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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 4/1/2009 10:12:41 AM
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| It IS possible to live on a budget and enjoy a healthy, fulfilling, and less stressed life. My parents no-frills lifestyle proved it, I carried on the ethic with my daughter, and I continue to live a good life safe in the knowledge that I am realtively unaffected by the current economic downturn. We've never been hungry, cold, or felt hard done by. In fact for generations past we were healthier mind, body and soul due to having far less refined foods, more exercise and a greater respect for what we did have and understanding and appreciations of our parent's love and sacrificies in providing for the family. It's my opinion that the key is to understand the difference between 'want' and 'need'. Sadly in this society it seems that the ability to diffrentiate has gone out the window. Its all 'take take' and 'I want it at all costs'. Is it any wonder things are as they are? I know I sound like a geriatric naysayer of the 'in my day' variety, but I am only 42. My dedication to living a good life with little, sharing whatever I have with others (and they with me), has been a lifelong commitment that has given me strength of character, and provided me with travel opportunities, the means to enjoy hobbies, raise a kind and contributing daughter I am immensely proud of, plus give of myself and my time to others less fortunate. I know I can rely upon myself and have a strong faith that my 'needs' will be provided for. So far my expectations have been well exceeded. So my tip for living well on a budget is - first learn to differentiate and then learn to live according to 'need' and you will truly enjoy the 'wants' when they come your way.
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 4/1/2009 11:47:26 AM
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| My tips for living well on a budget are pretty simple really (and I learnt them the hard way): Always take at least 24hrs to consider any purchase over $250 (that's my chosen $ amount...you choose the amount that works for you) The consideration process should include a couple of absolutes 1. Do we really need this item or simply want it? 2. Why do we need or want it? 3. Do we currently have another item that does the same or similar thing? 4. Do we have the CASH available for it...or will it add to our debt level? You'll be absolutely amazed (as I was) how this process alone will change your buying patterns..it doesn't mean you don't buy things...it simply means you're more aware of WHY you buy...
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Last Login: 5/11/2009 1:45:57 PM
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Living well on a budget means going back to the basics:
1. Use products such as lemon juice, bicarb and vinegar as staples for keeping your home clean - and keep the environment and your family well. So many of our cleaning products have high level toxins which are now attributable to cancer, asthma, eczema, migraines and skin irritations, not to mention the pollutants thrown down our drains and into the waterways!
2. Have a veggie and herb (organic) patch - remember the full rich taste of a home grown ripe tomato? Much better than the plastic versions in the supermarket. It is so inexpensive to grow your own herbs
3. Surround yourself by beautiful, indulgent things around your home - this way you don't feel you're missing out. Scented candles, oil burners, fresh flowers, bright colours and beautiful fabrics.
4. Give your partner a massage and get one back - start with a scalp massage one night, move onto a foot massage another night, and if you can, go for the full body on Saturday night :-)
5. Learn to mend your own clothes - there is something meditative and satisfying about repairing worn socks, sewing on buttons.
6. Start a book swapping club with your friends - if you are an avid reader, this can cost a lot of dollars. Buy 1 book every month and swap with another friend.
7. Buy non-perishables in bulk when they are on special - toilet paper, tissues, detergent - splurge at the times they are on sale and not only do you save big bucks over the year, but you also save shopping time.
8. Learn to barter with family and friends - if you love kids, offer to babysit in return for handy work or lawn mowing; help someone with their budget in return for some sewing...
9. Spend more time doing activities that do not cost much - visit museums, local parks, historic homes, the beach, the mountains, rent a dvd, go to the movies on Tuesdays (usually a low price night)
10. Bring your own lunch - not just any lunch - cook up a storm on the weekend and bring a home cooked meal to work. You can save as much as $10 a day on a cooked lunch
LifeLearner
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 4/4/2009 9:49:22 PM
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My advice is to put 'shopping' back into context. Stripped of its mysterious allure, shopping is simply how we obtain necessities, like fresh vegetables and walking shoes. It is not really a valid hobby, unless you're Paris Hilton.
I find that living well on a budget is a constant process of turning our thoughts towards the gentle art of creative recycling. When we re-frame 'going without' as an opportunity to get inventive, the motivation to achieve our goals really sets in and we begin to enjoy the simplicity of our approach. Who DOESN'T prefer a gift that is hand-made with love ? Who DOESN'T prefer to eat fresh from the garden ? Who DOESN'T enjoy saying "Thanks, I'm glad you like it~ I made it myself" ? Who DOESN'T prefer a home-cooked lunch to enjoy during the working day ? These opportunities for added pleasure are literally endless and we need to seize them each day.
Because I only buy what I need, I have money leftover to save for a larger purchase or to spend on a special treat. With practice, donating money to a worthy cause becomes far more rewarding than spending it on things we don't actually need. I believe the happy budgeters among us have the most contented lifestyles of all. A $7 magazine will keep us entertained for a month or more !
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 4/1/2009 6:47:36 PM
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| My best piece of advice is meal planners. I do meal plans each week for dinners, and make a list of everything I need. i used to wander aimlessley grabbing whatever off the shelves and wouldnt end up with anything to make a full meal with, this was I get everything I need in one shop and leave the need to dash to the dairy for extras behind. I always cook extra for lunches the next day and make sure I have reusable containers to pack them into lunch sized meals for my husband, my daughter and I and a small portion for our babies dinner the next night which also means we dont need to buy expensive commercial baby foods. Doing this Ive found we still eat good qaulity, yummy food but for half the price of what we were spending (considering we bought lunches on top of our grocery spend each week!) I also never go to the supermarket without a list of everything I need. Also a vege garden is a great investment....plant in season and you'll have fresh veges and fruit (which taste better then store bought!) all year round...also great for the kids if you have them, it encourages them to be healthy because they love to eat what they have grown.
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 4/14/2009 11:17:39 AM
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| Evenings in with the family having fun and playing games, carpet picnics and talking. This is great for family bonding and good for the pocket.
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 5/23/2010 3:29:01 PM
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| "Change your thoughts and you change your world!" 'Believe' that you can have a happy, fulfilling, wonderful life even on a budget. Its all about the way you look at things....glass half full, glass half empty! Make a list of whats important to you...love, happiness and health and then work from there! Love is free, Happiness is free, Health....well, get out and walk....its free!
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 4/15/2009 12:08:26 AM
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Walking to work is great. Not only does it save on transportation costs but it also helps you get fit! Give those pricey gym memberships the flick and start walking!
I may sound old school but card or board games are awesome..hours of fun for the whole family! Even a Wii is good (which also goes back to my first point of giving the gym the flick!).
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 7/12/2010 4:15:11 PM
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This is a very good topic on this thread and i think it is all depends upon yourselves totally and completely that how you want to live your life and in which way and you can change your lifestyle if you have a wish and a spark in yourself to get or achieve something in your life and you can also save your money if you have no extra lust of money in yourself and you are leading a simple and a frugal life and this is not a difficult task to save your hard earn and to live a better and a contented life for sure.
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Shenandoah bed and breakfast ~ Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind ~
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