Start investing 25% of your take-home income, and don’t touch the money for decades.
Don’t just eat out less; shop for food conscientiously by only purchasing what you need. Did you know we waste 40% of our food every year? Imagine how much money we are wasting. Buy what you need, and buy what you like. If you know you’re not going to eat those organic fruits and vegetables, don’t buy them. Also, freeze leftovers or other foods before they spoil!
Stop buying clothes just because you like what you see. Most of us have too many clothes. So many clothes, we struggle to decide what to wear because we have too many options. Downsizing and keeping a limited selection of clothing not only saves you money but gives you time back since you won’t have to spend it pondering what you’re going to wear for the day.
Drink filtered water instead of bottled water. You can easily spend hundreds on bottled water each month. Yes, it tastes incredible, and sometimes it’s pleasurable to give in, but it’s not necessary to drink bottled water all day, every day. It’s just a money waster. Get a quality filter, call it a day, and give yourself a little payday in return.
Limit your streaming services. If you haven’t used a streaming service all month, cancel it! Use free trials or bum off someone from your network of people you know. Streaming services add up quickly — especially with their consistently escalating prices.
Keep stuff in your house that you only use. It’s way too easy to fill our homes with seemingly kool junk, but the reality is, we don’t need it. We don’t need most of the stuff in our homes. And there is a thing called “overdecorating.” Save yourself some money and time on cleaning by implementing a minimal look in your home. Embracing minimalism is also embracing more money in your pockets.
Don’t buy the newest version of your technology every year. Upgrades are kool — especially if you can afford them, but they aren’t necessary. Furthermore, often the changes made to technology each year are minimal at best and not very noticeable. Save some time shopping and some bucks by infrequently upgrading your technology and other gadgets (e.g., your car). You really don’t need the newest version.
Watch your addictions. Many unproductive addictions (e.g., porn, sex, drugs, alcohol, shopping, impressing others, etc.) can become quite expensive. Implement self-discipline, therapy, and a 12 step program to defeat your addiction, which will save you megabucks in the long run.
Increase your income yearly while keeping your costs exceedingly low. Not only will you pocket more money each year that you can invest, but your networth will also exponentially skyrocket. You might even decide to take some time off from work for a while.
Don’t try to impress people with your clothes, the car you drive, the house you live in, etc. It’s not worth it. The only person you need to impress is yourself. It’s an expensive lifestyle when you’re constantly trying to impress others. Lastly, don’t covet what others have. Be grateful for what you have now. Gratitude is a virtue that will take you far.
Last Nugget
Desire less. The less you desire, the more you’ll have, and the more control you’ll have over your life.
Destiny S. Harris is a writer, poet, entrepreneur, teacher, and techie who offers free books daily on amazon. Destiny obtained three degrees in political science, psychology, and women’s studies. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or @ destinyh.com.
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This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. Not all information will be accurate. Consult a financial professional before making any significant financial decisions.