelitian ini menggunakan teori pilihan rasional dari james coleman sebagai kerangka analisis untuk menjelaskan alasan dibalik tindakan mahasiswa sebagai aktor rasional dalam mengelola sumber daya yang dimiliki. hasil penelitian menunjukkan penerapan gaya hidup frugal living pada mahasiswa perantau ini dilatarbelakangi oleh kesadaran untuk mempersiapkan masa depan secara lebih matang. mahasiswa perantau ini tidak hanya berfokus pada kebutuhan saat ini, tetapi juga memiliki tujuan jangka panjang yang ingin ia penuhi seperti melanjutkan pendidikan, mengikuti pelatihan, serta mencapai kestabilan finansial di masa depan. strategi yang dilakukan meliputi pencatatan pengeluaran, pengalokasian dana berdasarkan prioritas kebutuhan, pembatasan pengeluaran non-prioritas, serta pengendalian diri dalam aktivitas konsumsi. dengan demikian, frugal living bukan sekadar trend gaya hidup, melainkan bentuk adaptasi rasional mahasiswa perantau terhadap kondisi sosial-ekonomi di lingkungan perantauan. kata kunci: frugal living, mahasiswa perantau, pengelolaan keuangan, pilihan rasional

ABSTRACT This study aims to analyze the reasons for implementing the frugal living concept among several migrant students at Syiah Kuala University in Banda Aceh who face challenges in financial management, differences in consumption culture, and social pressures in their migrant environment. This study uses a qualitative method with a case study approach. Informants were selected through purposive sampling technique with the criteria of migrant students who actively apply the principles of frugal living. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, then analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. This study uses James Coleman's Rational Choice Theory as an analytical framework to explain the reasons behind the students' actions as rational actors in managing their resources. The results show that the implementation of a frugal living lifestyle among these migrant students is motivated by an awareness of preparing for the future more maturely. These migrant students not only focus on current needs, but also have long-term goals that they want to fulfill, such as continuing their education, taking training, and achieving financial stability in the future. The strategies implemented include recording expenses, allocating funds based on priority needs, limiting non-priority expenses, and self-control in consumption activities. Thus, frugal living is not just a lifestyle trend, but a form of rational adaptation by students living away from home to the socio-economic conditions in their environment. Keywords: Frugal living, students living away from home, financial management, rational choices