Ever thought about going a whole day without spend money? I mean nothing. Not running out for gas, milk, bread, smokes, eggs or anything. You have to use what you have on hand. Stretch out consumables for the day. You can however use your utilities as they are already paid for.
This doesn't sound like that big of a deal to some and beyond the pale for others. As some folks run out daily or even multiple times daily to get this and that. I mean not ordering anything online or over the phone. No new apps nothing. Out of soda, too bad.
A day of not spending is a good off day project. Although you can do it on a work day as well. You just have to pack your lunch! You can take an automobile to work as long as you do not need gas. Not so good for you that ride around on an empty tank. An exception can be fare if you use public transportation to get to your avocation or primary employment. For our purposes we will consider this a utility.
If this project is executed on an off day all the better. What better time to do those little things that have been on the back burner and just not done. Clean your living space. Most likely you have everything on hand to do so. Straighten out your closets. Wash the windows. Trim the outside plants. Once started it will snowball into many things.
This doesn't mean having to stay inside as one could take a walk, bike ride, go fishing, clean your car or just hang out. A lesson can be learned from older people that you see doing things that do not cost money. For the most part they can entertain themselves without spending. Although the Great Depression era folks are passing a lesson from them can be learned. As generations after became worst with money, me as well. I find that anytime I leave the house I spend money on something. And now days $5 won't get much so it's like $20.
After your walk come in and reconcile your check book. Have you done that lately. Put on some old movie. Run a scan and defragment your computer. Send an email to someone. Read a book or magazine. Surf the Internet. Learn a new skill. Sharpen up the kitchen knives. Scan and straightenn up those kitchen cupboards. Especially as you will have to use what you have on hand to prepare a meal. Find that can of soup that expired in 2008. And of course don't use it!
A day of not spending does not have to be horrible. And may find that it goes by very quickly. As being busy makes time pass. Piece together a nice meal. Feel like a job well done. Think how you saved and do it a couple times a month.
I know a lot of people do not have that low threshold of excitement as I do. I just wish that I would have applied this mentality sooner. That retirement at 62 would have been a breeze. Less clutter. Maybe healthier.
I do not know. But I would have had a better handle on it. What about all those good time memories? Well what about those bad time memories.
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