Rediscover Your Money: The Three Rules of NOT Buying
These three rules have opened our minds to all the wonderful things we can do that cost absolutely nothing!
So you think you need to BUY something? I bet this thought pops into your head several times a day. It may be your morning coffee, your lunch, a pair of shoes on sale, a new couch, a shirt for your son, a green felt pen, a cleaning gadget, shampoo, a toy for your dog, groceries for supper, gasoline, a soccer ball, a picture frame, or a new craft supply. The list is endless. It is so easy to spend money. You don't even have to leave your vehicle to pick up supper for your family. You can order the latest best seller right from your computer keyboard. The smell of fresh baking in the grocery store ensures that you will stop in the bakery section before you leave. If you don't have the cash, no problem. You can use your credit card or the ever popular, buy-now, pay-much-more-later (much more money that is!).
Today, we are so conditioned by marketers and advertisers to believe that we need to buy to be satisfied. In fact, many of us buy something every day. When is the last time you have gone an entire day without spending a dime?
At Cindy's Porch, we have three rules we follow whenever we think "we have to buy something". These rules have saved us thousands! They have also opened our minds to all the wonderful things we can to do that cost absolutely nothing! The three rules are:
- DO instead of BUY
- SHOP at home FIRST
- PROCRASTINATE
First Rule: DO instead of BUY
DO instead of BUY is the most important rule. If you can open your mind to how you can DO something, instead of BUY something, you will be opening the door to treasures you never knew existed. You will rediscover the joys of family time, quiet time, nature, your pets, and yourself. For example...
It is movie night at your house. Every Friday night, you and the kids head down to the movie rental store to pickup a couple of movies and buy some chips, chocolate, and pop. On the way home, you pick up a pizza for supper. The evening is set for a great family movie night right? The cost: about $40.00. Let's change the picture a bit... Think "DO instead of BUY". You need to be creative. Perhaps instead of family "movie" night, you arrange a family "game" night. You dig out some of the board games that are in the basement (or a deck of cards if your kids are older). Then you look into the cupboards for snacks that are already in the home: pop some popcorn and mix up a pitcher of juice. Then quickly mix together a casserole and pop it into the oven. Supper will be ready in an hour. The cost: $0.00. Yes, you still had to buy the food for snacks and supper, but that is money you would have had to spend anyways. The actual cost of your family "game" night is zero. Put $40.00 into your CASH Stash.
Your son or daughter has been looking kind of bored lately. So you ask, "How would you like to go with mom (or dad) to the mall?" Instantly, he or she perks up, and you know it will cost you at least $50.00 before you get home again. Think "DO instead of BUY". You need to be creative. Ask your son or daughter if they would like to go for a walk or a bike ride with you. The cost: $0.00. The result, a few minutes of great conversation about whatever your kids want to talk about and a little bit of exercise. Try it. It costs nothing.
You are in the local pet store and you have just found an adorable plastic squeaky toy shaped like a fire-hydrant that you know your dog will love. DO instead of BUY. Put the toy back, go home, and take your dog out for a nice long walk. He'll enjoy that a lot more!
I was in New York City a couple of years ago on a business trip. I had never been to New York before, so this was an eye-opening experience. I was ready to "DO" New York. I went to the largest toy store in the world (and didn't buy a thing), I went to Macy's, Sak's Fifth Ave, and Bloomingdales (and didn't buy a thing). I walked up and down Wall Street, Canal Street, and more (and didn't buy a thing). I did however buy a 10-cent postcard at a store on Time Square. I wanted a picture of the Twin Towers so could put them into perspective when we went to pay our respects. That's it. So what did I DO in New York? I saw more toys than I would ever want to pick up off the family room floor, I saw the most glamorous store layouts, I saw some really cool furniture, I saw more clothing designs than I knew existed. It was amazing. I even saw a couple of Broadway plays (courtesy of our hosts). I had a wonderful trip. And it cost me a dime. There was absolutely nothing that I could have bought that would have made that trip more memorable.
Second Rule: SHOP at home FIRST
OK, you have tried to apply the first rule. And you have concluded that you can't simply DO it and will actually have to BUY something. Time for the second rule: SHOP at home FIRST. Take a look in your cupboards, your freezer, your fridge, your cleaning supply stash, the basement, and the garage. I bet you already have whatever it is you want to buy (that's how we all end up with too many candles, ketchup, bottles of shampoo, and extension cords LOL). If you don't have exactly what you need, see if you can substitute. Is it a one time only need? Check and see if you can borrow from a neighbor. Where we live, our family owns the extension ladder, another has the pickaxe, and the third has the wheelbarrow. We borrow and return. When you looked for something to hold your CASH Stash, you shopped at home first. When your kids went back to school, you checked your office supplies first to see what they could use.
We were recently invited to a potluck supper at the neighbor's house. I was supposed to bring a salad. "Where are you going?" my husband asked as I put on a jacket and gathered up my car keys. "To the grocery store," I answered. "I need to pick something up for the supper." Then I remembered SHOP at home FIRST. I just needed to use a little creativity. I looked into my cupboards and found potatoes. Then I checked the fridge: pickles, mayonnaise, an apple, carrots, celery, and a red pepper. Then I checked the garden: plenty of fresh dill and chives. I had all the makings of a delicious potato salad. And I didn't have to leave home.
Your freezer, pantry, linen closet, cupboards under the kitchen and bathroom sinks, basements, garages, and storage sheds are a treasure trove of things you can use to SHOP at home FIRST.
Third Rule: Procrastinate
You have made it past Rule 1. Then you applied Rule 2, and no, you cannot shop at home first. You have to go to a store. Time for the third rule: procrastination. You have heard that procrastination is a bad thing right? Wrong! At least not when you are planning on spending money. Let's look at a few examples of where this works...
You need a new coat: Yes, you still have a coat from last year. But the seed has been planted in your mind that you need a new coat this year. Been there, done that. We have all needed a new coat at some time or another. I have needed one for five years. I procrastinated for five years.
Procrastination does two things. Either you will find out that you actually didn't need it in the first place, or you will find exactly what you want at exactly the price you are willing to pay. I needed a new ski jacket. I have been wearing a jacket with my old company's logo on it for 5 years. It was ugly, but warm. However, there was no way I was going to pay over $300 for a "good" jacket and $100 for a junky jacket. I just kept wearing the old one until I found the right one. JACKPOT!! While we were on our last-chance camping trip, I happened to go into a ski shop. For whatever reason, they were clearing out last year's ski jackets. I bought a $550 GoreTex(TM) jacket for.... drum roll please....$35.00 (no that is not a typo!). It fits great and looks great. I am absolutely thrilled. Procrastination paid off!
You need to pick up something for supper: Procrastinate. There is a good chance you already have "something" at home for supper. There is nothing wrong with leftovers. An off-balanced meal is OK once in awhile. The goal is to only shop for groceries when you have a plan and a list. If you have to buy "something" you know you will buy "something" more than you wanted to pay for.
That's it. Three simple rules that will save you a ton of money before you even leave your home. Write them out and slip them into your pocketbook. Then, when you are lining up at the check out to pay for something, those three rules will remind you to think about what you are spending your money on.
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