Tightening the Belt and Living Frugally
Although it seems things are looking up economically on a global scale we all recognise that we need to keep the belt firmly tightened – at least for this quarter.
Everyone knows that the media can make or break public attitude and no more so than here in the United Kingdom. The latest spin doctors are predicting this quarter to produce evidence of an economic upswing but my advice is, keep that belt on the same notch for a while.
Take a few pointers on frugality and see how you can apply them to your own lifestyle to ensure you get safely through the recession.
Put the credit card on ice
Literally pop the offending item into a Tupperware, fill with water and freeze it. You’ll forget about it in a few days and learn to live on what you have instead of what you’d like to have.
Say yes to veggies
Grow your own. The soil’s great around the United Kingdom. Put your name down for an allotment and get your wellies on! Besides, home grown tastes best and you might even enjoy it.
Get closer and even more personal
Little expenses like hair cuts and pedicures eat up household budgets as do cards and going to the gym. Do it yourself. Get the scissors out, wedge your knee firmly between your loved ones knees and give him the trim of his life and instead of the gym, chase him around the house.
Eat at home
Restaurants eat your money. You can cook up a great spread for half the price at home. Lay the table, light the candles and cosy up with your loved ones over the family’s favourite or arrange a round robin supper where you only produce the dessert!
Give up the luxuries
That little caffe Latte in the coffee shop, the g-string in the mall, the ice-cream cone and the phone calls to friends in crisis – give them up! They may not seem important at the time but believe me, they soon add up! Drop the money in a tin and watch it grow.
Focus on what’s important
No one has to be totally stringent. Just learn to treat yourself in a different manner. Give your man a foot rub and ask him to massage your shoulders instead of going out to dinner. Get the kids baking with you in the kitchen instead of buying all those supermarket treats. Trade pedis with a girlfriend and start a supper club!
Once you get the hang of it, saving is easy. It’s just hard to start it off. Sit your family down and ask them to come up with ways to save on costs like turning the lights off every time they leave a room, cutting a minute off their showers, wearing their jeans for another day, getting friends to call them back. They’ll soon learn and you’ll soon save.
Anco van Velsen
Jane van Velsen - The Right Writer
