Living beneath your means is a bit of a tricky prescription. The truth is, few of us actually do it. One look at the world around us and we can see that we tend to live on the side of excess in our society. Fortunately, we can live beneath our means and do so with far less pain than one might expect. Here are five tips for how to live beneath your means and not feel as though you are ripping your fun out of your life along the way:
Find Your Favorite Splurge
Everyone has that special splurge that is unique to them. For some, it might be imported chocolates or wine…others might love splurging on tickets to the opera or a Major League Baseball game. Whatever makes you feel “rich” inside, hold onto it and allow yourself a rare taste. If we allow ourselves our favorite wants, then meeting the needs and passing on the other things will be a bit easier. Get the most “want” you can for your bucks!
Never Buy Anything On The First Trip
If you go shopping and see something you want, never buy it the first time you see it. Always make yourself go back to purchase it and you will be shocked at how many things get forgotten about. If you forget about them that easily, you certainly are not in pain, right?
Budget Budget Budget
Don’t tell yourself that you can’t have something. Tell yourself instead that you will have to budget for it. The fact is, anything worth having is worth budgeting and saving for. If not, then it was not worth buying in the first place. Budget a plan and have those things you want in the right way!
Work For the Extras
Again, if it is worth having it is worth working for. If you have things you want that are beyond your means, add a second job or a home business. You will be shocked at how many methods to make money are out there once you start to look for them. You can have far more than you do right now, but perhaps you can earn some extra cash to do so? This way you are still building for the future and making ends meet properly.
Understand the Mentality Behind It
The toughest part of living beneath your means is understanding the logic. It is easy to understand that spending less than you earn is a good thing. It is hard to understand when you have worked 80 hours and 75 of it goes to your budget. It gets tougher still when you feel as though you are not getting anything out of the deal. There is a comfort, safety and security that comes from budgeting well and being prepared. If you have ever been caught unaware, you know this.
If you are only beginning to budget and live beneath your means, understand that it will get easier. In time, you will have plenty of space for things you don’t have right now and will grow your mini-family empire to great heights! The key is to be disciplined and to always plan ahead.
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