When you are paying a mortgage or monthly rental and trying to keep all the bills under control, you don’t think much about how to save money. You just do. You keep your Starbucks habit to once-a-week or less, use coupons, take your lunch every day and eschew the vending machines at work. You don’t eat out unless it’s a VERY special occasion, and make your own pizzas rather than have delivery.
But what happens when we are in the new place — mortgage free? We will actually have money LEFT OVER every month. And for people who just don’t spend money, we could blow this very easily, by starting spending habits we don’t need. Sure, I’ll buy those magazines! I’ll pay for SOMEONE ELSE to colour my hair (if, say, it needed colouring)! I’ll go shopping even when I don’t need something!
OK, that last one is a non-starter. I dislike shopping (especially for shoes) and there will be no room for frivolities in our new closet.
But as part of our new, simpler lifestyle, keeping control of our spending is just a part of well, life. And I could use some direction in being even more frugal.
Luckily, when the need is there….
I bought a book from a lady who spoke at a workshop I went to. Very helpful. And reassuring. Do you know a shedload of people live beyond their means? Not something to emulate, to be sure, but somehow comforting.
It’s a journey, so I’ll be working on it day by day.
With help from books, and websites like Wise Bread and LifeHacker, and some common sense.
The Lady Who Lives Down the Lane 