Do you ever wonder how we, as one of the richest nations in the world, got to where we are today? I did too, and then I realized that it's directly related to the way we, as individuals, spend the money we receive on a day-to-day basis.
I can only speak for myself, but I see this in others as well.
It seems that for years the money that comes into my life has always disappeared as fast, if not faster, than it came in.
I think I always assumed there would be plenty of it around.
That was then, this is now.
The economy is a reflection of what has been building for years.
Spend, spend, spend, that's been our motto.
For those few individuals who had the insight to know the spending patterns couldn't go on, they are now reaping the wards of learning to keep a close eye on what they spend their money on and keeping more of what comes in.
Below are ten relatively painless ways for all of us to keep more of the money we have.
I hope they help you as much as they've helped me! Know that it's never too late to begin these strategies, but you do have to begin so that you can reap the rewards.
1.
Create A Budget Today (or at least this weekend) Many, myself included, avoid this first step like the plague, but it truly is empowering to look at your finances in the face.
To accept where you are, so you know what you need to do get you where you want to be.
There are many budget worksheets out there to assist in this step.
Do a Google search, find a spreadsheet that works for you and get started today.
2.
Set Your Goals, Be Realistic and Flexible Similar to setting the budget, I never set goals.
I'm not sure why, it just always seemed unnecessary.
Now, I've learned that setting goals gives me things to look forward to - to strive for.
Breaking up your goals into short-term and long-term allows you to see your progress along the way.
When setting your goals, keep them realistic about what you can do.
Being realistic means setting goals that are achievable in your particular situation.
If you set unrealistic goals you face not achieving them and going back to your old ways.
Start with small, baby steps and you're sure to reach them.
Also stay flexible with your goals.
If you're on track and doing what you set up to achieve your goals, don't let minor hiccups along the way get you down.
There will always be occasional things come up.
Just remain flexible, move through it and get right back on track.
3.
Stop Competing with Others This step is truly freeing.
As I said at the beginning, spending as if it will never catch up with us is how we got to where we are.
We all want to be accepted by others, but we go beyond simple acceptance to "being better" than the other.
This creates big problems when we are spending on things we really can't afford just so someone else will think we're better in some way.
Deep down we know we can't afford it, so we feel it's a facade.
All the while, others are doing it as well, so it's a vicious cycle for us all.
Allow people to accept you based on 'who you are as a person' and spend only on your true desires.
You'll feel freer, others will feel freer, and you'll be saving money as well.
4.
Wants Versus Needs This is a tough one but well worth the effort.
If even just for a short-term goal, allow yourself to only purchase items you truly need.
After a while of seeing all that you can do without and how much lighter it makes you feel, you may just want to stick to this way of living 'most of the time.
' 5.
Do Several Errands In One Trip How many times have you ran to the bank, came home, realized you needed something at the store, came home, then went and picked up the kids? To save gas, wear and tear on your car, and help clean the air that we breathe, begin making a list of all the places you need to go in a day and allow yourself enough time to complete them all at once.
Visually map out or locations so that they are completed in a logical way that the last errand is the one closest to your home.
6.
Living Within Your Means This goes along with the budget, competing with others and wants versus needs.
For years, credit flowed so freely and jobs were so plentiful we got in the habit of getting whatever we needed or wanted right when we wanted it and paying later.
This always catches up and we end up angry at ourselves for the debt that has accumulated.
Living within your means is enjoying what you have, being thankful for it and making it last.
The days of frivolous spending are gone for most of us and I think it's for the best.
Time to remember what's truly important and being grateful for it.
7.
Give Thrift Stores and Garage Sales a Second Look This is one area I have always enjoyed and wished more people would utilize.
Not only can we save a lot of money by taking the time to go enjoy these places, we are also benefiting the earth by reusing what's already been produced, shipped somewhere and sold at marked up prices.
With a little extra time spent searching through another's trash, one can truly find their own treasures.
Give it a try - you'll meet your neighbors, save a lot of money and find some really cool stuff! 8.
Gift Giving Holidays and birthdays have become multi-billion dollar industries.
The most unfortunate part is that most of the gifts we 'purchase' are manufactured in China and shipped around the country.
It is so nice when I receive a handmade gift.
No matter how simple a gift it is, I always cherish it more somehow.
I now have begun making my own gifts and realize that others truly appreciate it more as well.
There are all kinds of ideas of what you can make right on the Internet, just search for an area you're interested in or that is a hobby of yours, baking, crafts, woodworking, etc.
You'll save so much money and the recipient have a one-of-a-kind gift and will be truly grateful.
9.
Think Free! There are many things we all can do for free, we just need to research our community a little better.
If you live near a college, they always have free resources for entertainment, from massages to classes, even plays and shows.
There are festivals and free concerts all listed in local papers.
Also when thinking free, check out websites like freecycle.
org and totallyfreebies.
com.
And while you're at it, do a search for local free sites in your geographical location.
10.
Consider Selling Some of Your Stuff Every time I clean my house I find stuff I no longer want or need.
Whether I donate these items to a thrift store (for a tax deduction), sell it by having a garage sale, or list it on an auction site like eBay, I always feel much lighter and have more money in my pocket.
If you've sold the items, put that money into savings right away.
Simply by becoming aware of what we bring into our lives, we find many ways to decide, instead, to put that money aside into a savings account of some sort.
