Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

How To Save Money Without Feeling Deprived

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Tips To Cutting Expenses Without Cutting Your Happiness

When I tell people that I stick to a budget and like to be frugal, a negative reaction is fairly common. Many people view frugal living as an endless sacrifice and a million “no’s”, they often feel that it leads to a boring and unfulfilled life. I’m here to tell you that you CAN budget, save money and live frugally, while still living a life that makes you happy! Today I will tell you exactly how to save money without feeling deprived.

Step 1: Track Spending With Zero Judgement

The first step to living a frugal life while staying happy is to track your spending…..without judging yourself.

For one entire month you should write down every single thing that you spend money on. Big or small, write it down! Don’t try to change (this is where the no judging part comes in) your habits to make them look better on paper. We want an accurate representation of how you truly spend money.

If you would like a free spending tracker, grab it in my Free Budgeting Worksheets Bundle.

Step 2: Rate Your Spending On A Happiness Scale

Once the month is done, and you have written down everything that you bought it’s time for a quick Joy Audit.

This can be done by taking your list of expenses and rating everything you bought based on the level of happiness each purchase brought you. I recommend using a scale of 1 to 10.

Items on the lower end of the scale, such as #1, would be “why did I even buy this?” These would be purchases that you never really used after buying, or things didn’t add any value to your life.

The purchases on the higher end of the scale, would items that make your life better and happy and is used and enjoyed to the fullest! Personally, my Friday date nights would be a fit in this category!

Remember, this is a no guilt scale! We are just trying to reflect on spending and your own personal happiness levels.

Step 3: Cut Expenses With A Low Happiness Rating

Now that your Joy Audit is done, it’s time to start saving money without depriving ourselves of happiness!

In the frugal living world we talk a lot about cutting “non-essential” spending. But, if we focus on only our non-essential spending, it can often lead to cutting out a lot of purchases that bring us immense joy. Your happiness is important! Step 3 focuses on saving money while also staying happy.

Look through your tracked expenses and take note of all the non-essential purchases that ranked low on your happiness scale. I recommend anything that ranked between a 3-1. Now, make a decision to cut those low ranking purchases out of your budget moving forward.

Step 4: Find A Place For Your Extra Money

Now that you have found some extra cash in your budget, it’s time to use that money for something even more important……SAVINGS! I mean, that’s what I’m here for right? To help you save more money! So, this is how we are going to do it.

Look through some of your future saving goals, and current financial needs. Try to find somewhere in your budget that you could put the extra money you now have.

A few ways you might want to use your extra money could be:

  • Paying off debt: If you have debt that you’ve been trying to pay off, use this extra money to put towards that debt payment so that you can get it paid off sooner rather than later. Not sure how to start paying off your debt? Check out this article: How To Pay Off Debt With The Debt Snowball.
  • Growing your emergency fund: Do you have a fully funded emergency fund? If not, this extra money gives you the perfect opportunity to get one. Funnel your new found savings into your emergency fund, so that if anything unexpected occurs you won’t have to stress financially.
  • Saving for a big expense: You could also use this extra money to save for an upcoming big expense, such as buying a house, a car, or going on a vacation.

Your money goals will be unique to you and your situation! As long as it will help you progress further, and keep you happy, that’s what we are about!

Step 5: Make It A Habit

Let’s rehash shall we?

First we found some extra cash in your budget, and we didn’t have to sacrifice any of the things that make you most happy. Yay for that!

Next, we found some areas in our budget that we could use this extra cash for. Areas that will really help us prepare for our future and live a debt free life.

So, what’s next?

Well, now it’s time to make this new way of spending a habit! Personally, I’ve found that it’s really easy to start off strong in a new savings goal….but then slowly go back to my old habits.

I don’t want that to happen to you! To keep up with your new budget, I recommend going through this same process every 2-3 months. Continually looking through your expenses and ranking them on a happiness scale will help this mindset to stay in the forefront of your thoughts.

In Conclusion

I hope that this article was able to help you find some ways to save money without feeling deprived.

Remember, frugal living isn’t about living with less – it’s about living with more of what you love and less of what you don’t.

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You can save money without feeling deprived of your joy!

Ways You Are Wasting Money Without Realizing It

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Little ways you might accidentally be spending money

Do you ever look at your bank account at the end of a month and wonder, where did all of my hard earned money go?? You know you’ve been working hard all month, but somehow all of that money seems to fly out the window. It happens to most of us from time to time! Keep reading to learn a few ways you are wasting money, without even realizing it!

1. Using Plastic Bags

Do you have a habit of using plastic bags regularly? This can be a quick way to save leftovers, pack a lunch, or store random items.

However, those baggies can start to add up to some big spending. A cheaper option would be to use some tupperware or a reusable bag. True, the initial investment will be more pricey than your typical plastic bag, but the savings will add up over time. Not only is it good for the environment, it’s also good for your wallet!

2. Forgotten Subscriptions

It’s far to easy to sign up for subscriptions these days. There are just so many options, such as a new app or a few streaming services. With a simple click of a button we can have so many fun things at our disposal!

Unfortunately, it’s much easier to sign up for subscriptions than it is to cancel those same subscriptions! And the expenses can add up quickly!

I encourage you to take a few minutes to look through your expenses and find a few subscriptions to cancel. I’m betting that you can find a few that you don’t use very often.

3. Keeping Devices Plugged In

Did you know that keeping unused devices plugged in will cost you extra money in the long run?? It’s true! Even if you aren’t using a device, if it is plugged in it is still using phantom energy, and this costs you money. Try getting into the habit of unplugging anything and everything that you aren’t using, including phones, toasters, and all electronics.

4. Throwing Away Containers Before Emptying Them

We’ve all done it. We use up most (but not all) of what’s left in a ketchup bottle, or yogurt container, and then toss the container into the trash without a second thought.

A few years ago I made a goal to stop throwing away my *almost* empty containers. Honestly, I was shocked at how much food and product I had been wasting. When I started trying to use every last drop, the item was able to last so much longer than I had imagined.

Here are a few things that have helped me use every last drop:

  • Using a mini spatula to scrape out anything leftover in a container. These work great for scraping out leftovers in makeup or food jars! I use one regularly for my foundation and it lasts me an extra month than I had planned on!
  • Freezing leftover food in ice cube trays to pull out when needing a small amount.

5. Letting Food Expire

I honestly don’t want to admit the amount of food I regularly find hiding in the back of my fridge growing mold….it happens much more often then it should.

Allowing food to expire is another way that many of us (me included) lets money go down the drain.

According to a study in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, the average American household throws away approximately $1,866 amount of food each year. That’s a lot of money!

To prevent food waste try a few of the tips below:

  • Make a meal plan that revolves around ingredients you already have at home
  • Include a few meals in your meal plan that focuses on eating leftovers
  • Freeze your leftovers to reuse for another meal. Not sure what food can be frozen? Read this article: 19 Foods You Didn’t Know Could Be Frozen
  • Buy what you need and what you know you’ll eat, not what you “hope” you’ll eat
  • Check expiration dates regularly to make sure you use it up before it goes bad

6. Replacing an Item When It Breaks, Instead of Repairing It

Learning to make repairs on items something when they break, rather than immediately buying something new to replace it, will save you so much money throughout your life.

