Becoming A Minimalist Is Really Becoming Real To Me (The Money Squeeze, Getting Real About Saving Money)

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I have spent most of my life, saving money and I consider it one of my strongest attributes that come from my Dad because he was a saver and I learned a lot from him and some of my other relatives.

 Lately, I have realized that I have to cut corners even more because of the rising cost of just about everything around me at this time.

 There is no room for slacking off or making any excuses because sometimes you have to say to your own self (No!)

The holidays will be coming up in a few months and all the temptation will be there to spend, spend, spend but I will not be using any credit at all this holiday season because I have some goals that I must work towards for next year that is unavoidable.

Being a minimalist is not only a lifestyle but it is a practice and I have done it many times, one way or another but the truth is, I am a clothes horse and it pains me just to think about the clothing shopping trips that I will have to avoid this year and next year.

  Unless, I rework my strategy, of course, haha!

I prepared myself over the last few years to take advantage of sales and I have proudly amassed a large collection of clothes that will definitely be used during this time of me cutting back on my expenses.

  This will be a time that I will get very creative with the things that I already own and also reflect on the times that I had to cut back and all the blessings that God allowed me to have or to see.

You can never forget where you come from and I know with God's help I can make it through.  YouTube has been very helpful in showing different ways of using natural products for cleaning my home and this is assisting me with my minimalist lifestyle even further.

My name and motto on this blog are: How To Save Money And Look Good While Doing So, is the affirmation I am going to stand by and on my new journey I am going to share the powerful lessons that I have learned and still learning.

Please leave your comment below if you are a minimalist or thinking about becoming one.

How To Save Energy In The Summer

How To Save Energy In The Summer:

The first thing you want to get is an energy efficient air conditioner because some of the older models are outdated and burn a lot of energy.  You will see a big difference in your electric bill and you will save a lot of money.

Keep your shades and curtains closed during the day while you are at work and this will keep your house cooler.

Tell your children to keep lights on in only one section of your house or apartment and tell them to only stay in that part of the house.

Unplug all non-essential things to save money, such as; microwave oven because if you are not using it most of the day, this will save you some money in the long run.

Do not use your Oven in the summer because it will overheat your house. Use a Crock pot instead.

Use energy saving light bulbs all over your house.  This really helps you to save year round.

Use your air conditioner in the daytime and use fans at night unless it is extremely hot and you will save money.

Buy and use portable drying racks to dry your clothing because the dryer will heat up your house.

Take short showers at night to save energy.

What things are you willing to do without?

: Living Below Your Means:

I had to take a serious look at my expenses and my income this year.  I have some wonderful events that are happening in my family this year and I need money to accommodate these expenses.

The best way for me to be ready without using credit cards is to cut back.  The first thing that I must do is to find out what I am willing to live without to reach my goals.  Below you will see what I am doing and what I am planning to do to make my financial dreams a reality.

What I Can Live Without:

High-Speed Internet Service:

Use low-cost Internet service if you do not use the Internet for conducting your business.  If all you need is Internet service just to check your emails, then you don't need top of the line service.

      2. New Clothes:

Stop buying clothes that you don't really need right now.  Go through your closet to see what can be re-worked and worn differently and ways to freshen up your wardrobe.  Scarves and jewelry work wonders to update your wardrobe.

     3. Analog Phone Service: 

I have not done it yet but I am thinking of having cell phone service only and that would help me to save a bundle.

     4. Change Your Hair Style:

Wear a simple low maintenance hairstyle that doesn't cost me anything to maintain.

     5. Movie Theater:

I will buy DVD or borrow movies from the Library.

    6. Cut Cable Service:

I am planning to downgrade my service or totally cut my cable.  The fees are very high and most movie channels are playing the same movie.  It is very easy to watch shows and movies on your computer and there are low price options such as; Netflix, Hulu and there are others that will give you a great deal.

  7. Loose Change;

Go to the Bank and get change so I don't have to break Dollar bills to get change.  We waste a lot of money when we have to go to a store and buy things because we really need change.

