Here’s my little Happy New Year gift to you. Each day in January, I’ll bring you a simple, concrete and easy to put in place tip to fuel your efforts to Save Money, Pay Off Debt, and Be Awesome this year. Looking for a quick plan? Well this might not to be the right place for you. Most things done well take time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t begin to implement systems in your life that will help you achieve your goals. I’ve said it many, many times before. Paying off debt isn’t complex. It’s just not easy. You have to punch the clock daily and do the hard work. Here’s another way to make that happen.
Day 27: Don’t Tell Me You’re Already Doing Everything You Can
I so love receiving e-mails from Money Saving Lords and Ladies, looking for ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth & Save Money. Call me a Money Hacker if you will, I want to find a way to save on nearly anything. I consider it a high calling and a divine challenge to see if we can reduce your spending to help you whack away at debt.
There is one key phrase that makes me prickle in an e-mail requesting help though. It’s these seven simple words. “We’re already doing everything that we can.” Whether they are spoken or written, I automatically push back anytime someone chooses to use these words with me. Before you think me to be heartless or you say “No, but really, we are already doing everything let we can,” let me explain why.
If you truly are doing everything you already can, can you please tell me why you are e-mailing me? Because obviously, you do not really want or need my help. You’ve got it all figured out. From time to time, we all need someone to share our journey and commiserate. I get that. I have felt that pang of “me, too.” before. However, if you begin from a place of being unteachable or unmovable, if you have already made up your mind that nothing else can be done, no manner of advice or encouragement I dole out will be enough. I also always ponder e-mails like these (especially when I see they’ve been sent from a smart phone at the bottom), if this is really a true statement. Because unless you’re e-mailing me from the library or someone else’s phone, I doubt you’ve done everything that you can do.
Here’s my truth, straight from the family who did all sorts of crazy things like giving up restaurants completely, making our own household cleaners, and not even eating meat during the last 4 months of our debt slaying journey. We didn’t and don’t do everything we can do. We might not have cable, but we still have Netflix ($7.99/month). It could easily be cut to make way for financial goals. We don’t drink Starbucks daily but we do drink coffee. That $3.99 bag of Fair Trade from ALDI could stay on the shelf and we could drink water instead. We don’t keep our thermostat set at 72, but it’s still pretty toasty in here. We could certainly dial that badboy down 3 or 4 more degrees. I still make impulse buys at the grocery store. Fruits or veggies occasional go bad before we use them. Yesterday, we went out for lunch without a coupon (gasp!). There are always areas where we could improve. There are always ways to reduce spending. Unless you are reading this post from a van with no electricity (which might be pretty tricky), I’m guessing you have something, even if it is minor and doesn’t effect immediate change in this instance, that you could stop.
Certainly there are plenty of you living as simply as possible. There are plenty of you reducing your lifestyle. However, those Lords and Ladies who I know who have been successful at paying off debt are those who are always looking for another way to save, another sacrifice to make, another temporary blessing to give up for a long term goal. Yes, it will take creativity. And of course there will be many times when those sacrifices feel overwhelming, unfair, and downright awful. It’s ok to acknowledge all of the above. However, just don’t reel out the “We’re already doing everything that we can.” without contemplating what you’re really saying. Because as soon as those words trip out of your lips, you’re more likely to give up on paying off debt all together. It will seem too insurmountable, impossible, and difficult. Change your thinking to “What else can we do?” instead. The simple mindset switch will help you successfully Kick Debt in the Teeth.
Have you missed other 31 Ways Posts? Check out:
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Keep Excellent Records
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Pray
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Don’t Quit Even When You’re Weary
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Shop at ALDI
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: No More Excuses
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Knock Off the Pity Party
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Stop Freaking Out!
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: You Can’t Buy From Every Fundraiser
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: It’s an Emergency!
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Clean Your Room!
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Be Careful the Company You Keep
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Visualize Victory
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Get Your Coupon On
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Work It
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in The Teeth: Move It
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Communicate with Your Spouse
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Set Limits
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Dream On
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Quit Eating at Restaurants
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Read a Book, Why Don’t Ya?
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: Change Your Mind About Budgeting
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth in 2014: Plan Yo’ Meals
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth in 2014: Use CA$H
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth in 2014: Sell, Baby, Sell
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth in 2014: Stop It
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth in 2014: Introduction
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I’m so looking forward to sharing this month of challenge and inspiration with you. Together, we can show debt who’s boss and give it a swift kick in the teeth this January and throughout the year in 2014. Away we go!
Gain inspiration to pay off debt! Check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
This post contains affiliate links. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
Everyone I know, especially my husband, teases me for not having a smart phone and using an old flip phone. I don’t care! My response is that it works fine, so why spend the money for a smart phone? It is not a necessity, it is a “want”, and I don’t want it badly enough to spend that kind of money! Yes, I proudly admit I’m frugal:-)