Here’s a list of things you could try to repair, instead of replace:

  • Socks
  • Sweaters
  • Window Screens
  • Lawn Mowers
  • Appliances
  • Power Tools
  • Stuffed Animals
  • Furniture

Obviously, there is so much more we could add to the list! But, hopefully these ideas will get you started. I love to watch YouTube videos to help me learn all the tips for making repairs.

7. Being A Name Brand Snob

Alright, I’ll admit it. I was once a name brand snob. I truly thought that i would only be happy with name brand purchases. That is, until I realized how much money I was wasting each and every day.

I slowly started branching out to more off brand items and realized that most of them taste just as good as the name brand version! Now, most of what I buy are off brand, and I have never looked back!

You will save so much money, and get just as good of product simply by switching the brand you are trying.

Not sure where to start, read my article: Off Brand Items That Are Just As Good As The Name Brand.

8. Paying For Convenience

Convenience is a slippery slope in the budget world. Paying for a little convenience here and there might look like small fees, but those small fees will add up over time and are a fast way to waste money without realizing you’re doing it.

A few examples of convenience fees you might be paying for are:

  • Pre cut produce at the grocery store
  • Grocery Delivery
  • DoorDash
  • Yard Work
  • Professional Cleaners
  • Meal Subscription Boxes

The next time you are tempted to spend a little extra on convenience, stop and ask yourself if it’s really worth the extra money, or if you have the time and ability to do the extra work yourself.

9. Ignoring Energy Usage

How close of attention do you pay to lights being left on in your home? I know at my house my kids LOVE to leave the basement light on when they leave for school, it feels like I’m constantly reminding them to turn off the lights. My kids don’t realize this, but every second the lights are on, we are spending money.

What about the heating and cooling of your house? Do you set the thermometer where it feels most comfortable and then forget about it? Or do you make the effort to adjust it for when you’ll be out of town, at night time in an effort to save money.

One of the more common ways we are all wasting our hard earned money is by ignoring our energy usage. All it takes is being diligent about turning lights off when not in use, adjusting your thermostat at night time or when you are out of town, and you will begin to see more money in your budget.

10. Using Paper Towels

Using paper towels to mop up spills is a quick way to waste money. Instead of grabbing a paper towel, try using a reusable dish cloth or rag. The savings in the long run is huge! And it’s better for the environment! Win! Win!

11. Ignoring Freebies

Do you know of all the freebies out there? Cause there are TONS! So we all better be using them! When you ignore freebies you are wasting a chance at saving some money and falling into the trap of wasting money without realizing it.

You can find a plethora of freebies a lot of different ways, here are just a few places I suggest looking:

  • Public Library ( yes, they have more than books you can check out!): 10 Free Things At The Library
  • Birthday Freebies (get free stuff every year for your bday!): How To Get Free Stuff On Your Birthday
  • Community Events: look for free concerts and events around town for free entertainment
  • Join a Freecycle Facebook Group to get things that others are giving away for free
  • Email your favorite companies and ask for coupons (yes this works!)

12. Overusing Laundry Detergent

I feel pretty confident making the assumption that that you are using more laundry detergent in your washing machine then you need to. Truth is, I think I use to much! Make sure you thoroughly read the instructions on your detergent to learn how much is actually needed. You just might might be surprised at how little your washing machine actually needs. The less you use, the less money you waste! Yay!

13. Using Incandescent Lightbulbs

The next way you are probably wasting money without realizing it is by buying the old fashioned incandescent lightbulbs. Yes, the price is cheaper up front, but these type of lightbulbs are making your electricity bill so much more expensive.

LED light bulbs last longer and uses less electricity than a traditional light bulb. Check out this Light Bulb Showdown article to see the huge life time savings in this one simple change.

14. Overpaying On Your Bills

Yes, we all have to pay our bills. And, at first glance those bills might feel set in stone. However, I’m here to tell you that many of them are actually negotiable!

That’s right! You can call up your service providers and ask them right out if they can offer you a lower rate than what you have been paying.

Not sure how to do that? I explain it all here: How To Negotiate Your Bills. I’ve heard so many success stories from this!

15. You Always Fill Up At The Same Gas Station

I’ll be the first to admit that I frequent my neighborhood gas station regularly, it’s just quick and convenient!

However, I have learned that over the years that I will save much more money if I shop around for gas, instead of filling up where it’s quick and convenient.

Make sur to check out gas buddy and Upside when trying to find the gas station with the best price on gasoline.

16. Buying Precut and Prepackaged Groceries

I love convenience as much as the next person, however when it comes to cutting costs at the grocery store, the first place you should look at is the convenience foods you are buying.

Do you spend money on pre-portioned snack items, such as buying small bags of chips instead of one large bag? Or maybe you buy premade salads or precut produce?

These types of purchases will run your grocery bill up fast! You will spend less if you begin buying the whole foods and cutting/portioning them out yourself.

17. Buying Everything New

Speaking of convenience, it is so easy to run to your local Walmart or scroll on Amazon for anything and everything. But, there are so many high quality items available for a fraction of the cost, you just have to be willing to be something gently used.

Rather than immediately turning to the flashy new store to buy a never before used item for top dollar, start browsing thrift stores, garage sales, and Facebook marketplace for gently used items at a fraction of the cost.

We have bought everything and anything used including, furniture, clothing, lawn mowers, toys, christmas presents, home decor, appliances, and more! If you are willing to make the time and effort to browse a few thrifting options, than you will save yourself a lot of money!

In Conclusion

These are just a few of the many ways you might be wasting money without even realizing it! If you can relate to any of these, don’t worry, you’re not a lone! Everyone succumbs to the ease and temptation of tossing money out the window every now and then. But, fortunately, we can all recognize our mistakes and try again!

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Now you can stop wasting money without realizing it!

How To Save Money When Moving

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to move on a budget.

My husband and I have had plenty of practice moving!  We have been married 17 years and in that time we have moved 9 different times.  This includes 6 different cities and 4 moves across the state border.  We have made many mistakes along the way, and over time have learned a few tricks about how to save money when moving.

I wanted to share a few of the tips and tricks we have learned a long the way to help you on any upcoming moves.

How To Save Money When Moving

1.  Set A Budget

The moment you know you will be moving, make a plan.  Set a budget of how much money you will be able to spend on this move.  Once the budget is made, stick to it.   

It’s so easy to allow small expenses to creep in while moving, don’t let that happen.  Sticking to the budget will most likely be hard work, but it is essential to helping you save money on your move.

2.  Make a Sinking Fund

After you have your moving budget, you will want to set up a sinking fund.  This sinking fund will help you slowly save up cash for your upcoming move.  This way when the time comes to move, you will already have money saved and set aside to cover the costs.

If you know of the move months in advance this should give you plenty of time to contribute to your sinking fund.  If the move is quicker and you will only have a few weeks, still make your sinking fund and try to save as much as you can each day.  You want this sinking fund to be able to cover the cost of your move.

