School’s back in session here in the Royal Saving Academy. It’s time to get serious about our studies, get your highlighter ready and pull out a notebook to brainstorm because we’re going to get all scholarly about saving money, Lords and Ladies.
I often get asked by folks who are wanting to make their lives a bit more frugal where to even begin. I think we (the Queen included) can get so overwhelmed with the many ways available to save that we quickly begin to try to do EVERYTHING we can to save money – we clip coupons, plant a garden, make our own household cleaners, pack the lunches, repurpose items, regift items, freezer cook for 60 days, sew clothes, make our own greeting cards, build our own furniture, work out at home, and and and and ok, I think you get the idea. We burn brightly for a short period of time and then . . . then we burn out, return to old habits of eating out, overspending, and being mindless with our finances.
And yet, we’ve talked before in Frugal 101 about how the best changes to make – the ones that really last – are Two Degree Turns. After awhile, these small, realistic, subtle changes add up to a much bigger things. Whether it’s eating well, managing your clutter (gah, I am so bad at this!), using coupons, or balancing the checkbook, your biggest and most successful victories come from initial small changes. And once you’ve mastered one small change, then you can add another, then another, and before you know it you’re a money saving maniac (and a consistent one at that).
So I’m beginning a series of Frugal Living 101 Posts called a “A Few of My Favorite Frugal Things,” filled with simple quick tips that can improve your finances and your life. This week, simply three different resources to check out if you’re looking for where to begin saving money.
1) If you haven’t already, read the book The Total Money Makeover. by Dave Ramsey This was the beginning of the beginning for us. We realized that we didn’t want to live a life that revolved around payments – always owing someone something. I honestly can’t remember if we began listening to Dave Ramsey first or found the book first (kind of like the whole chicken and the egg debate, it doesn’t really matter since they kind of reinforce each other). Estimated time to begin a new life through reading the book = 2 hours.
2) Get a subscription to All You Magazine (or pick up a copy in store to check it out). You can only purchase this magazine to my knowledge at Walmart or occasionally Dollar General. It’s not only filled with great tips on saving money, living healthfully and beautifully, but it also is chockfull of coupons. Basically it’s a magazine that more than pays for itself. Plus, it’s fun. In store it retails for $2.49 but right now on Amazon, you can get it at about $1.66/issue. It’s great light reading has quick and easy tips (kind of like the 2 Degree Differences we’ve been talking about) to save money over the long haul. I think what I love about this magazine the most is the “real”-ness of it. The models look like people I know, the ideas are EASY (you don’t have to be a master chef, a master crafter, a master gardner to take on the recipes, projects, or ideas), it doesn’t usually make me want stuff like other magazines do, and it’s still entertaining and helpful. Estimated time reading/clipping coupons from All You = 1 hour (probably broken up over 15 minute periods).
3) Watch Better TV. No, I don’t mean turn off Oprah (although in the long run, that’s probably a good tip at least the majority of the time). I’m referring to the great TV Show put out by Better Homes and Garden called Better.tv. Look for a local listing or just snuggle up with your computer and watch clips online. There’s a great series called Save More, Waste Less on there right now (as in save more money, time, and natural resources and waste less of those same things and *um* bonus points if you can figure out who the corporate sponsor was for that one). Estimated time to learn a few new tips = 30 minutes for the entire show or each segment runs around 2 minutes and you can pick and choose only what applies to you.
So now you have homework. I challenge you to choose one of these three options this week and check ’em out. Basic ways to save money that you can apply without a huge upheaval or overhaul of your life or finances.
www.queenoffree.net
Thanks for sharing all of your helpful tips. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much Lady Jackie. I know you can work frugal circles all around me so I’m thankful for such a high compliment! 🙂
Thanks so much Lady Jackie. I know you can work frugal circles all around me so I’m thankful for such a high compliment! 🙂