by Darlene Arechederra
I confess. I didn't always do such a great job with saving my
money. In my younger days, I got off track. And it took me a while to get with
the program again, even though I knew it was in my best interest to save.
How about you? Has setting aside money been an issue for you?
Let's face it. Unless we're going to inherit great wealth, we'll
need to tuck away some money. And, if you're still reading, chances are you
won't inherit from your wealthy relatives (smile).
So, how do you take that initial, small step to saving?
Well, picture a jogger, if you will. You have to admire her.
She's out there jogging in the early morning hours, determined to do her thing.
And she does it every day. It takes a certain amount of dedication to jog daily.
Motivation. Determination.
But, she didn't wake up one morning and begin jogging ten miles
that day. If she tried to do that, chances are she'd be too sore to run again
for quite awhile.
No, it's likely she began with much smaller steps, perhaps
walking three times a week, working up to every day. She might have alternated
her steps with jogging until at last, she was out there jogging every day.
So you see, she didn't start out jogging. Her starting point was
walking.
And so it is with saving... one small step at a time. For you,
previous commitments and lack of time may be important factors. You'd like to
begin saving money, but your gut tells you that your methods must be compatible
with your lifestyle. If they're easily done, that's even better.
So, you'll want to find methods of saving that will keep you out
of the overwhelm mode.
If you live a somewhat hectic lifestyle, food may be one of your
largest expenses. Eating out at lunchtime, not having time to pack the kids'
lunches, or eating dinner out several times a week all add up.
If you're a busy person who spends extra money on food due to
your schedule, let's think of this as your starting point.
TIP: The most important strategy you can implement is to always
use your least busy evening (or day) to get started.
Below are some examples of how you might find and set up your
own starting point.
1. Spend Less on Lunches
a) Pick
one night of the week when you have the least amount of errands or running to do
after work. This is the perfect evening to pack a lunch for you or the kids.
b) Pack
lunches only on your chosen day when starting out.
c) Once
you've done this for about a month, pick one more evening/day that would work
well with your schedule.
d)
Immediately tuck away the amount of money you've saved through making lunches.
That's your reward! Write yourself a check if need be.
You
could also use that money and save even more by stocking up on sale items (buy
only items you use on a regular basis.) This way, you'll never be caught off
guard with no food in your pantry or freezer.
2. Spend Less Eating Out
Since dinner costs more to eat out, you'll save more money by
finding a simple solution to eating out less at dinnertime. To cut back on
eating out, simply use your least busy evening/day to cook up a double batch of
food. Freeze the extra as a backup meal for one of your busiest evenings.
3. Spend Less on Groceries
Try spending just five dollars less when grocery shopping. Do it
for a month or so. Then practice spending seven dollars less during the next
month's grocery shopping. If possible, shop on your least busy day/evening.
These are all do-able. Not so much as to be overwhelming, and
they place you at a great starting point. If your food and grocery bills are
under control, consider other ways how you might take advantage of your *least
busy* evening or day to tuck away some money.
So, set your starting point now. What's your least busy evening?
Which *one* thing can you do, *one* time this week? Go for it, then do it again!
Savvy Saving for Busy Women author Darlene Arechederra inspires busy women to
put the fun back in saving. Her complimentary newsletter serves up heaps of
motivation with a unique, down-home style of writing. Join her today at
http://RatRaceRemedies.com