I have found that having the money sitting there, rather than that knick-knack from China, makes me feel much more empowered and in control.
I can only speak for myself, but I see this in others as well.
It seems that for years the money that comes into my life has always disappeared as fast, if not faster, than it came in.
I think I always assumed there would be plenty of it around.
That was then, this is now.
The economy is a reflection of what has been building for years.
Spend, spend, spend, that's been our motto.
For those few individuals who had the insight to know the spending patterns couldn't go on, they are now reaping the wards of learning to keep a close eye on what they spend their money on and keeping more of what comes in.
Below are ten relatively painless ways for all of us to keep more of the money we have.
I hope they help you as much as they've helped me! Know that it's never too late to begin these strategies, but you do have to begin so that you can reap the rewards.
1.
Create A Budget Today (or at least this weekend) Many, myself included, avoid this first step like the plague, but it truly is empowering to look at your finances in the face.
To accept where you are, so you know what you need to do get you where you want to be.
There are many budget worksheets out there to assist in this step.
Do a Google search, find a spreadsheet that works for you and get started today.
2.
Set Your Goals, Be Realistic and Flexible Similar to setting the budget, I never set goals.
I'm not sure why, it just always seemed unnecessary.
Now, I've learned that setting goals gives me things to look forward to - to strive for.
Breaking up your goals into short-term and long-term allows you to see your progress along the way.
When setting your goals, keep them realistic about what you can do.
Being realistic means setting goals that are achievable in your particular situation.
If you set unrealistic goals you face not achieving them and going back to your old ways.
Start with small, baby steps and you're sure to reach them.
Also stay flexible with your goals.
If you're on track and doing what you set up to achieve your goals, don't let minor hiccups along the way get you down.
There will always be occasional things come up.
Just remain flexible, move through it and get right back on track.
3.
Stop Competing with Others This step is truly freeing.
As I said at the beginning, spending as if it will never catch up with us is how we got to where we are.
We all want to be accepted by others, but we go beyond simple acceptance to "being better" than the other.
This creates big problems when we are spending on things we really can't afford just so someone else will think we're better in some way.
Deep down we know we can't afford it, so we feel it's a facade.
All the while, others are doing it as well, so it's a vicious cycle for us all.
Allow people to accept you based on 'who you are as a person' and spend only on your true desires.
You'll feel freer, others will feel freer, and you'll be saving money as well.
4.
Wants Versus Needs This is a tough one but well worth the effort.
If even just for a short-term goal, allow yourself to only purchase items you truly need.
After a while of seeing all that you can do without and how much lighter it makes you feel, you may just want to stick to this way of living 'most of the time.
' 5.
Do Several Errands In One Trip How many times have you ran to the bank, came home, realized you needed something at the store, came home, then went and picked up the kids? To save gas, wear and tear on your car, and help clean the air that we breathe, begin making a list of all the places you need to go in a day and allow yourself enough time to complete them all at once.
Visually map out or locations so that they are completed in a logical way that the last errand is the one closest to your home.
6.
Living Within Your Means This goes along with the budget, competing with others and wants versus needs.
For years, credit flowed so freely and jobs were so plentiful we got in the habit of getting whatever we needed or wanted right when we wanted it and paying later.
This always catches up and we end up angry at ourselves for the debt that has accumulated.
Living within your means is enjoying what you have, being thankful for it and making it last.
The days of frivolous spending are gone for most of us and I think it's for the best.
Time to remember what's truly important and being grateful for it.
7.
Give Thrift Stores and Garage Sales a Second Look This is one area I have always enjoyed and wished more people would utilize.
Not only can we save a lot of money by taking the time to go enjoy these places, we are also benefiting the earth by reusing what's already been produced, shipped somewhere and sold at marked up prices.
With a little extra time spent searching through another's trash, one can truly find their own treasures.
Give it a try - you'll meet your neighbors, save a lot of money and find some really cool stuff! 8.
Gift Giving Holidays and birthdays have become multi-billion dollar industries.
The most unfortunate part is that most of the gifts we 'purchase' are manufactured in China and shipped around the country.
It is so nice when I receive a handmade gift.
No matter how simple a gift it is, I always cherish it more somehow.
I now have begun making my own gifts and realize that others truly appreciate it more as well.
There are all kinds of ideas of what you can make right on the Internet, just search for an area you're interested in or that is a hobby of yours, baking, crafts, woodworking, etc.
You'll save so much money and the recipient have a one-of-a-kind gift and will be truly grateful.
9.
Think Free! There are many things we all can do for free, we just need to research our community a little better.
If you live near a college, they always have free resources for entertainment, from massages to classes, even plays and shows.
There are festivals and free concerts all listed in local papers.
Also when thinking free, check out websites like freecycle.
org and totallyfreebies.
com.
And while you're at it, do a search for local free sites in your geographical location.
10.
Consider Selling Some of Your Stuff Every time I clean my house I find stuff I no longer want or need.
Whether I donate these items to a thrift store (for a tax deduction), sell it by having a garage sale, or list it on an auction site like eBay, I always feel much lighter and have more money in my pocket.
If you've sold the items, put that money into savings right away.
Simply by becoming aware of what we bring into our lives, we find many ways to decide, instead, to put that money aside into a savings account of some sort.
I have found that having the money sitting there, rather than that knick-knack from China, makes me feel much more empowered and in control.