This is fascinating and enlightening...and makes me want to buy less stuff. Which is frugal, good for the earth, and makes my life more simple. Watch it.
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
Monday, May 24, 2010
Why Seek Financial Peace?
I recently finished Dave Ramsey's class, Financial Peace University at my church. I have mixed feelings about Mr. Ramsey, but the last one was really good, and I did learn some things from the whole series. The final class focused on living like no one else (getting out of debt, investing 15% of your income into retirement accounts, paying off your home early) so that later you can give like no one else.
This made me think about why I want to be out of debt. Besides the obvious of having more freedom with my money and being able to have security, it encouraged me to think bigger. If I have all my debts paid off, including (eventually) a house, what would I be able to do? Of course I'd like to travel and have fun, but in the long run, what do I want to do that matters?
I want to adopt and take in foster kids someday. This is a high priority in my life, and one that costs money. When I think of my future family, I know I want it to involve kids that need a home.
I want to give generously to charities. I have a few charities that I support here and there, but I'd like to be able to donate larger amounts to make a difference in charities doing great things both here and internationally. I could also see myself helping to run a non-profit someday, if I am able to stop working someday.
I want to be able to take care of family and friends. I want to be able to help my mom out if need be. To help my family and friends with their needs, and to be able to make a difference in their lives.
That's what this is all about. On days when I really want to go clothes shopping, or think it's not that big of a deal to be in debt, I want to think of what debt can keep me from in the future. I need to remember what I can do if I am financially responsible. At the end of my life, I can be proud of those accomplishments-much more so than I would be of a pair of shoes.
This made me think about why I want to be out of debt. Besides the obvious of having more freedom with my money and being able to have security, it encouraged me to think bigger. If I have all my debts paid off, including (eventually) a house, what would I be able to do? Of course I'd like to travel and have fun, but in the long run, what do I want to do that matters?
I want to adopt and take in foster kids someday. This is a high priority in my life, and one that costs money. When I think of my future family, I know I want it to involve kids that need a home.
I want to give generously to charities. I have a few charities that I support here and there, but I'd like to be able to donate larger amounts to make a difference in charities doing great things both here and internationally. I could also see myself helping to run a non-profit someday, if I am able to stop working someday.
I want to be able to take care of family and friends. I want to be able to help my mom out if need be. To help my family and friends with their needs, and to be able to make a difference in their lives.
That's what this is all about. On days when I really want to go clothes shopping, or think it's not that big of a deal to be in debt, I want to think of what debt can keep me from in the future. I need to remember what I can do if I am financially responsible. At the end of my life, I can be proud of those accomplishments-much more so than I would be of a pair of shoes.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Mid-month Budget Check-In
I am really trying to stick to my budget this month-it's been in the adjusting phase for the past few months, since I've been trying to figure out how much I need to spend. Before this, I just sort of spent blindly, crossing my fingers that I'd have enough. That seems crazy now! I am certainly not perfect about my budget, but to not even plan it out...that stresses me out just thinking about it.
This month I made both my eating/drinking out budget and my grocery budget a little smaller, based on last month's totals. The eating out is going really well. I still have $93.55 left in cash, and I have a cheap weekend coming up (free work dinner and drinks, roommate's birthday, which I budgeted separately, and then the LOST finale on Sunday.) This is the area that's usually the most difficult, but I feel really good about where I'm at with this one!
On the flip side, I don't know if I can stay under budget for my groceries this month. Part of it is that I have been forgoing eating out, so I spend more. Also, I am really tired of my go-to cheap bulk recipes. They're good, but I've just eaten them a little too often. So, I bought groceries that I can't stretch as far. Also, I needed TP, shampoo, and toothpaste this month, all of which came out of my grocery budget, and none of which are expenses every month. As of now I have $46.32 left for groceries this month (until June 4th, my next payday). I think it's doable if I do some very strategic planning and have discipline.
What parts of your budget are the most difficult for you to stick to?
This month I made both my eating/drinking out budget and my grocery budget a little smaller, based on last month's totals. The eating out is going really well. I still have $93.55 left in cash, and I have a cheap weekend coming up (free work dinner and drinks, roommate's birthday, which I budgeted separately, and then the LOST finale on Sunday.) This is the area that's usually the most difficult, but I feel really good about where I'm at with this one!
