- Use cash. Instead of charging
things to credit cards or debit cards, use cash for non-bill spending such as
eating out, gas, and groceries. Spending cash makes the spending more real, and
there’s an added advantage of knowing when you’re out of cash, instead of
spending more than you
- Stay home. Going out makes you more
likely to spend unnecessarily. You eat at restaurants, go to the mall, and stop
at the gas station for snacks. It’s hard to avoid spending when you’re on the
road. Instead, stay home, and find free entertainment. It’s also a great way to
bond with your family.
- Keep a 30-day list. If you have an impulse to
buy something you don’t absolutely need, put it on a 30-day list. You can’t buy
anything but necessities — everything else goes on the list, with the date that
it’s added to the list. When the 30 days are up, you can buy it — but most
likely, the strong urge to buy it will be gone, and you can evaluate it more
calmly.
- Cook at home. I know, it seems more
difficult than eating out. But it doesn’t have to be hard. Throw together a
quick stir-fry with frozen veggies and either boneless chicken or (my favorite)
tofu with soy sauce or tamari. Make home-made pizza with a ready-made crust,
some sauce, cheese and veggies. Put some spices on something and throw it in
the oven while you cook some brown rice. Not only is this much cheaper than
eating out, but it’s healthier.
- Exercise. Staying healthy is the
best way to avoid costly medical bills later.
- Pay savings and debt first. When you sit down to pay
your bills (I do them all online), make the first bills you pay be your savings
transfer and your debt payments. If not, if you pay them last … you’ll often
end up shortchanging them. But if you pay them first, you’ll make sure you
still pay your rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries and gas … so you’ll just
cut back on other spending.
- Lend and borrow. Give books and clothes
and toys you don’t need any more to your friends and family. If you need
something, send out an email asking if anyone has it. Chances are, they’ll give
it to you for free if they don’t use it anymore.
- Find happiness in life, not
spending.
Many times people buy stuff because they think (subconsciously perhaps) that it
will bring them happiness. They just HAVE to have the latest gadget or shoes or
cars. It’s so fun! And yet, you buy that stuff, and you’re only happy for a day
or two at most. Then you just need to buy more. It’s a never-ending cycle.
Instead, learn to love life. Find joy in nature! In the people around you! In
doing something you love! In exercise and meditation! There’s so much in life
to make us happy, there’s no need to find it in spending.
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