Simplitudes

Eliminating bad spending habits…

Here are some tips that have helped me to reduce my habitual spending habits:

1) If you work outside the home, make sure you pack your own breakfast and lunch. Find jobs close to home and save on gas or carpool. If you drive an older car, the money you save on food and gas can go towards car repairs.
2) Purchase work attire with more natural fibers, this way you can eliminate dry cleaning all together and wash and iron your own clothes at home. You might not even need to iron if you get used to setting your washer and dryer on permanent press.
3) Give yourself a weekly allowance and remember that once it’s gone it’s gone. Pretend a certain amount is all you have left and you have no other money sources.
4) Eliminate expensive and unhealthy manicures and pedicures. Try doing your own at home or go without it all together. These can add up to some big chunks of money coming out of your monthly budget.
5) When you’re in need of services such as haircuts or dental work, you may consider Barber schools or student dental centers. I cut and or trim everyone’s hair at home. I’ve had loads of experience cutting hair, not to mention, my Father was a Barber, so I hung out at his shop a lot and learned from just watching him. My Brother is also a Barber and Hairstylist now, but he lives in another city, and it’s much more time and money saving for me to cut my own family’s hair.
6) Try not to use other ATM machines other than your own bank. Those service charges can add up and at times I’ve even forgotten to add the fees and have thrown my checkbook off balance.
7) Replace the shopping habit with healthier alternatives. If shopping used to be the way of fulfilling yourself or making yourself happy, try lower cost hobbies or forms of entertainment. Got to the library or out for a picnic. Get some new interests and hobbies that are free or can be started with very little investment. If you don’t have the money to buy something, don’t buy it on credit. Wait till you have the cash, find some alternative replacement or try to do without it all together.
9) Be smart if you’re into the whole coupon thing. Don’t buy something you rarely use just because you found a coupon for it. I find shopping at discount food stores is actually cheaper than taking time out to cut coupons. If it works for you though, go for it.
10) Avoid eating out. It’s both expensive, habit forming and very unhealthy. It will make you lazy and you won’t be able to stay on budget. Your extra money can surely go to more than a dinner out or calling for delivery. Plan your weekly menu and shop list and try cooking meals for freezing on the weekend. Just bring meals down from the freezer the night before or morning of.
11) Use generic wherever possible. A more expensive item isn’t always better. I use  inexpensive fragrance oils and they always get me compliments, and because they’re a pure oil, they stay on me pretty much all day long.
12) Try buying in bulk for larger families. Again like coupons, be careful not to fall into the over buying trap simply because it’s on sale and there’s large amounts offered.
13) Check into switching to a credit union. They offer free checking and lots of other free and convenient services that large banks won’t.
14) Try snail mail or email instead of calling long distance. Purchase some inexpensive stationery and let it be an incentive to writing to family and friends. Beware of cheap phone packages that offer lower rates. Make sure the rates are continuous and not just for the first couple of months.
15) Insulate and weather strip areas of your home and keep your air ducts and filters clear of dust. Your air conditioning unit will work more efficiently, last longer and your electric bill will be a lot lower.
16) Never pay for shipping on your purchases unless you absolutely need it and can’t find it elsewhere. The worst is buying off television or on the internet with shipping added.
17) Avoid buying fire- wood in grocery stores. It’s most expensive there. Try getting your own or bartering with friends. Try finding folks that will deliver wood in bulk.
18) Stay at home when funds are running low or are gone all together. Avoid driving as much as possible. Do activities that will bring you a sense of peace and comfort so you won’t sit around worrying until funds become available again. Separate yourself and take time to rest, you’ll need your energy for errands and responsibilities that will soon come again.
19) Use up pantry food after fresh food is gone. Take it down to bare minimum if possible. I do #18 and #19 several times a year before getting paid the first week of every month. Some months have more spending than others. This month, for example, I have the yearly car registrations due. Always have some money on hand for life’s little emergencies.
20) I have replaced a lot of bad spending habits with reading. Books take me away and some of my best reads have been free or real cheap second hand buys. I’ve actually come across some first edition books signed by the author for free or very little cost.

Books are one of the best things you can leave your children. Reading is a very powerful tool that benefits every life young or old. Just relax and don’t worry yourself when funds are low. If you know money will eventually come in, worrying won’t solve anything. Keep a positive attitude and make the most of what you have. Be creative and figure out some ways to make a little money on the side. I often think of people that have absolutely nothing and it makes me take a good look at how much I really have and how much I really don’t need, especially to survive. Survival is basic and that’s where simplicity and frugality comes in. Keep it at need level and when you have a little extra, you’ll enjoy it and appreciate so much more. It’s great if your children can witness this as well.

Later,g