Watched a episode of Oprah today... I forget who her primary guest was but she put up a "challenge" for people to see if they can adjust to simplifying their lives on a day to day basis.
It's simple common sense household economics and with the way things are going it sounds like a damned good idea for many Americans (and Brits) to adopt.
Her challenge was this... and it's doing all three not just pick one.
1 day of NOT spending ANY money.
1 week of NOT using your credit card (on line or shopping or anything else)
1 month of NOT eating out in ANY restaurant (fast or otherwise).
The idea is to understand how much money is actually spent and saved by doing these things.
Oprah said that when she aired the show (the one I watched was a follow up) that afterwards she got many calls and letters from angry restaurant owners. :wink1: ... what does THAT say?
She also had interviews with several families who took another type of challenge... with their families.
No TV, games, computer for a week.
Cleaning out closets of ANY article of clothing that hasn't been used in TWO months or more.
Limiting the amount of toys that a child can play with.
Walking to school with the children (if possible.. distance/safety wise), AND walking to pick them up and walking back home with them.
1 or 2 nights a week where several hours are devoted to a family activity... without the use of TV (meaning no DVD movies)
Looking at the price tags of items in your fridge that you throw away because they spoil.
Counting the number of each item you have in your pantry and counting the money that could've been saved had you bought the item when it ran out instead of stocking up.
Accepting the fact that if you can't pay for it (without credit) then don't buy it.
And several other ideas which I invite the MT folks to add on to this thread.
It was said in the program a few times that people tend to shop/spend money to make themselves feel better rather than getting what they needed from the store(s). That they tend to ignore the price tags and forget about "comparison shopping" because they give in to the impulsive buying that our inner needs seeking to be met compels us to do... that and the barrage of advertising we are exposed to on a daily basis.
Being poor does have it's advantages (for me)... now that I've found a job (yay) after being unemployed for quite some time I already have long since curbed the instant gratification impulse that I sometimes find myself having. I've learned how to tell myself to "get it later, get it later, get-it-later!" A lot of times I go out "window shopping" see stuff that I'd like to have (want) and see stuff that I could get (need) when I can afford it. I memorize where/what store I saw whatever it is that caught my eye and promise myself later. Usually by the time I can afford it... I've forgotten all about it and that makes me understand that I really didn't need it in the first place. But if I DO remember the item and have the money then I realize that it was something that I actually did need as opposed to want... but not always... not always. Yet this does save me a TON of money.
I'd like to see if folks here would be willing to take those three challenges (above). Talk it over with your spouse (natch) and see if it's something you'd like to try out as a family experiment. Don't cave in when temptation strikes. It'll always be there next time... always. Ignore those damned "limited time offers"... experience should tell you that you'll see those things on the shelves near the bargian bins about two months down the road.
Any other money saving tips?
It's simple common sense household economics and with the way things are going it sounds like a damned good idea for many Americans (and Brits) to adopt.
Her challenge was this... and it's doing all three not just pick one.
1 day of NOT spending ANY money.
1 week of NOT using your credit card (on line or shopping or anything else)
1 month of NOT eating out in ANY restaurant (fast or otherwise).
The idea is to understand how much money is actually spent and saved by doing these things.
Oprah said that when she aired the show (the one I watched was a follow up) that afterwards she got many calls and letters from angry restaurant owners. :wink1: ... what does THAT say?
She also had interviews with several families who took another type of challenge... with their families.
No TV, games, computer for a week.
Cleaning out closets of ANY article of clothing that hasn't been used in TWO months or more.
Limiting the amount of toys that a child can play with.
Walking to school with the children (if possible.. distance/safety wise), AND walking to pick them up and walking back home with them.
1 or 2 nights a week where several hours are devoted to a family activity... without the use of TV (meaning no DVD movies)
Looking at the price tags of items in your fridge that you throw away because they spoil.
Counting the number of each item you have in your pantry and counting the money that could've been saved had you bought the item when it ran out instead of stocking up.
Accepting the fact that if you can't pay for it (without credit) then don't buy it.
And several other ideas which I invite the MT folks to add on to this thread.
It was said in the program a few times that people tend to shop/spend money to make themselves feel better rather than getting what they needed from the store(s). That they tend to ignore the price tags and forget about "comparison shopping" because they give in to the impulsive buying that our inner needs seeking to be met compels us to do... that and the barrage of advertising we are exposed to on a daily basis.
Being poor does have it's advantages (for me)... now that I've found a job (yay) after being unemployed for quite some time I already have long since curbed the instant gratification impulse that I sometimes find myself having. I've learned how to tell myself to "get it later, get it later, get-it-later!" A lot of times I go out "window shopping" see stuff that I'd like to have (want) and see stuff that I could get (need) when I can afford it. I memorize where/what store I saw whatever it is that caught my eye and promise myself later. Usually by the time I can afford it... I've forgotten all about it and that makes me understand that I really didn't need it in the first place. But if I DO remember the item and have the money then I realize that it was something that I actually did need as opposed to want... but not always... not always. Yet this does save me a TON of money.
I'd like to see if folks here would be willing to take those three challenges (above). Talk it over with your spouse (natch) and see if it's something you'd like to try out as a family experiment. Don't cave in when temptation strikes. It'll always be there next time... always. Ignore those damned "limited time offers"... experience should tell you that you'll see those things on the shelves near the bargian bins about two months down the road.
Any other money saving tips?
