How to save money daily and rediscover life.

We can all save money each day. The trick is figuring out how much are we willing to give up to do it. Let's face it, our wants have become our needs. We don't "need" cable or satellite, but Heaven forbid we are forced to watch only 3 to 4 channels. We don't "need" cell phones nor do our children, but how can we survive without them? Our kids can't live without all the new gaming systems and the add-on costs of the games that go with them, but we surely can't make them be reduced to playing outside! Honestly, life is nicer having all the luxeries that we have, but we can certainly live without them. I mean, how do you think we got here to begin with? Our parents and grandparents didn't have it and they seemed to do pretty good. And so can you, if you are willing!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Determination
• Imagination
• Motivation

1. Examine your life. Do you really need everything you pay for each month? Make a list of all of your montly bills and beside each make a notation of whether it is an essential or a luxery. House payments, insurance, etc. or necessities. If you have both a landline and a cell phone, you can give one up. Believe me, you can! Decide which one you use the most and do away with the other. The same with the cable or satellite. You can live without it.
2. What do you spend money on each day? Do you buy it because you need it or because you want it? Prime example, how many drinks do you buy when you are out? I have four kids who used to get a drink at the check out for the ride home from the grocery store. Notice I said "used to get". That is until I figured out that I was spending AT LEAST $6.25 without tax to buy them. That was for 5 sodas with me included! Not to mention the added money for when I caved for them to get the candy that the stores so seductively place at the check out to make parents lives a living you-know-what! Keep a journal of all your daily spending. At the end of the week, add it all up (make sure you are sitting down when you do it!) and then re-adjust your spending. Pack lunches instead of buying out. Take snacks and drinks for outings with the kids. You will be surprised at the savings you can have.
3. SLOW DOWN! Why are we in such a hurry all of the time? Sticking to the speed limit is such a money saver. I didn't think it would be but it is. Just by driving 55 mph I raised my average from 16.4 to 20mpg. For a 20 gallon tank that is about 70 miles extra. At $4 a gallon we are saving about $14.00 a tank of gas. Once a week fill-ups add up to over $700 a year. Take the extra time you have in the car by talking with the family if they are with you. If they aren't, just look around you (while keeping your eyes on the road!!) and take in those things that you normally would miss. I have also discovered a new sick pleasure! I love it when those motorist who are in such a hurry come speeding up behind me and glare at me as the pass me only to be stuck waiting at the red light as I pull up beside them, smiling so sweetly! (big sigh with content) Good times.
4. KIDS DO NOT NEED VIDEO GAMES no matter what they tell you. Nor do they need expensive name brand clothing, cell phones, etc. I love my kids but I really don't care if their social life is shattered because they don't have these things. I didn't have it and while it seemed like I was doomed to a life of gloom and doom because I didn't have Calvin jeans and Gloria fashions (teen of the 80's), I survived. Pretty good, as a matter of fact, and my parents didn't break the bank in the process. Yes, my heart broken but I did learn over time that those things weren't important. They actually taught me values by not giving me everything I wanted. Seems some parents have lost that idea over the years. As parents we always want to give our kids the best and what we didn't have but is that always the best FOR them? If they want something special like the above, make them save and pay for it. Teach them now the value of money so they don't end up paying for it later....literally and figuratively speaking.
5. So now what? We have nothing to watch on tv, can't talk on the phone because your teen is hogging the one phone you have, etc. Use your imagination! Get the kids outdoors and go for a walk. Meet your neighbors. Talk to your parents and grandparents and find out how they existed without all the luxeries we have today. Get back to the basics and discover a whole new world. Get to know your family again. Slow down and enjoy life. You only get one and if you are too caught up in figuring out how to pay for the all the stuff you have, you are going to miss out on the things that are really important.
6. With the money that you save, put some in savings and leave it. Forget its there. Set aside some to pay extra on your credit cards. Always try to pay more than the minimum balance and try your best NOT to use them. Emergency use only and no the big sale on shoes is not an emergency. The rest of your savings, put aside for something special. Just as you are teaching your kids the value of money, you have to re-learn it again. Save up your money to buy those special things and you will appreciate them so much more.

Tips & Warnings

• Get your family involved.
• Go slow. You can't do it all at once! The more you watch your savings grow the more you will be willing to give up those extras to make it happen.