  8. Restaurant:

I will not go to Restaurants and if I do, it will be low price local Eateries.  There are a lot of new spots that opened in my area and they are really reasonable.

  9. Personal Beauty Products:

I will buy products that can be used for more than one thing such as All in one body washes that can 

be used to wash hair also and I am planning to make my own fragrance-free soap.

 10. Shoes:

I will use shoes in nude or black to keep my spending down and use a basic nude handbag to go with everything

Finding Your Happy Sweet Spot In Your Life.

I decided to touch on this subject because I had a conversation with my daughter a few months ago and she asked me " What age were you the happiest?".   I told her that I was my happiest at age 40.  She looked very puzzled and she said " Why age Forty?".  Carefully I explained to her that it was the age that I started to fully embrace myself.  I had raised her into adulthood and it was the time that I could truly live my life and do the things that I wanted to do.

It was a time that I was no longer responsible for another person.  When you are forty you have gone through the times in your life when you were totally insecure with yourself due to weight gain or maybe other flaws that you have.   Forty is the age that you can look back and perhaps see the mistakes that you have made and truly thank God for his protection and seeing how you made it through.  You see, life is not perfect or easy but the way you deal with things makes all the difference.

My twenties was not easy at all and you would think that being young would present me with more opportunities and happy experiences.   The road to my forties gave me a chance for forgiveness, and it gave me the wisdom to speak to another young person and tell them that if you persevere, you will be alright.

I am so much calmer now and when things go wrong I know that there will be a way of escape and know to pray for God's guidance.

Through hard times, The Lord showed me how to be resourceful and now I count it as the many gifts that I have.  Happiness starts with self acceptance.  We have all seen the person who the world may see as unattractive but this person thinks they are the most beautiful person in the world and it seems to draw people and make other people think this person is beautiful too.  Deep down this person may know that they are unattractive but the positive image that they project is charismatic.   This shows that you can draw positive things into your life, if you just believe.

If you are young and short on money; buy yourself little small gifts that makes you happy and project a positive image to the world.  I promise that one day you will tell your own story of how you found your happiness in life.  Many years ago when I would be short on cash, I would go to a discount store and buy nail polish that cost $1.00 and keep my nails beautifully polished everyday.  This made me feel happy.  You can find beauty and solace in simplicity.

There is an old saying "Paint a picture of what you want to be."   Project happiness into the world and that is what you will get back.



                                         ***********SashaMoniqueTalks**************

ARE YOU A CHEAPSKATE?

This is a question that is hard to answer sometimes because when you are a saver by nature, sometimes people form different opinions on the ways that you spend and control your money.

Many times we are introduced to this lifestyle from the way we are raised and if you are a frugal queen like myself, you can best believe there is another influential person in your life who lived a frugal lifestyle and you were amazed at what they could do with so little.

I can recall people that I heard were cheapskates and other demeaning terms but in the long run, they were better off.  Why?  because they were planners.  They prepared and had self control over wants over needs and what I found is that they actually had all the good toys that everyone strives to get.

Self control is something that is needed that will allow you to pay your bills in a timely manner and to save weekly or monthly towards special things that we would like to acquire.

I have a motto that I live by and it is ("If It Isn't Broke Don't Fix It").  This means that I will live a modest lifestyle but you best believe that if I really want something I can get it, but, is it necessary right now?

My weaknesses are: Clothing, Jewelry, Computer Products and other Electronics.  I like to save up for these things and when I am ready, I splurge on myself.

I also like to save money for things for my family on Birthday's.  Am I a cheapskate?  No.  I am an innovative thinker because I want my money to work for me long term.  I don't want to keep replacing the same things over and over again.

To save money you also have to learn how to take care of the things that you already have.  This is what is called being a good steward over your money.

I am seeking to be financially secured and I am working towards this goal.  It starts with a change in your mindset towards money.

 Let your money work for you and create opportunities and growth and when you make it; don't worry about the label that society gave you regarding being a cheapskate.  Real Millionaires are very strategic in their spending; sure, they play hard but they make sure that their money is always growing.




                                                   SashaMoniqueTalks