How many times a week do you go shopping ?
Do you pop into the store just to pick up one item and walk out with ten?
If you do you are sooooo normal.This I must admit is my weakness . In order to combat a habit I know can be destructive to my spending habits, I do what suits me and I hide. Yep, I hide from shopping...
I've found over the years that if I just stay away from the shops then there is a high chance that I will not spend....and therefore I save. Sound nuts??? I realize hiding is not suitable to many, but what I suggest you try is at least one week a month, rather than doing your weekly big shop, do not buy anything except for the necesities like bread or milk.( This does not mean chocolate!!!!! even though I realize it could come under that catagory) but for one week you just dont spend. This is when you clean out your fridge and make a stew or casserole with the nearly spent veggies, raid the pantry for items you bought and never used, dig to the bottom of your freezer and cook that mystery meat.It's an opportunity to de-clutter the cupboards and freezer.
If you generally spend $200 to $300 a week for your groceries, then on your shop free week only take $30 (or $50 to start) in cash with you to buy the necessities. This equates to a possible savings of $2200 to $3500 for the year. Could you use this money to pay off that Credit card? Put it towards those jobs around the house that have been just to expensive. Put it towards something that will help reduce more bills else where eg solar panels, water saving drip systems around your home or replace your electric water heater with gas. The ideas are endless. All you have to do is cut back one week a month on your grocery bills.
Of course if your grocery bills are higher then you will really save some dollars.
Have a go at this shop free week and let me know how you go. It's a great feeling regaining control of your money. I have done it for years and I know it works.
No comments:
Post a Comment