3.  Skip the Moving Company

You can do this!  It won’t be easy, and it won’t be fun, but you can move without a moving company!  I PROMISE.

Begin packing and organizing the MINUTE you find out you will be needing to move.  Enlist a few friends to spend a Saturday helping you pack boxes and another Saturday loading and unloading the moving trucks. 

Make sure to buy these amazing friends some pizza or donuts to let them know you appreciate their time and service.  You will save so much money simply by doing the work yourself.

4.  Shop Around

I get that DIYing the move isn’t the best option for everyone.  Maybe there is a reason you feel you will need to hire someone to help you move.  There is nothing wrong with that!  Just make sure to always shop around before hiring anyone. 

Get quotes from a wide variety of moving companies and check referrals to find the best company for you. 

You could even do half the work yourself and then hire a moving company to do the other half.  Don’t be afraid to barter a little and ask them to beat competitors prices or give you a discount.  The worst thing they could say is no.  My rule is, “It never hurts to ask.”

5.  Do Not Buy Boxes

From the very first minute you find out you’re moving be on the lookout for free boxes.  There are free boxes everywhere, you just need to know where to look!  And I can help you with that!  😉

The first step to free boxes is to start saving any boxes you get from Amazon, or any store you shop at online.  Also, ask all of your friends and family to give you all of the boxes they get in the mail.  Usually a simple Facebook post will do.

The next place to find free boxes is at the grocery store.  Keep an eye open for grocery carts full of empty boxes as employees stock shelves.  If you can’t find anyone ask an employee and they can tell you the best time to come for boxes.

Another great place to look is Lowes.  This was always the jackpot for us!  Some employees were happy to hand out big boxes, but others weren’t so sure….so don’t be shy to ask a few different people!

6.  Organize!

If you decide to move yourself, make sure to stay organized!  This will help the move go more smoothly, and also reduce the amount of broken or lost boxes.

One of the most important parts of organizing when moving is labeling your boxes.  When labeling always include the box contents, the room it needs to go in, and whether it contains fragile items.  Pack items together that will need to go to the same room.  This will save you a ton of time when you start unpacking.

7.  Find Packing Filler at Home

Save money on moving by not buying any packing filler.  Instead try to find free items around your home you can use.  I’m betting you have tons of items that will work as filler!

A few things I have used for packing filler is:

  • Dish Cloths
  • Towels
  • Sheets
  • Clothing
  • Newspaper

It’s all free and needed to be moved anyways, might as well give it a job to do at the same time!

8.  Sell or Donate

Moving is the BEST time to donate or sell items that you don’t use.  The less stuff you have to pack means the less boxes, tape, moving power, etc. you will need.  It WILL save you money!  AND, if you are selling items, you can even EARN money at the same time!  (double win!)

9.  Shop Utilities

With moving comes cancelling/setting up utilities, and these costs can get expensive quickly.

Make sure to shop around and be choosy before setting up internet, cable, phone, or dish..  Many of these companies will give a good discount to new customers, but you have to ask.  This could also be the perfect time to change habits and ditch the cable all together.  It’s a big money saver, just sayin!

10.  Be Flexible

Moving is STRESSFUL, expensive and hard!  Give yourself grace and try to be flexible with all of the ups and downs that will come your way. 

Remember that the hard moments will be temporary, and one of the only ways to get through it is just to grin and bear it.  Be true to yourself and your budget, but also be willing to go with the flow once the time comes.  You got this!

 

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I hope this helped you learn how to save money when moving.

Which is best: Debt Snowball or Debt Avalanche Method?

By: Sweet Frugal Life5 Comments

The differences between the Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche.

Are you looking for the best way to pay off debt?  You are not alone!  One of the most important things to do when paying off debt is to develop a plan.  This plan should give you motivation and direction for your debt payments.  Two of the easiest ways to pay off debt is by using the debt snowball or debt avalanche methods.

Neither of these methods are superior to the other.  They both have great qualities and offer excellent motivation for getting rid of debt.  I’ll explain all of the pros and cons to these two methods in this article.

quickest way to pay off debt - best debt pay off plan

How to Pay Off Debt With The Debt Snowball

The Debt Snowball is the method Dave Ramsey recommends, and probably the most popular of the two.  The Debt Snowball was designed as a way to help you gain confidence with paying off debt.  The idea is that as you pay off your smaller debts first you will become more excited to pay off the larger ones.

To use the Debt Snowball method you will first list all of your debts in order from the smallest debt to the largest.  Do not pay attention to the interest rates, instead focus on the amount owed.

While continuing to make minimum payments on all debts, begin actively trying to pay off your SMALLEST debt FIRST by paying more than the minimum payment each month.

For Example:

  • $800 Credit Card with 5% interest
  • $5,000 Car Loan with 7% interest
  • $25,000 Student Loan with 15% interest

Pay off the credit card first, while continuing to make minimal payments on the other two debts.  Next you will pay off the car loan, and then lastly you will tackle the student loan.

This will mean that you will use ANY extra money that comes your way to paying off this one debt.  Try to cut out any unnecessary expenses and use that extra money to tackle each debt.

As you pay off those small debts you will have more practice and motivation to be able to tackle the larger debts.

Debt Snowball Pros

There are many pros to using the Debt Snowball to get rid of your debt.  A few of these include:

  • Builds Confidence
  • Keeps you motivated
  • It’s simple to follow

Debt Snowball Cons

The biggest con to using the Debt Snowball is that there is a possibility you will spend more money because you aren’t paying off the highest interest first.

If you choose to pay off a debt with only 2% interest and wait to pay off the debt with 15% interest, you are having to pay that extra interest rate longer, making it cost more in the long run.

This is where the Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche methods differ.  Next, I’ll explain all about the Debt Avalanche.

How To Pay Off Debt With The Debt Avalanche

The biggest difference between the Debt Snowball and the Debt Avalanche is that in the Debt Avalanche you will list your debts in order from the highest INTEREST to the lowest interest.  You will then continue to make all minimum payments for all debt while focusing all extra cash to paying off your debt with the highest interest rate.

For Example:

  • $25,000 Student Loan with 15% interest
  • $5,000 Car Loan with 7% interest
  • $800 Credit Card with 5% interest

In this example you will pay off your student loan first because that is the debt with the highest interest.  The point of the Debt Avalanche is that by getting rid of the debts that charger higher interest you will be able to pay off the debt quicker.

Debt Avalanche Pros

A few pros to the Debt Avalanche method are:

  • Possibly become debt free quicker
  • Saves you money in the long run

Debt Avalanche Cons

  • It takes longer to see results
  • Requires more patience

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Which Debt Payoff Method is Best For You?

So, what does this all mean for you???

The answer to that question will be personal.  It will be different for everyone.  There is no right or wrong debt payoff method.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, unsure of yourself and needs some help to get going with your debt, than the Debt Snowball will probably work best for you.

If you are already feeling super motivated and you want to get rid of that debt ASAP, then you might prefer the Debt Avalanche.  This method will get you aggressively paying off that debt and will cut out some of those interest costs.

