Figure out your values first: money isn’t needed for the basics like love and joy and happiness. Look for the feeling you crave … nurture your relationships … spend more time being and doing rather than on having … appreciate what you have. Once the basics are covered, all the rest is fluff. Money itself doesn’t make you happier and the stress of keeping up with the neighbors or maintaining what you have can actually make you less happy. The key is to know yourself.
Then figure out your basic needs: health, sleep, quiet time to reflect, people to play with; family, friends and pets to love. A roof over your head <preferably paid for>, basic utilities, a car. Simple pleasures and experiences. A fun hobby or activity. Service to others.
1. Carry cash and only spend what you have … leave your credit cards at home
2. Plan for the week and don’t visit the ATM again until next week
3. Track your spending for a week … know where it goes … decide what you can live without
4. Think about what emotional need you are trying to fill by buying more “stuff”
5. Ask questions: what can I do without? Do I really need this latest gadget? Why do I want this? Where am I rich in my life <don’t compare your life to the wealthy>? Put these questions on a stickee attached to your credit cards and ask them before you buy something. <or print out the Wallet Buddy PDF which has questions to ask before buying>
6. Shop with a list and stay away from places that trigger impulse spending
7. Buy only the necessities for a month … use up food in your fridge, freezer and pantry
8. Get creative: make a list of free fun things to do
Make it a game … challenge yourself to find new ways to simplify your life and spending. Realize that less stuff means less to take care of and less stress.
Then figure out your basic needs: health, sleep, quiet time to reflect, people to play with; family, friends and pets to love. A roof over your head <preferably paid for>, basic utilities, a car. Simple pleasures and experiences. A fun hobby or activity. Service to others.
1. Carry cash and only spend what you have … leave your credit cards at home
2. Plan for the week and don’t visit the ATM again until next week
3. Track your spending for a week … know where it goes … decide what you can live without
4. Think about what emotional need you are trying to fill by buying more “stuff”
5. Ask questions: what can I do without? Do I really need this latest gadget? Why do I want this? Where am I rich in my life <don’t compare your life to the wealthy>? Put these questions on a stickee attached to your credit cards and ask them before you buy something. <or print out the Wallet Buddy PDF which has questions to ask before buying>
6. Shop with a list and stay away from places that trigger impulse spending
7. Buy only the necessities for a month … use up food in your fridge, freezer and pantry
8. Get creative: make a list of free fun things to do
Make it a game … challenge yourself to find new ways to simplify your life and spending. Realize that less stuff means less to take care of and less stress.
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