On the flip side, I don't know if I can stay under budget for my groceries this month. Part of it is that I have been forgoing eating out, so I spend more. Also, I am really tired of my go-to cheap bulk recipes. They're good, but I've just eaten them a little too often. So, I bought groceries that I can't stretch as far. Also, I needed TP, shampoo, and toothpaste this month, all of which came out of my grocery budget, and none of which are expenses every month. As of now I have $46.32 left for groceries this month (until June 4th, my next payday). I think it's doable if I do some very strategic planning and have discipline.
What parts of your budget are the most difficult for you to stick to?
Monday, May 17, 2010
Updated Status Bars
I actually did some adjusting to my status bars (tracking my goals on right side of page). I originally put my student loan and car totals from the day I made the status bar. But in actuality, I have paid off much more of those debts than I was giving myself credit for. And in the marathon of debt repayment, I wanted credit for it! So, both of those totals now reflect the original totals, meaning my progress is much higher. It's much nicer to see that I've paid off 62% of my car loan and 38% of my student loans than it was to see 14% and 1.5%. :) Make me feel like I accomplished something today.
I also have started planning for getting my car paid off after the credit cards. My goal is by the end of 2011 (if not sooner!). I am hating my consumer debt more and more...and I am getting closer everyday. Today, because I am making myself dinner before I go to watch the playoff game (or, more accurately, socialize at a bar while the game is on) instead of eating at the pub. Yes, I will still buy a beer, but I am saving at least ten bucks today. Every good choice is one step closer to my goals. This has dissolved into me doing affirmations. I am going to stop now.
I also have started planning for getting my car paid off after the credit cards. My goal is by the end of 2011 (if not sooner!). I am hating my consumer debt more and more...and I am getting closer everyday. Today, because I am making myself dinner before I go to watch the playoff game (or, more accurately, socialize at a bar while the game is on) instead of eating at the pub. Yes, I will still buy a beer, but I am saving at least ten bucks today. Every good choice is one step closer to my goals. This has dissolved into me doing affirmations. I am going to stop now.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Accidental Savings
In a previous post I mentioned that not all of my extra hours made it onto my paycheck for this month. Thankfully, I got the paystub saying that an extra $152 was deposited into my account this morning. I went online to check it out and saw that only $52 had been desposited in my checking account. I was confused until I remembered that my direct deposit is set up so that $100 from each of my paychecks is deposited into my savings account. Sure enough, I am $100 closer to Dave Ramsey's Baby Step 1: $1,000 in an emergency fund. (I am taking the slow route with that to more aggressively pay off my debt.)
Looking at my budget, I may need to pull some of that $100 out at the end of the month, but for now I am going to let it sit in there. The interest rate is higher, and I really should have more in my emergency fund, so if I can keep it in there, all the better. We shall see...
Looking at my budget, I may need to pull some of that $100 out at the end of the month, but for now I am going to let it sit in there. The interest rate is higher, and I really should have more in my emergency fund, so if I can keep it in there, all the better. We shall see...
Keep it Simple
In my quest to become more frugal and to save money, I am coming around to the idea of living simply as well. To me, living simply means not keeping a lot of items that I don't need in my house. I not only buy less, but I can hopefully eliminate clutter and junk from my house.
In that vein, I am going to share three of my ideas for reducing clutter in the hopes that you, dear blog readers, can share your own brilliant ideas for keeping it simple and clean.
1. Pick-up 25 things every night before bed.
I think I got this one from Real Simple, but every night before I go to sleep I pick up and put away/throw away 25 things. I've been doing this for a few weeks (and okay, I've missed a night or two), and I really like it. On a lazy night, my shoes and socks count as four items, but even then it makes me pick up my stuff out of the living room, throw away mail, and put clothes away in my closet. On a good night, I sometimes do more than 25, but no matter what I wake up to a house that's a little cleaner.
2. Clean out your car at the gas station
Everytime I get gas, without exception, I go through my car and throw away any trash that's in there. I know some people are better than me and bring in their trash and throw it away everyday. But, if you're like me sometimes it stacks up. And since there is a trash can right next to the gas pump, and I'm just standing there waiting, it's the perfect time to clean out my car. When my car is clean, it improves my quality of life. Seriously. This has also made it less embarrassing when someone wants to ride in my car. I am not apologizing as I chuck things into the back seat so they have someplace to sit.
