It’s Back to School Time Students, time to pull out your brand new pencils, breathe deep that new desk and notebook smell, and learn a little more about how to live more frugally.
I once heard an author speak about the kind of changes that really make an impact in our lives. He described the most effective shifts in behavior as Two Degree Differences. That is to say, we can’t necessarily make 30, 40, 50, or definitely not 180 degree turns and have those changes stick. When we think about this concept through the lens of frugality, most of us realize that you can’t go from never using coupons to saving $50+ in coupons overnight. It takes awhile to learn the system, collect and organize coupons, and put strategy into action.
So if you’ve recently decided to make a switch to living a bit more simply and are seeking to make changes in your finances, you have to realize that as much as you want to make a huge change, you’d be better served by making a few simple and easy changes. It’s that whole philosophy of biting off more than you can chew that makes it too difficult to achieve, setting you up for failure.
I’ve been thinking a lot and talking a lot about unrealistic expectations lately. It seems when we set ourselves up to be like someone else or do things the way someone else does, we end up in the dumps and with a failed project or perception of what we’re to be or do. It’s much better to attempt to live frugally one baby step (or two degree difference) at a time rather than deciding you’re going to make a drastic change that you can’t live up to just yet.
So today, I thought I’d share a few Two Degree Turns, easy ways to save money and make a difference so that you can change your world one penny at a time.
- Don’t say, “We’re never eating out again.” or “We won’t eat out for a year.”, especially if you are used to eating out on a daily or weekly basis. Instead set a one week goal. Once you meet it, re-evaluate and decide if you’d like to keep on trucking. Maybe you want to celebrate making it a week by a inexpensive meal out. Or maybe you’ll decide it was so worthwhile you’d like to go another week (or reduce this to a day by day sort goal).
- Take a look at Vocalpoint’s “Surprises.” Readers share their favorite quick and easy money saving tip. For instance one woman shares that she cuts off the top and the bottom of the toothpaste to get more out of each tube. Another reader shares the idea of using your dryer sheet to clean out your lint trap after each use (I’ve also heard they make great Swiffer dust mop pads). A third person suggests using the handy magnets you get on a phone book or in the mail (the flat kind that service businesses often pass out) to display your child’s artwork on your fridge by simply dabbing some glue on the artwork or photos, attaching them directly to the magnet.
- Call your cable internet company and ask them to switch you to the best plan that they have available right now. Many are very willing to do this if you only ask. Once the plan increases, call again. It takes five minutes out of your life but can save you upwards of $20 a month.
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