What do I recommend?

I personally recommend you research, research and more research.  Study everything you can about both methods.  Once you have studied everything you can, make your decision.  You will naturally feel more comfortable and be drawn to a certain method.

Once you make the decision best for you, GO WITH IT, own it.  Do everything in your power to get rid of that debt.

I promise paying off debt WILL be hard…..but I also promise that your future self will THANK YOU for being willing to put in the work.

You Might Enjoy These Other Articles To Help You Save More Money:

The 6 Step Plan to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

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What to Cut From Budget to Save Thousands

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I hope this article helped you understand the differences between the debt snowball and debt avalanche methods.

How to Start Budgeting for Beginners

By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

Your Budgeting Questions Answered!

I receive so many messages on a daily basis from people wanting to learn how to start budgeting, but they don’t know how to take that first step.  It is always so amazing to me when I see others who want to improve their life and financial situation.  This isn’t an easy thing!  It can be scary trying to make such a big change into the unknown.  There can be a lot of questions when you first start budgeting and I want to answer some of those for you. 

Disclosure:  “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

 

How do I start budgeting?

The very most asked question I receive on Instagram is from people wanting to know how to start budgeting.  I think one of the hardest parts of most new habits is starting.  It is always hard to take that first big, sometimes scary, step in a new direction.  I have three suggestions to help you get on the right track for a successful budget.

1.  Make A Zero Based Budget

I recommend making a Zero Based Budget.  This is a budget where your expenses and income will be the same, in short…..you give every dollar a job to do within the budget.  This does not mean you SPEND every dollar, it means that it has a purpose and place within your budget.

If you are new to budgeting, it might take you a while to figure out just how much money to budget for each category.  This is normal!  A budget is fluid, meaning it is always changing. 

I had about a year of FAILED budgets (no lie) before I finally learned what works for me and my family.

A great resource to get started is my Free Budget Worksheet.  Grab it by signing up below!

 

 

2.  Track All Expenses

Once you make your Zero Based Budget I recommend tracking all of your expenses throughout the month.  Yes, this means writing down every.single.thing you spend.  Even that $1 pack of gum.  Write it down and track it!

Tracking your expenses keeps your budget accurate, and gives you a great window into your spending habits.  By tracking your spending habits, you will be able to see what areas you are over spending in and areas you could cut back.  This is crucial knowledge!

3.  Check Out Dave Ramsey

I highly recommend everyone new to budgeting, frugal living, or paying off debt read the book, The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  This book changed my life and was the one thing that put me on my path to frugal living and mindful spending.

Check it out from your library, borrow it from a friend, or order it from Amazon.  No matter how you get it, just read it.  Dave Ramsey uses easy to understand terms as he explains exactly how to fix your financial situation.

 

What is the best way to keep track of day to day spending?

Ok.  So now that we understand it’s important to track spending, let’s talk about exactly how to do that!

Truth is, there are many different ways to track spending.  There is no right or wrong way to track spending, the most important thing is that you stay consistent.  Here are a few options to try:

1.  Excel Spreadsheet

When we first started budgeting my husband put in hours (and hours and hours) making us an excel spreadsheet budget.  It was full of details and catered to our spending and needs.  

We loved this method.  It was free and easy to customize and liked that we could make it exactly how we needed it.  However, it was very time consuming to make and upkeep.

2.  Budgeting App or Software

After using the excel spreadsheet for a few years we moved on to a computer budgeting program.  It was seriously the best decision ever.

We have been using the You Need a Budget budgeting app for about 10 years now and have never looked back.  It is so user friendly and very affordable!  I love that you can download the app onto your phone and update it as you spend.

A few other great apps available are Every Dollar, Mint, and Pocket Guard.

3.  Paper and Pen

There is nothing wrong with tracking expenses with old fashioned paper and pen.  As a matter of fact, I know many who prefer budgeting this way.

When tracking spending it is important to stay consistent.  Pick a day of the week, schedule a time, and develop a routine for tracking your spending.

 

How do you use cash envelopes?

Cash envelopes are a great way to limit your spending and stick to your budget.  I always recommend them to anyone who consistently is going over budget.  Plus they are so easy to use!

Just make your budget, and then get out enough envelopes for your spending categories.  Label each envelope, “Clothing”, “Groceries”, etc.  Stuff the envelope with enough cash to cover your budgeted amount.

As you go throughout the month, use the cash envelope to purchase items in each category.  Once the cash is gone, your spending for the month is done!  

 

How do you make a grocery budget?

First, I want to remind you that grocery budgets will vary greatly!  There is no secret amount or right/wrong way to budget for groceries.  Food prices vary in different parts of the world, and different families have different needs/diets.

It will take some trial and error to find the right grocery budget for you.  A good rule of thumb is $120/person/month.  So, a family of four would have a budget of $450/month.  However, if you find yourself needing more in your budget that’s OK.  Make your budget work for YOU!

 

How do you save money on groceries?

Groceries are one of the biggest expenses for most budgets.  But!  I have learned a few ways to ease this burden!

1.  Meal Plan

The number one way I have found to keep those costs low is to meal plan.  Plan out every meal you want to eat for the week.  As you meal plan, write out your grocery list, and stick to this list while you shop.  Having a plan reduces the temptation to impulse shop and eat out.

2.  Walmart Grocery Pickup

Another fantastic way to stick to your grocery budget is to use Walmart Grocery Pickup.  It is completely FREE and you get to shop at home (in your PJs!) and then pick your groceries up at the store.  You don’t even have to get out of your car!!

The thing about Walmart Grocery Pickup is that you are able to watch your cart total on the app as you shop.  If you find you are spending more than your budgeted amount, just delete a few items from the cart!  So easy!  So helpful!

 

What are the easiest cashback apps for frugal beginners?

I’m always getting asked about the best cash back apps.  And, I love answering this question because cash back apps are one of my favorite things ever!!  I mean you get paid to buy things you would be buying anyways!  It just doesn’t get much better than that!

Here are a few of my favorite:

1.  Ibotta

Ibotta is the cashback app I have been using the longest.  It’s easy, straightforward and always has a few rebates available!  Sign up using this link for up to a $20 sign up bonus!  Whoo!

2.  Fetch Rewards

The easiest cashback app ever is Fetch Rewards.  Fetch Rewards takes less than a minute to use, and rewards you with points for every receipt.  These points can be redeemed for gift cards to your favorite places (Target and Amazon!!).  Try it for yourself here and use code FETCH2K to get 2,000 bonus points!

3.  Rakuten

Another very easy app to use is Rakuten.  Rakuten gives you cashback when you shop online at participating retailers.  I never buy anything online without first checking the Rakuten website!  Sign up today and get $10 bonus when you spend your first $25!

I share more details about cashback apps here!

 

What should my budget look like?  What is normal for our family?

When you are learning how to budget it’s important to remember that no two budgets look the same, and that’s how it’s suppose to be.

My normal will be different than your normal.  What I spend on groceries, will be different from what you will spend on groceries, etc.  This is one of my favorite parts of a budget.  You can customize it and find something that works for you personally!

