Many people want to change their financial situation but either do something one time and wonder why it doesn't make a difference, or simply feel overwhelmed at making changes in their lives. After all, they are tired, overworked and stressed. Living frugally is indeed a lifestyle change and must be in order to make any real difference, but change should be made in small steps.
Change your Think to a Thunk.
Saying to yourself "I think things can be different" is the first step. In making small changes daily, you can turn that think into a thunk....meaning things are different because of choices you have made. I thunk it and so it became true. Okay, so that's a little corny, but the thought sticks. Every time you feel frustrated with your finances, you can say to yourself "I am going to change my think to a thunk". Or you can make up your own little mantra, whatever works for you. Just remind yourself that things don't have to be the way they are. They can indeed be better.
In this blog, I intend to post things that we regularly do around here that save money. Many of them are small things that all add up into a lot of savings.
If you could give yourself a tax-free raise, wouldn't you do it? Many people will work extra for some extra money because they know exactly what they are getting per hour. Translate what you save into per hour wage to help you figure out what you are doing for yourselves.
For example, (and I hesitate to use this example, lest men think this is a housewife blog....I will have many household tips but my husband also does many frugal things and I will be including some of those things in the blog too) if you normally run to the supermarket and pick up a few things.....after work you are rushing madly, grabbing things as you go, knowing that you don't have much at home....this looks good and that looks good, you have to eat after all.....that can cost you a lot of money. If you spend some time, even an hour per week preparing your shopping trips, you can save $20-$30 a week on groceries.
That's $20.00-$30.00 an hour TAX FREE!! Granted, you can only do this once a week, but are you better off working that extra hour at work or using that time to save on grocery shopping? Depending on your wage, you can make this decision for yourself. Or, you can do both. But there are many things this applies to, grocery shopping just being the tip of the iceberg.
So, make small changes every day. Learn what some of those small changes are and change your Think to a Thunk. Tax free. :)
Any day that I can make money tax free by saving money is a good day! Who enjoys paying taxes? I sure don't! If I can (legally) avoid giving the tax man any more than I have to, I feel good! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love this! Changing your think to a "thunk" means being willing to not have to have everything you think you need today. It means being willing to shop, compare prices, and make sure what you are really wanting to purchase is a necessary thing. We live in an instant gratification society... gotta have it now... and changing that "think" to a thunk of ... I'll wait to get what I want when I have really decided that it is a need, and not a want, and I get the best price for my $$... way to go girl on your new gas saving Prius!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, it really is about delayed gratification. That takes patience and determination. And work! I think people get discouraged too fast when it comes to frugality, but it really does pay off. I do love my Prius! :)
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