I’m writing this post while watching the Suze Orman show, and I must say that the timing of both is quite perfect. Before the last commercial break, Suze ended with the quote that’s the title of this post: “Excuses aren’t valid anymore.” When I heard this, it really hit home.
I’ve been working on various goals throughout this year, but I’ve been discounting the fact that my miscellaneous spending is still a bit too out of control for my comfort level. I need to make some serious, permanent changes. I know this will take time, and I want to be patient because making lasting change is much more important to me than a few random months of “good” numbers. Here are a few things I’m mulling over in order to get myself closer to this most epic goal:
- A clothing spending ban
- Cooking more at home
- Setting a grocery budget & sticking to it!
- Biking to work to save on commuting costs
- Cut back on social outings that require $$–re-vamp these to include free activites
- Be my own cheerleader–speak up to those in my life about my choice to cut back on spending
Stay tuned for more details!
It's a great quote! Good luck…finding balance is the hardest thing
I'd recommend not doing everything on your list all at once… but slowly adding in one or two of those frugal cut backs will help bring your luxury spending in line. Total deprivation doesn't work because you end up splurging all at once because you feel trapped by not allowing yourself anything.Maybe set a limit at a certain amount every month to spend on whatever… dinners out, clothes, or special non sale grocery items and treats… When that money is gone– your done. This way you will get to enjoy your indulgences and not feel guilty.
Thanks, ladies! I agree with the small changes one by one. I plan to detail my approach in a subsequent posts. Happy to see support along the way, so please continue to chime in when you see fit!
I like the ideas of biking to work (assuming you live a reasonable distance and in a reasonable climate/weather) and cooking more at home. These are "positive" things that you add to your life.Saying "no" to friends and outings that cost money might make you feel deprived or feel like you're missing out. Saying "yes" to cooking more at home or suggesting free/cheap outings will make you feel like you're embarking on a great cooking adventure, or exploring the local park — it's the opposite of deprivation.
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