Week Three: Create A Balance
Capping off my resolution to budget, budget, budget, and meet my financial goals, I have decided the most realistic course is to attempt to adopt a new attitude of thriftiness and simplified living. This will mean that I will have to make some cuts in my personal discretionary spending and also make some concerted effort to change how I approach each day.
Behavior changes are easier if they are taken one day at a time, so I am laying out a plan to approach this upcoming week that will hopefully equate to a Creative Savings Lifestyle Change… A change that allows me to still live rich, but also spend less.
This week I am going to focus on the art of using my own ingenuity and inventiveness in the effort to economize. To keep living rich though, it is not merely saving for the sake of saving; but is making a game of getting the most for the least outlay of cash.
To get started in the right direction (or to help refocus if you’re already headed down the frugal pathway), here is the first weeks’ worth of challenges to stretch the ability to think and act in creative but frugal ways:
Sunday For the next seven days, don’t spend any money on entertainment. Brainstorm with your family to come up with things you can do that are free: visit a library, do some mall-walking, or read some good books.
Monday Try not to purchase anything this week at full price. Use coupons, buy on sale, or simply delay your purchase until you can get the item at a discount. When you do spend, put yourself on a “cash only” system. Give your credit cards and even your checkbook a rest by buying only what you can pay for with cash.
Tuesday Today challenge yourself not to spend any money on anything. Enjoy the feeling of keeping your cash in your wallet.
Wednesday Put off a trip to the grocery store as long as you can this week. Be creative in using up what you already have in your pantry.
Thursday – Surf the Internet for new ways to save money. Sign up for a free e-mail newsletter, blog, or discussion list that will provide ideas and encouragement.
Friday Explore your cabinets for everyday items that can be “re-purposed” for things you believe you need: empty food boxes from Costco can be covered with construction paper and glue to make stackable toy containers or book nooks; sheets or pillowcases that are dingy and no longer used for beds can be trimmed and edged into doll blankets. Think to yourself: when I was in college and had no spare cash, what would I have done?
Saturday Look for ways to save gas and give your car a break this upcoming week and write out your plan. Combine errands, do business online or get some exercise by walking to places that are within walking distance.
Related articles
- Learning the ways of frugality (bramblesandrambles.wordpress.com)
- Best Money Tips: Frugal Ways to Hire a Babysitter (wisebread.com)
- 15 Frugal Ways to Battle Boredom (wisebread.com)
- Take Small Steps to Go Frugal Without Making Yourself Miserable [Saving Money] (lifehacker.com)
- When Being Frugal Isn’t the Solution (wisebread.com)