With that said, I do recommend following Dave Ramseys budget percentages.  These aren’t the law, but I do like that it gives me a basic number to shoot for.

 

 

What can you do when you cut back, budget and still don’t have enough money?

I loved this question; because it is so relatable and a very real situation for many of us.

My first piece of advice is to keep your head up!  You are NOT alone!  There are so many dealing with similar struggles.  I strongly believe that together, we CAN help each other reach our financial goals.  Reach out to facebook groups and instagram accounts that discuss this issue.  Surrounding yourself with others in this situation should give you the strength, support and ideas to help get you through it.

When you have done EVERYTHING you can think of and the money is just still NOT adding up, that means it’s time to take more extreme actions.  Here are a few ideas to take when you need to be “gazelle intense.”

 1.  Sell items in your home

Look around your house for items you don’t use very often.  Sell these to earn a little extra money.  My goal is to always earn about $50 each month just by selling my clutter.  It’s possible!

10 Items In Your House You Can Sell Quickly To Make Money 

5 Places Online To Sell Your Clutter and Earn Cash).

2.  Start a side hustle

Try to find another way to bring in extra money.  A side hustle is a job you can do during your free time.  Here are a few side hustle ideas you can do at home.

3.  Make some sacrifices

Look through your budget one more time and find a few things you could cut out to have more money.  Could you stop going out to eat, or maybe you could switch cell companies to lower your phone plan, could you cancel your TV subscriptions or maybe not going to the movie theater?

I know that each of these can and will take a huge sacrifice, but remind yourself that the sacrifice is temporary.

4.  Earn more money

Consider asking for a raise from your current employer.  If you have been working at the same location for over a year, many employers will consider giving you a raise.  It never EVER hurts to ask!  Just ask politely and confidently.

If a raise won’t happen you might want to make a job change.  Begin searching around for a job that will pay better and still make you happy.

5.  Downgrade

If you are in desperate need of more money and none of the other suggestions will work for you, you might want to look into downgrading in a few areas of your life.  This might mean trading in your car for a cheaper model or moving into a more affordable home.

I understand it is NOT easy when the money just ISN’T there.  ESPECIALLY when you feel as if you have sacrificed again, and again and again.  I get it, I have been there!  Keep your head up.  Keep trying.  I believe in you!

In Conclusion

I hope this article answered all of your questions about budgeting and gave you the tools you need to know how to start budgeting!  Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions.  I’m always happy to help!

Remember that learning to budget takes time, and that’s OK!  Don’t give up if you fail the first few times…..keep trying and keep learning.

 

Pin for future reference:

how to start a budget for beginners

budgeting questions and answers

FAQ from Budget Beginners (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope this helps you understand how to start budgeting for beginners.

How To Budget For Unexpected Expenses

By: Sweet Frugal Life1 Comment

How to handle unplanned expenses in the budget.

Wondering how to budget for unexpected expenses?  You’re not alone!

Every month my husband and I sit down for our monthly budget meeting.  Is it fun?  Nope.  Do I look forward to it?  Big no!  Do I do it anyways because I know it will save me money????  Absolutely!

The monthly budget meeting is the time for us to discuss the previous months budget.  We go over what worked, what didn’t work and we put together a new budget for the next month.

Our budget is a zero based budget, meaning every single penny that comes in during the month is budgeted to a certain category.  There is no excess.  This not only helps keep us on track, but it also means we have to stick to what was budgeted, no exceptions!

We try to brainstorm every expense that is likely to arise over the next month.  Sometimes, we forget something.  And other times expenses arise that we had no way to plan for or expect.

Take last month for example.

We had our budget meeting and thought we were entering the month prepared.  A couple of week later we found out that we were going to have to pay $120 for my daughter to participate in track.

We had already agreed that she would be allowed to do track this year, we just didn’t realize how soon that fee would be due.

So, we went back to our budget and made it work.  We were able to cut a few other expenses down in a different category so that we could come up with the $120.  We have done this enough times that it’s become very easy and low stress.

If you are new to budgeting though, it might feel a little daunting when these unexpected expenses come.  I’m here to give you some pointers and help along the way.

5 Ways You Can Prepare (or tweak) Your Budget for Unexpected Expenses

budget for unexpected expenses -budgeting tips for beginners

Plan Ahead for the Unexpected

It’s not a secret that unexpected expenses happen.  So, it’s our job to prepare ourselves.  Here are two ways you can plan for the unexpected.

Emergency Fund

An Emergency Fund is so important to have at all times.  I can not stress this fact enough, if I could scream it from the rooftops…I would.  Whether we like it or not, emergencies happen!

My daughters track payment was NOT an emergency.  Make sure you only use this fund for true emergencies.  There are other ways to deal with unexpected expenses than dipping into this important account.

Honestly, I use to be someone that thought we were immune to emergencies, those types of things only happened to “other people”……and then one day my husband unexpectedly lost his job.

It was awful.  But.  The one thing that kept us going and kept me calm was the fact that we had an emergency fund in place.  Having that emergency fund in place was one of the only things that kept me going.  I had the peace that we would be OK.

I know that contributing to an emergency fund can be difficult…..especially when you have dozens of bills to pay, retirement to save for, mouths to feed, debt to pay off, and a life to live….I get it!

A few tips to help…..

  • Start small:  Try saving just 2% of each paycheck.  As it gets easier to do, slowly increase that percentage.
  • Set up a direct deposit:  Look into your bank to set up a direct deposit into a savings account (for emergencies only).  This account should be separate from your checking account so it’s harder to use.  When you set up a direct deposit the money is automatically deposited into your emergency savings account from your paycheck (or checking account, depending how it’s set up).  This way you don’t even have the choice to use that money for anything else.  If you never even see it, than you won’t even miss it!

Miscellaneous Category

Another important tip for learning how to budget for unexpected expenses is to include a Miscellaneous Category in your monthly budget.  This category is meant for the unplanned expenses that come during the month.

We put $150 into miscellaneous each month.  This money is used for all of the situations that arise, but weren’t planned for.

When my daughter came to us with the information that it was time to pay for track, we knew we could cover it with our miscellaneous budget.  However, we also knew that we would need to watch our spending in the other areas to make sure that no other “miscellaneous” items arose.

 

 

Fixing Unexpected Expenses

Here are a few ways to make the budget work if you don’t have (or don’t want to use) money from your miscellaneous category or emergency fund.

Pause Spending

If you find yourself overspending in a few of your categories, put a pause on all unnecessary spending for the rest of the month.

This may include stopping things like going out to eat, going to movies or buying clothes.  You might also want to limit your groceries, here are a few ways you can spend less on groceries.

This is not an easy adjustment, but remember it is only temporary.

Make Extra Money

If you need some quick cash, look into some ways to earn extra money.

Consider starting one of these side hustles that can be done from home.

Another way to get some extra money is to sell some items around your house.  This is actually my FAVE way to fix the budget.  All it takes is 5 minutes of taking pictures and writing a brief description of whatever you need to sell, and bam!  You’ve made money!

