Too often, we look at saving money as something that is imposed on us and assume that it will be something miserable that we’ll have to soldier through. The truth is, for those of us who have enough to take care of our basic needs, there is no reason why we can’t look at saving money in a more positive light instead of feeling sorry for ourselves.
Look at it as a Lesson in Creativity
Instead of focusing on all the things we can’t do because we need to cut back on expenses, why not look at it as an opportunity to exercise our creativity and ingenuity? Some money saving skills that use our imagination include:
- Finding interesting and tasty uses for inexpensive ingredients and ways to use up leftovers.
- Learning to repair and re-purpose old items to meet today’s needs.
- Entertaining yourself at home instead of going out to eat or to the movies or concerts or clubs.
- Making fabulous brown bag lunches that are the envy of the lunchroom.
Celebrate your Resourcefulness
It’s easy to get things done if you throw money at it! Saving money means being resourceful and that’s something to be proud of. Instead of feeling sad because you can’t afford things, empower yourself by looking for other ways to get things done. For example:
- Finding a way to make money on the side to pay down debt faster or increase savings.
- Looking for scholarships or grants for schools, camps and other educational activities.
- Making a list of free or low cost cultural activities or events in your town.
- Learning a new skill like gardening or sewing.
Make it a Game
Everything is more fun if you make it a game! When you look at saving money as a fun challenge, it’s much easier to get and stay motivated. You could try:
- Keeping a list of your personal bests at grocery bills or utility bills and trying to shave as much off it as possible.
- Challenge your spouse or your friend on who can spend the least in a week.
- Joining a no spend challenge week or month or a pantry challenge where you only make meals from all the food languishing in your cupboards and freezer.
Share your Experiences
It’s no fun to feel like we’re the only ones going through tight times. Many people have found that starting a blog and/or joining a money saving group or forum helps them stay on track with saving money and makes things more fun and less lonely. Some ideas:
- Start a blog to share your fabulous and thrifty recipes , crafts or DIY projects.
- Join and participate in a money saving forum.
- Comment on personal finance blogs and facebook pages to share your fabulous tips.
- Don’t be afraid to talk frankly about saving money with friends and family members. Don’t be pushy or make people uncomfortable by demeaning their choices, but you’ll be surprised how many others are also trying to save money or would like to start.
Don’t look at saving money as a burden or punishment! Make the decision to be positive and look at it as a fun challenge!
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