3. Minimize
This one is a work in progess for me. Do I really need three body washes in my shower? Nope. Two different types of shaving cream? Nope. About seven different perfume bottles? Six bottles of lotion? Two kinds of eye cream? I don't know how I accumulate all this stuff, but I am trying to focus on using up the stuff I have and then keeping only what I need on hand. Which means one body wash, shaving cream, and eye cream. I have decided to narrow down the perfume to Clinique's Happy, Philosophy's Amazing Grace, and Juicy Coutoure's perfume (for going out). The rest I am going to use up or just get rid of. The lotion? I wear perfume, so I really just need one unscented bottle in my room. That's it. Yes, I will keep replacements of body wash and shaving cream in my cupboard, but no more than one at a time and not all in the shower. I am thinking of it as having signature scents/products, but really I am just looking forward to having less bottles around my house and in my shower.
So those are my three ideas. Now, tell me yours! How do you live simply and keep clutter out of your life?
In that vein, I am going to share three of my ideas for reducing clutter in the hopes that you, dear blog readers, can share your own brilliant ideas for keeping it simple and clean.
1. Pick-up 25 things every night before bed.
I think I got this one from Real Simple, but every night before I go to sleep I pick up and put away/throw away 25 things. I've been doing this for a few weeks (and okay, I've missed a night or two), and I really like it. On a lazy night, my shoes and socks count as four items, but even then it makes me pick up my stuff out of the living room, throw away mail, and put clothes away in my closet. On a good night, I sometimes do more than 25, but no matter what I wake up to a house that's a little cleaner.
2. Clean out your car at the gas station
Everytime I get gas, without exception, I go through my car and throw away any trash that's in there. I know some people are better than me and bring in their trash and throw it away everyday. But, if you're like me sometimes it stacks up. And since there is a trash can right next to the gas pump, and I'm just standing there waiting, it's the perfect time to clean out my car. When my car is clean, it improves my quality of life. Seriously. This has also made it less embarrassing when someone wants to ride in my car. I am not apologizing as I chuck things into the back seat so they have someplace to sit.
3. Minimize
This one is a work in progess for me. Do I really need three body washes in my shower? Nope. Two different types of shaving cream? Nope. About seven different perfume bottles? Six bottles of lotion? Two kinds of eye cream? I don't know how I accumulate all this stuff, but I am trying to focus on using up the stuff I have and then keeping only what I need on hand. Which means one body wash, shaving cream, and eye cream. I have decided to narrow down the perfume to Clinique's Happy, Philosophy's Amazing Grace, and Juicy Coutoure's perfume (for going out). The rest I am going to use up or just get rid of. The lotion? I wear perfume, so I really just need one unscented bottle in my room. That's it. Yes, I will keep replacements of body wash and shaving cream in my cupboard, but no more than one at a time and not all in the shower. I am thinking of it as having signature scents/products, but really I am just looking forward to having less bottles around my house and in my shower.
So those are my three ideas. Now, tell me yours! How do you live simply and keep clutter out of your life?
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Nobody Walks in LA
If you are an astute reader, you may have noticed that I am behind on my goal to have 100 No Drive Days this year. I started strong but a couple of issues got in the way. First, one of my carpool buddies had a baby. Jeez, how inconsiderate of her. Just kidding. My other carpool buddy broke his hand and has had many doctor's appointments. He's also buying a house, so he's had some days where he can't carpool because he has meetings with his realtor right after school.
Anyway, Monday was my first No Drive Day in almost a month. :/ Not great. I need to try to rack up more of these. However, looking at the rest of my week, I don't think I will get one in agan until the last week of the month (it's my turn to drive for the carpool next week, and both weekends have activities I have to drive to).
I am still determined to reach my goal. I need to see who I can carpool to work with for summer school, or else it will be really difficult to reach 100 days. I could take the bus at some point, but I don't know how cost effective that would really be. Mostly because I have no idea how much the bus costs. Perhaps I should research that...
Anyway, Monday was my first No Drive Day in almost a month. :/ Not great. I need to try to rack up more of these. However, looking at the rest of my week, I don't think I will get one in agan until the last week of the month (it's my turn to drive for the carpool next week, and both weekends have activities I have to drive to).
I am still determined to reach my goal. I need to see who I can carpool to work with for summer school, or else it will be really difficult to reach 100 days. I could take the bus at some point, but I don't know how cost effective that would really be. Mostly because I have no idea how much the bus costs. Perhaps I should research that...
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