Here are 5 Websites you Can Sell Your Stuff for Quick Cash.  I prefer Facebook Marketplace, but I’ve used them all!

Take a look around your house to find a few items you haven’t touched for a few years (a basement storage room is usually the first place I look), and list that clutter for sale!  If you need some ideas, I’ve got you covered, just check out my article:  10 Items In Your House You Can Sell Quickly To Make Money

Keep Stepping Forward

The most important thing is that you don’t discouraged when these unexpected expenses arise.

There are always be bumps in the road, but you can overcome every single one of those bumps.  I promise!

No budget is perfect.  Mine certainly isn’t!  But.  I keep trying every month to improve little by little.  Learn from each mistake and keep your head up!

 

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Share in the comments how you deal with unexpected expenses in your budget??

Fix Your Budget After a Day of Impulse Shopping

By: Sweet Frugal Life11 Comments

You can fix your impulse shopping mistakes!

It happens to every single person…..and it usually happens more than once.  Everyone goes through moments of weakness when they throw all their common sense out the window, ignores their budget, and spends a day impulse shopping.

It actually happened to me just last week.  Yep.  You read that right!  Miss Sweet Frugal Life ignored her own advice and didn’t stick to her budget.  (not perfect!)

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Let me start at the beginning.

I have been slowly trying to decorate my music room.  When we moved into our house three years ago this room sat completely empty.  We have had to buy all new furnishings, and it has been expensive.

But, after years of buying a few pieces every month, I could finally see the finish line!  All I needed was a few items for the walls and then it would be done!  (yaaay!)

We did everything “by the book.”  Budgeted $50 for two frames from Hobby Lobby, stuffed my cash envelopes with the exact amount.  And I went shopping.

After a quick browse through the clearance section, I walked straight back to the frames.  Unfortunately, while on my way I walked past a picture that stopped me in my tracks.

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It was perfect and EXACTLY what I needed to finish decorating my music room.  I honestly thought that this picture was made for my house.  The colors and the style was just what I wanted and I already knew which wall I would hang it on.

I KNEW that I shouldn’t buy it, I understand Spending Triggers and I teach people daily how to avoid them.  So, I stood in the exact same spot at Hobby Lobby for ten minutes while an internal debate ensued in my head.

I knew I shouldn’t buy it, I only had enough money in my cash envelope to purchase the two frames, and I REALLY wanted the frames.

The Sad, Truthful Results

You all know how the story ends.  I let out a sigh, threw caution to the wind, and bought that picture using my credit card.

I’m not proud of this moment.  I sure wish I could tell all of you that I’m perfect ALL of the time and never impulse shop!  But, that just would not be true.  I’m just a regular lady trying my best….and sometimes that means failure.

But, you know what!  You can recover from impulse shopping.  There are things you can do to fix your mistakes.

Here are a few ways you can recover from impulse shopping.

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Give it a Day

Do not take off any tags or packaging for at least one day.  Set the item somewhere in your house where you will look at it often.  This will give you time to decide if you TRULY TRULY want to keep what you bought.

Most of the time when I do this exercise I learn quickly that I don’t want the item as much as I thought I did while at the store.  The guilt usually gets the best of me and I decide to take it back to the store.

Other times, such as the case of this picture, I decide that I do really want to keep it and I am pleased with the purchase.

Return It

When the guilt is more than you can handle you should take whatever you bought back to the store and return it.  You can return just about anything, and it’s always super quick and easy to do, just make sure to always keep your receipts for a smoother process.

Whenever I return an impulse buy I immediately feel the guilt being lifted from me.  I have NEVER regretted a return….but I HAVE regretted many purchases….think about it.

Sell Something

If you decide you DO want to keep your purchase, which is fine, you will need to come up with extra money to cover the cost.  One of the quickest ways to earn extra money is to sell something.  If you’re stumped on what to sale, check out this article for a few ideas.

This is what I decided to do last week, I had a lamp in my music room that I liked, but I just hadn’t been loving.  I had been contemplating getting rid of it for months and knew that this was the perfect time to do so.  I quickly listed the lamp on Facebook Marketplace and was able to earn $40 from it!  This easily covered the cost of the picture (plus an extra $10)!

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Adjust Your Budget

If you want to keep your impulse buy, and don’t want to sell anything, than you will need to find some extra money within your budget.

It is perfectly acceptable to move money around in your budget from time to time.  Try not to make a habit of it, but occasionally will be fine.

Take a good look at your budget and see if there is anything you can adjust to cover the costs of what you bought.  Could you cancel your plans to go out to dinner that night?  Or pass on a new pair of shoes?  Find something (anything!) you can do without for this month and use that money to cover the cost of your purchase.

Side Hustle

If the amount you spent was considerably high you might want to consider getting a temporary (or permanent even!) side hustle.  Is their a skill you have that could bring in a little extra money?

Perhaps making and selling a craft?  Babysit a child?  Dog walk?  Clean houses?   I truly believe EVERYONE has MULTIPLE talents they can offer to the world to bring in extra cash.  Make a list of your talents and choose one or two to turn into a side hustle.

In Conclusion

Honestly, I’m glad I came across this picture.  It completed our music room and it’s a purchase I am so happy with!

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BUT…..I should have waited to buy it until we budgeted the money for it.  I made a mistake!  However, I learned from the mistake!  And next time I will not make the same mistake again.

Budgeting, frugal living is not about perfection….it’s about PROGRESS!  Two steps forward, one step back is ALWAYS better than standing still.

Liked what you read?  Pin it for later reference!

how to stop impulse shopping

You might be interested in a few of my other articles:

Budgeting for Beginners: FAQ

A Financial Tale of Two Sisters

What I have learned about living a sweet and frugal life on ONE income

Don’t stress next time you impulse shop, you can fix it!

Unemployed: What I learned the hard way.

By: Sweet Frugal Life14 Comments

My husband, three kids and I experienced months of being unemployed.  This is something I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy.  This post is true, honest and raw about our experience.  I hope it can help others feel heard in similar situations.

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I’ve tried to write this story many, many times.

I’ve typed, and deleted more times than I can count.

It’s hard to share about a time in my life when my thoughts were so dark, my joy completely gone, and my shoulders heavy with burdens.  This is a time in my life when I would wake up every single morning with tears in my eyes and panic in my chest.  The moment I opened my eyes was the hardest part of my day.  The realization that I was going to have to live another dark day was almost more than I could bear.

I still have some PTSD from this situation.  My heart still clenches every time someone says the word “unemployed.”  The memories come back into my mind and I am reminded about the pain and stress during this time of my life.  It is hard to talk about, hard to relive it all.

And, yet, I know that others deal with much worse.  This small trial in my life is so small compared to what others go through.  I am so embarrassed that I wasn’t able to handle it all with more strength and courage.  I am embarrassed that it affected me so deeply and sent me into a dark depression.  I am embarrassed that others go through heartache after heartache, burden after burden, all with a smile on their face……and I couldn’t even handle this.  It makes me feel weak and full of shame.  I wish I would have, could have been stronger and better through it.  But, I wasn’t.

