Simple Ideas to Save Money Part 2

1. Do not buy anything new. Make a list of what you are looking for and keep it on you and then hit the yard sales, thrift stores, and antique stores. Items are often so much cheaper that you will be shocked. Used does not mean trashed, not working, or in poor condition. We have been conditioned as a society to be consumers, and to be a good consumer, we have been indoctrinated to buy new. This is why we are a nation of people who are deep in DEBT. Another reason to buy used is that the item may not have been made by an exploding China, desperate to meet America's purchasing needs. What chemicals are in the items you purchase? China cheats to make items because they can and don't have the watchdogs we have in our nation, and they supply our biggest store with everything.

2. Reassess who you are as a person. Are you defined by what you buy? Are you worried what others will think because you are in a thrift store? Do you think that you will be considered poor, or cheap because you buy secondhand?? This is a big one, as even if you have money, buying new is crazy. Anyone who has purchased a new vehicle understands the incredible loss of value of the car the moment you drive off the auto lot.

3. Organize your tool shed, your supplies, and where you keep things. Organizing and being neat reduces purchases- because you can find the item you are looking for. How many times have you bought another tool because you could not find it? How often have you bought something at the grocery because you could not remember if you have it at home.

4. Make time for yourself- take up a simple hobby that cost no money but allows you to have some down time. For example, make a list of books that you would like to read, pick one up at the library and sit down and read. Learning to relax in ways that require no outside stimulation- bowling, movies, vacation, golfing, etc- is very important because the need to be entertained is a huge problem with our society. We cannot slow down and relax. We feel inadequate if we are not keeping up with the Jones' even in our play time. Do not think that 4 -wheelers and off road vehicles is a break either. Slow down, slow down, slow down- this will take time, but eventually you will learn that relaxing is all about reducing your heart rate and having down time...not filling up your free time with activities.

5. Cancel all magazine subscriptions, newspapers and other book/CD/DVD clubs that you belong to. This is another area of waste that is going to clutter your home and mind and reduce your money. As you are reading this, you can read the news on line. There are tremendous amounts of news organizations that are on every side of the political spectrum so you can keep up on the news. Magazines are a total waste- if you really need them wait one month past the date that it came out and go to the thrift store...and buy it for a dime. I would say not to buy it, but go to the library, as clutter is not the best. And for movies and music, how many is enough? Can you listen to all that you have now? Can you watch all that you have now? There is not enough time in your life to do everything that you should do anyhow...so stop this insanity now.

I will end my list for Part 2 here. This is a post about changing your perceptions. You are in control and need to stop the insanity.

(c) Double Nickel Farm
Jennifer