Well, 2009 has proved to be the most life-altering year I can remember except for when Tony went to Iraq. Life throws these mind blowing experiences at us. Then we are supppose to walk away with new ideas on how to live and somehow be a better a person from it. I must be a saint, because this year was down right painful in many aspects, and I am learning heaps as the Aussies say.
The biggest impact was going from a two-salaried family to a one-salaried family. I won't lie, I still pout when I go out shopping and can't get what I want, or we can't go out to eat 10 times a week versus the one or two times we dine out currently. What a heck of a lesson to swallow. But, here is what I have learned.
The other day I made a list of all the fun things I want to do here in Australia that cost little to nothing. Then I made a list of high dollar activities I am interested in. Get this. My frugal money list was about 36 items long. My big money list was three items long. Interesting. Practically all of my items on my "free" list were mostly physically oriented with several mentally challenging activities as well. My mad money list was mostly about travelling further distances and staying in better accomodations. Snob-a-rella!
Another interesting observation I found was neither list was about shopping or acquiring materialistic items. WHOA NELLY! Who have I become? I can't believe it. I am finally at place where shoes, purses, and clothes have little meaning to me other than to cover my naked body, well, because it is the law!!!
Another observation seems to be I spend very little time fretting about money. I don't stress out about making the next dollar to cover my desires. My current desires all seem to be experientially based and not about accumulation. This is huge for this big-time, instant gratification girl. Is it cognitive dissonance? Maybe. But, I could go out and find a big business girl job, but then I would be going backwards to that crazy buying/spending cycle. Oh, no thank you very much.
How do you get back to basics? How do you experience life versus gathering stuff in it? Here is what I can suggest (Hint: You already know this!):
1) I really use the library. I don't buy magazines anymore and just read them at library. I also get books, cds, and dvds! It can all be done on-line except for the picking up and dropping off part!!
2) Look for cheap places to buy gas on-line. Here in Adelaide, Wednesday is the cheapest day to buy. You can also bring a coupon code from the bottom of your grocery receipt and save an additional 4 cents!
3) Cook at home more and/or bring your lunch. Really, it just takes a bit more planning. Not only is it cheaper, but way more healthier as well. Currently, Tuesday night is date night for us and instead of going out to dinner we each pick a country and then cook a dish from the area....Indian Food night was this past Tuesday! Get your recipes on-line or from the library!
4) Grow your own food in containers! You don't have to grow everything, but choose a few items your family commonnly eats. For us, it is tomatoes and peppers. All of our herbs from our container garden as well. It is cheap, healthy, and organic! I am exploring lettuces this year!
5) Ride your bike, walk, bus, or carpool once a week to work. Not only will you save money, but oh my, the experiences you will have on your journey!
6) Throw away five things a day. Clearing the clutter will allow you to attract new and more interesting things in your life.
7) Plan your meals and shop by the list. JUST DO THIS ONE!
8) This one is painful. Stop smoking and/or reduce your alcohol intake. GULP. Just add up what you spend on either, or worse both, of these items and see what you get.
9) Review your auto, home, health, life, and any other insurance you have NOW and see what can be clipped away.
10) Review your cable bill and cut one thing. You can save over $200 annually immediately.
Pick one of the above or a couple. Don't try it. Just do it. My biggest learning lesson of 2009: I cannot be happy if I am attached to stuff, things, too much convenience, and being overly comfortable. The thing about being overly comfortable is when change hits you are less likely to adapt to the changes. Resilience is where it is at man. The quicker the emotional reovery from the changes, the quicker you can get on with your life.
Bring on the simple life!
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