4 years ago my husband came home and told me he had lost his job.

My world immediately came crashing down on me.  I still shed tears every October 8 at 1:36 PM.  The moment everything changed.

The next 7 months was a nightmare.

I found myself checking and rechecking our bank account.  Calculating and recalculating how much we spend each month and how much we can cut out.  Every penny spent was like a kick in the gut.

I found myself worrying about all of the “what ifs.”  What if he can’t find another job.  What if we have to relocate (for the 4th time!).  What if I have to go back to work and leave my favorite job in the world as Stay at Home Mom.  What if we will never be able to afford to retire.  What if we won’t be able to send our kids to college.  What if we have to take my daughters out of gymnastics and piano lessons.  What if we can’t afford to buy the kids Christmas presents.  What if life will never be the same again.  What if we lose everything.

I worried about my husband.  Worried about his confidence, self-esteem, and pride.  I worried about my children.  I worried about the stress and burden they would have to feel.  I worried about our future, our present, and everything in between.

We began conversations about medicaid, unemployment and food stamps.

We felt like failures.  Failures as parents.  Failures as adults.  Failures as people.

We didn’t want anybody to know.  We didn’t want the judgments or the whispers.  They all found out……but nobody said anything, and that felt almost worst.

We wanted everyone to stop pretending like everything was normal.  As neighbors would smile at me and say in passing, “Hey, how’s it going?”  I knew the response they expected was, “Good, how are you?”  When really I wanted to scream at them, “I am miserable!  My husband is miserable!  We are crying every second behind closed doors and yet here you are wanting me to smile and make fake conversation!”

Or, there was the family members who planned a family get together that would require everyone to spend a lot of money in order to come.  I couldn’t understand how anyone could be so inconsiderate.  Do they not realize that we have ZERO money coming in right now and every penny spent feels like we are one step closer to living on the streets?  It hurt.  It hurt really bad.

These are not easy things to admit.  I told you that I wasn’t in a good place at this time.  A better person would have handled it all better.  A better person wouldn’t have gotten so upset…..but I wasn’t that person, and I am ashamed by it.

Not everyone was insensitive to our situation.  Their was the neighbor that held me for 10 minutes as I cried and cried.  My sister who allowed me to vent all of my frustrations day in and day out and never judged or condemned my feelings.  My dad who hired my husband for odd jobs and used his personal connections to try to network for us.  The many secret envelopes of money that showed up at our doorstep right in time for Christmas.  We had many many earthly angels placed in our life at this time.

My husband is an amazing man and an extremely hard worker.  He immediately updated his resume and spent every single day visiting local businesses, trying to network and make connections.  He would call and stay up to date with everywhere he placed his resume.  He spent hours browsing the internet looking for any new positions posted.  He picked up every side job he could find.  He hung Christmas lights, worked for a sod company, stained a pig pen, bottled milk at a dairy plant, and hired himself out as a handy man.

We started out with the hope that he would only be out of work for a few weeks.

Weeks turned into months.  7 months went by and he began sending his resume further and further away.

He had a few interviews.  He even had a job offer, which suddenly disappeared one day.  And that was my breaking point, the moment I felt as if I had been thrown in a deep dark hole and all hope was lost.

And then a miracle happened.

He decided to look on Craigslist again (which had always been a dead end in the past).  He found a job posting for what looked like the perfect fit.

The ironic thing about this posting is that this was the very first business he stopped by that first day of being out of work.  They had told him they weren’t hiring.  7 months had changed that.

He sent in his resume.  Didn’t hear anything.  He called them a week later to check up.  He was offered an interview.

He showed up for the interview the next day and was shocked when he was greeted by two of his good friends from college.  They had graduated in the same program together, worked on research projects together, and then had gone their separate ways.  That was 10 years ago.  These friends vouched for him and were a huge part of him getting this job.

The interview went well, but we had gotten our hopes up far to many times and feared another letdown.

Three days went by without a word.  Again, my husband called to check up on his status.  He was offered the job on the spot.  This was his dream job.  A perfect fit for him and our family.  Do you believe in a higher being?  Because I do.  And, I believe He helped my husband find this job.  The friends that were vital to him getting this position, both left the company just two months later.  Coincidence?  I think not.  This all happened as it was suppose to.

Why am I telling you this?

So that you understand why am I am the way that I am.

I am a natural spender.  (Read my post A Financial Tale of Two Sisters for more info on that).  Before this experience I lived fairly frugal.  I didn’t have any debt, I made 80% of our meals at home, and I tried to save a little from each paycheck.

Yet, I didn’t stick to a budget.  I didn’t blink an eye when I would drop $200 at Target.  I impulsed shopped.  I bought what I wanted, when I wanted.  I used the phrase, “I deserve this, so I will buy it” far more than I would like to admit.  I assumed life would always be easy and there was really no reason to worry about money.

I was wrong.  So very wrong.

When we spent these 7 months unemployed and I felt all of the many heartaches and pressures of finances, constantly worrying and wondering if we would have enough to survive; I learned just how important the value of a dollar is.

I vowed to never feel that way again.

I can’t control whether my husband loses his job again or not.  But, I can control my spending and my saving.

I realized that when there’s a will, there’s a way.

We learned to live life without ever going out to eat.  I figured out how to cut my grocery budget (something I had always deemed “impossible” before this).  I learned to shop at the thrift store, to use what we already had on hand.  I learned to say “no.”  I realized just how much unnecessary spending I had been doing, and just how wasteful it all was.  I learned that all of my excuses, were just that, excuses.  When we absolutely HAD to cut our spending, we DID it!

I worried a lot about my kids…..I didn’t want them to feel these adult burdens.

Immediately after losing his job, my husband and I sat our children down and told them through tears what had happened.  We explained to them that things were going to have to change as we needed to be more careful with our money.  Our kids cried and cried as we hugged them and told them everything would be ok…..all the while I was secretly wondering, “would it be ok?????

About 5 months into unemployment my oldest child announced, “Nothing has really changed!  It feels the same as it did before!”  I was so relieved to hear her say this.

The thing is, everything had changed.  I was spending 75% less each month than I had been before.  Yet, my kids were obviously not hurting.  This taught me that kids do NOT need a lot of money spent on them in order for them to be happy.  They were perfectly content with the simple life we had created.

This is why I am frugal and why I would rather have money in the bank than stuff in my house.  Saving money brings me the security and assurance that we will be taken care of if we ever find ourselves in this situation again.

I have learned that I can live on MUCH less than I had originally thought.

It is not always easy for me to live frugally.  I make mistakes, I get lazy.  But, when the thoughts and emotions of those horrific 7 months come back to my mind I am reminded that it is ALL worth it!

And THIS is why a spender learned to be a saver.  THIS is why I live a frugal life.

 

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Have you experienced a season of being unemployed?  Share your experience below!

A True Story of a Saver and Spender

By: Sweet Frugal Life15 Comments

A financial tale of two sisters.

