gmastasquirrel.com

[ad#ad-1]
One of the goals this year for me has been to put myself is to save more money. Who am I kidding? I need to SAVE money in general. With car payments and paying off my credit card, and going out with my friends, it’s hard to have anything saved up in the bank. Like anything in life, making a change can be tough. One needs to make a commitment and stick to it. But when the commitment is broken, one needs to not give up, get up, and try again. Believe me, I have tried and failed many of times through out this year. Here are a few things I have been doing to budget myself and save for the future.

1. Public Transportation. Taking the bus. Gas in Hawaii is still $4.00+ for regular unleaded. It’s crazy. My car which at one time took 30 bucks to fill, now cost about 75 dollars to fill up. I went out and bought a bus pass so that I could save some bucks and enjoy a ride with a bunch of strangers. I still drive every once in a while and I know I shouldn’t. It is helping me.

2. Stop Buying New Things. Electronics, my one true vice. I’ve decided not to buy anymore electronics for the rest of the year.

3. Credit Card. Stop using it. Finish paying it.

4. Brown Bag Lunch. The food in Hawaii is to die for. Those $5.00 plate lunches will add up in the long run. I have found the perfect lunch equation. Bread + Tuna = Savings. Savings = Happy.

5. Minimalist Lifestyle. I am getting rid of all the junk in my room. I have donated, given away, or trashed anything that I didn’t need. Guess what? My room is the cleanest it has ever been. A clean area also promotes better focus and peace of mind and God knows I could use both.

6. Use The Club Card + Coupons. Anything you can use that will give you cheaper bread. Short. Simple.

7. Watch TV / Movies On The Net. OK, I am not saying to start pirating shows from your favorite torrent site. Some stations will let you watch shows online. If you missed the last Prision Break, Fox.com may have the episode up. Sometimes youtube will have shows and or movies posted. It will save you money on the cable bill as well as going to the theater.

8. Stop Going Out. Do stuff at home. Movie nights? Cookouts? Fishing? Write a script? Do something that is inexpensive as well as fun. I think I should take up fishing. I would rather finish writing my script. Save that money to pay to make the script.

Saving money is a work in progress, but there is a little progress. If you have any suggestions I would really love to hear them. Comment.