HOW TO STICK TO A BUDGET
Many cringe at the word budget because the image that comes to mind is one of a miserable and boring life. We have a preconceived notion of being on a budget and living a frugal lifestyle. These stereotypes are something that I would love to help you move past today.
How to stick to a budget and find joy
I strive to live a more frugal life and live on a budget and while doing so I have discovered I can still live a Joyful life. In the past I have found that the lifestyle I lived where I spent and accumulated more debt was actually far more miserable. Why was it miserable? I think the biggest reason is the lack of contentment in my life was making me way more miserable. I often looked around me and thought that everyone else was happier. I never understood why no matter how much I spent and what I accumulated, I was never happy. Look around you at all that you have in your own life currently. Do these things really bring you joy? Do you feel happier when you spend money? Do you frequently find yourself wanting or feeling that you need more later?
The reason you feel this way is simply because the more you have does not increase your joy in life. The more material items that you have and money that you make, will not create happiness or contentment. Joy and contentment are found in appreciating what you already have and learning to be grateful. One of the biggest money-saving tips I can offer you in getting your finances on track is this. Make a budget and stick to it! This is both one of the simplest and hardest things to do. I am certain many of you are like me and struggle to make a budget work because you lack the will power to stick to it. Saving money through great deals and coupons have always been my thing. But not spending, that is often a foreign subject to me and not one that I easily embrace. My husband and I try to sit down and develop a budget and stick to it and although it looks great on paper, it is much easier to write it out than to actually do it. I have found that when I do write out all of my expenses and begin To keep track of what is spent, I am surprised at how much I actually spend. Some of the ways that money quickly slips through my fingers, are some of the best ways that you can actually cut expenses yourself and begin to save money you never realized you could.
1) Pack your lunch for work or school
Not my favorite thing to do but it can easily cut an additional $3-$7 dollars a day just by packing your lunch. If you begin to pack your lunches you will have the extra grocery expenses, but packing your lunch is so much healthier and cheaper. If you manage your budget right and prepare well for weekly meals you can often simply take left overs which makes packing lunch that much easier.
2) Write a grocery list and menu
This is also not a favorite thing for me to do, however it has great benefits and has helped me to be successful in packing my lunches more. I have found Eating out during the day on lunch or even grabbing take out after work, can be prevented as long as I prepare ahead. Making a list has saved me a lot in impulse purchases if I commit to sticking to it, so the key is having the willpower to pass up items you did not plan for and do not need.
3) Cook at home more
A great way to cut expenses, is to stop eating out as much and cook at home. More Americans eat out every year, and they often end up eating fast food which is terribly unhealthy for you. This will help save you from eating out more and help you to save a great deal of money. A positive additional benefit is you may end up healthier and even possible losing some weight if you cook your own meals at home. Pinterest is my go to place for great recipes, I love the variety of free recipes available on Pinterest at my fingertips.
4) Eliminate unnecessary expenses
If you have cable get rid of it this is definitely not a necessary expense and can easily be cancelled. There is so much more to watch on the internet these days whether on you tube or even a reasonably priced subscription service. You can subscribe to either Netflix or Amazon Prime, both have a lot of entertainment available for a very cheap price. A Netflix membership fee or Amazon Prime membership offer great reasonably priced entertainment for all ages. Amazon Prime also offers free two-day shipping on many items, which saves a lot when you are a frequent shopper on Amazon among other perks. Most people do not have a home phone but if you are one of the few that do this is an unnecessary expense, and can be easily eliminated since most of us have cell phones today.
5) Make your own coffee at home
Stop going to coffee shops and make your own coffee at home. This is an easy way to save money just by making your coffee at home, coffee shops charge so much and the amount adds up quickly, especially if you buy coffee everyday. A great way to still enjoy your coffee shop favorites at home at a more reasonable price if you must have them is buying an espresso maker and making them yourselves. I own a Nespresso Vertuoline coffee maker and after owning this machine I know that I will never go back. This has been one of the easiest ways for me to give up coffee shop coffee and it saves me at least $3 a cup. Check out my blog posting here all about how my Nespresso helps save me money.