Hey you!
People often ask how we can live off a modest salary... and just the one!
My husband does work he loves and get enough money for me not to work and concentrate on other stuff (more on that in another post). And he works in a regular job... no big shot carreer or successful business! We are regular people!
Therefore you can do it to!
The trick is not only in how much money you make! It is mostly related to what you spend! You can be rich getting 50k a year for a couple! We are.
But we had to make choices.
Accept the trade-offs.
Decide what is essential to us.
Here are some tips on how we do it. But these are just ideas... not rules! You are the essentialist, you do what works for YOU!
1) eat less - it is now well known that in America, most non-overweight people eat 30% to much still. Decrease your plate size... you'll save $, be healthier and feel better!
2) put water tank on highest temperature as it forces you to use more cold than hot water to get the temperature you want! Hot water is way more expensive! CAREFUL, YOU CAN'T DO THAT IF YOU HAVE YOUNG KIDS, THEY COULD BURN THEMSELVES!!!
3) avoid buying new furniture - old furniture was of much higher quality! If it's damaged, fix it! If you no longer can stand the look of it, be creative: dye it, paint it, write on it, draw on it, collage... change upholstery! Switch with someone else...
4) get good quality clothes that you absolutely adore, that fits you well, are your style and will wear forever!
5) alternatively thrift store shop for clothes - there are many thrift stores shop anywhere now and of all kind of style, price and quality! If you go regularly you can find amazing deals! I found 2 items last summer, that were of high quality, never worn (they still had original price tags!) and so much cheaper! A top originally priced at 89$ for 9$ and capri pants originally price at 59$ for 2$!!!
6) unless it is required by a medical condition ditch the AC (and being out if shape is not a medical condition!)
7) plan your menu, batch cook, use left over by adding to them to create another meal, buy local and in season, buy nourishing food -you'll need less (example, potatoes and oatmeal are super food and quite inexpensive!) REMEMBER, THROWING AWAY FOOD IS THROWING AWAY MONEY PLUS A WASTE OF FINITE RESOURCES!
8) lower your heating cost by decreasing temperature to 15C when sleeping or out and not more than 18-19C when you are there! Use blankets when watching TV and dress up more!
9) ditch the car if you can... if not, use it as little as you can! Walk/bike when you can, group your errands, carpool...
10) live in a smaller and/or cheaper place! Do you really need all that space? Luxury?
+1) as a writer, I should probably not write that, but use the library! I do it!!! You do not have to buy all the books you read! (Honestly, did you read all the books that are currently in your home? How much did you spend on books you never and will never read?) Buy only those you'll keep coming back to! Another option is to buy e-books : they are cheaper and still contribute to the author's income!
These are some of the things we did to lower our budget and be able to afford living on a modest income!
What would you do?
What would you never do?
Any other ideas?
If you liked this post please share!
Thanks
Chloe 💜&✌
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