I’ve heard many people wonder if your spending habits truly make a difference, or is it the income that matters.  I believe it is some of both.  Here’s a story about a true saver and spender and what exactly happens when you change your spending habits.

The story you are about to read is true.  The names have been changed to protect those involved. (Note Sarcasm 😉 )

a saver vs. spender - saving money is important

Once upon a time there were two sisters.

One was named Jane and the other Melissa.

Jane and Melissa were raised by two hardworking, frugal minded parents.  These wonderful parents raised the sisters to understand the importance of saving money,  spending wisely, and budgeting.

Jane and Melissa both began receiving an allowance at age 12.  They were both given the same amount of money and were taught to save at least 10%, tithe 10% and the rest they could spend.

Melissa began babysitting at a young age.  The majority of her weekends and summers were spent babysitting for multiple families.  She was able to earn a good deal of money from this job and she followed her parents counsel by saving and tithing 10% of her income.

The Teen Years

As Melissa grew, so did her social life.  She loved to spend her weekends with friends.  She enjoyed using her spending money, and because she had saved and tithed, she felt no guilt in spending the rest.  Melissa and her friends spent the majority of their time together going to movies, eating out at restaurants, and shopping at the mall.

At age 16 Melissa got a job.  This job provided her with part time hours during the school year and full time during the summer.  She was earning more money now, and was diligent about saving money and preparing for her financial future.  Melissa was very proud of her bank account, and proud that she had been able to save faithfully during her teen years.

When she graduated from high school she had $3,000 in her savings account.

Jane

Unlike Melissa, Jane didn’t babysit very much during her younger years.  She tried to do extra chores around the home and was able to earn some extra money that way.

At age 16 Jane began working at the same store Melissa had worked at.  Jane was also able to earn a steady income with part time hours during the school year and full time during the summer.

Jane worked hard at her high school job and enjoyed earning money.  She was diligent about tithing 10% of her paychecks, but decided to save even more than the 10% her parents had asked of her.  Instead, she saved 70% or more of each paycheck and kept very little for personal spending money.

Her social life grew, as most teens did.  She chose her friends wisely, and found friends who had similar goals and aspirations as she did.  Instead of going to movies and shopping, like Melissa and her friends did, they instead chose to spend time at each other homes and enjoying frugal activities together.

Jane graduated from high school with $16,000 in her banking account.  (Remember Melissa only had $3,000)

Here's why your spending habits matter more than your paycheck

So What Happened?

Two Sisters.  Raised the exact same way.  Given the exact same allowance.  Worked at the exact same job, received the exact same paychecks.  Yet, Jane ended up with four times the amount of money that Melissa had.

The difference?

Jane was much wiser in her spending.  She chose to participate in frugal activities and understood the value in saving as much money as she could.

Melissa, on the other hand, did the bare minimum.  She didn’t worry much about the future, and figured as long as she was saving a little bit, she would be fine.  Melissa didn’t realize the life she COULD have given herself if she had only practiced a little more self control.  Her vision was not as big as Janes.

Spending Habits Matter

All good stories end with a moral, and this one is no different.

The story of Jane and Melissa has taught me many many financial lessons.  However, there is one lesson that sticks out to me more than the others.

Jane and Melissa received the EXACT same paychecks, for the EXACT same number of years.  Their parents taught them the EXACT same money principles in the EXACT same way.  But, Jane chose to save and save and save, while Melissa chose to spend.

This teaches me that our financial situation is not always about how much money we might MAKE….it is more about how much money we SAVE.  The paycheck isn’t the problem, the way we spend money is the problem.

Just imagine what a difference your savings account could make over the next few years if you just cut out going out to eat, or going to the movies, etc.  Little baby steps can make a big difference.

I am able to say this, because this is MY story.  I am Melissa.

20 Years Later….

It has now been 20 years since Jane and Melissa grew up together learning how to manage money.

Jane Update:  Jane continues to save money, live frugally and budget.  She has found a good balance between spending money to enjoy life and saving for emergencies and the future.

Melissa Update:  It took a little bit longer for Melissa to learn smart money skills.  But, through time and a few financial hardships, she is now a diligent budgeter and loves to save money.  She also writes a little blog called Sweet Frugal Life where she shares that living on a budget can still be a sweet and happy life!  😉

Related Articles:

How to Start Budgeting for Beginners

How To Stop Impulse Buying For Good

Don’t Forget to Pin For Future Reference:

saver v. spender - how to save more money

Are you a saver or a spender???

FIRE: Here’s why I don’t participate.

By: Sweet Frugal Life9 Comments

I’ve been asked a few times my opinion about spending money on life experiences right now, or if it’s best to keep saving and wait for the future.  The obvious answer from a frugal, budget loving blogger, who loves to encourage everyone to spend conservatively and plan for their future, would be to advise everyone to wait until later and build your wealth now.  The FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) Movement continues to gain popularity.  I love the idea of sacrificing now to enjoy life later, and completely support those who are working towards FIRE.  However.  I actually believe in the importance of budgeting for joy.  In THIS moment….because, you know what, those golden years you are anxiously waiting for, they just might not come…..

My sweet mother was a huge saver.  I have learned ALL of my frugal ways from her.  And, the truth is……I’m still not as frugal as she was, I don’t think I’ll EVER be as frugal as she was.

I think the thing I admire most about her is the fact that she did not need to be frugal, she had a very comfortable income.  She chose to be frugal because she understood the value of saving money.

She passed away when she was 48.  I was 22.

Losing her at such a young age has had a HUGE impact on the way I view life.  I have developed the mindset that life is temporary, short, and fragile.  It is a gift to be treasured and celebrated.

I am fairly confident in saying that my natural instincts would be to work towards FIRE; to save EVERYTHING for the future and look forward to enjoying life once that comfortable retirement kicks in.

But…..my life experiences have taught me a different lesson.  Sure, I do believe in saving for your future…..I also believe in spending some money on enjoying life in the present.

It’s important to focus on BALANCE.

It MUST be a priority to pay off all debt, save aggressively for your retirement, save to send your kids to college, try to build wealth, etc…..

At the same time, you need to budget for a little bit of JOY.

This does NOT mean it’s ok to go on a luxury vacation while charging everything to your credit card.  And it’s definitely NOT an excuse to blow your budget because you are “enjoying life.”

It does mean it is ok (and I would argue important) to give yourself some fun money, take a break every now and then, explore the areas around you, and LIVE life to it’s fullest.

This will look different for everyone.  For some this could be a weekend road trip, others might prefer a quiet stay cation.  Do what sparks joy for you, this will look differently for everyone.  (and…you know what, it actually doesn’t need to cost a lot of money to have meaningful, joyful experiences!)

In conclusion, be intentional with your spending.  Intentional with saving money and intentional with budgeting and building wealth.  But also, be intentional with your life experiences.  Life is to short to only enjoy it when you get older…..make sure you are experiencing it right now too!

I would love to know your opinion on this subject!  We each have had different life experiences that have shaped us into the people we are today.  Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts?  Are you trying to be intentional with budgeting AND enjoying life?  Do you budget for joy?  Let me know in the comments!!

 

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