How to Live a Champagne Lifestyle On a Beer Budget
It is easy to believe that because you have a limited income you have to sacrifice enjoyment. Americans typically equate satisfaction with money, and assume that only wealthy people can enjoy the finer things in life, such as nice clothes, travel and good food. However, living a "champagne lifestyle," as the saying goes, doesn't require a six-figure income and a hefty bank account balance. Simple strategies can help you enjoy life, even if you haven't won the lottery or landed a high-paying job.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
-
-
1
Shop for clothes at thrift stores and second-hand clothing stores. These businesses offer high-quality merchandise at a fraction of the cost of retail. You can find designer purses, high-quality shoes and dresses and name-brand streetwear for less than you would pay for discount-quality merchandise at a traditional retailer.
-
2
Set up a barter exchange with friends, neighbors or coworkers to obtain goods and services that would ordinarily cost money. For example, you could mow a neighbor's lawn in exchange for a decadent dessert, or obtain babysitting for a date night in exchange for cleaning your neighbor's gutters.
-
3
Grow your own vegetables in a backyard garden or container garden instead of buying organic produce at the grocery store. Freeze or can vegetables left over at the end of the season.
-
4
Buy a car that is one or two model years old instead of purchasing a brand new car. New cars depreciate significantly during the first year, so this strategy can help you obtain a nice car while potentially saving thousands of dollars.
-
5
Opt for a small home or condo instead of purchasing or renting a large home. This will save on mortgage or rent, and will also help you save money on utilities. Spend some of the money you save on second-hand or overstock decor to make your home an enjoyable and inviting place to live.
-
6
Buy meats, fruits and grains at local farmers' markets instead of the local supermarket. Cutting out the middleman allows farmers to offer quality food at lower prices. Buying directly from farmers also helps sustain local agriculture.
-
7
Travel during off-peak times, avoiding holidays and other times when hotel and transportation costs are high. For example, visit Niagara Falls in late October when hotel rooms and flights are a fraction of summer rates. Traveling outside of peak season also means fewer tourists, so you can spend your time enjoying the sights instead of wading through crowds.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Avoid buying items until you can pay for them with cash or a debit card. This saves you money in interest, allowing you to spend your money on enjoyable things and activities instead of on the privilege of borrowing money.
