Strategizing To Live Well In A Down Economy

If you are one (like myself) that is being or has been affected by the effects of the current economy, it may be time to step back and assess what can be done differently. Do you have less money coming in? Have you been layed off or downsized? Or possibly you just can't make ends meet on what you have coming in due to the increase in your outgoing costs for the basics like gas and food. Whatever your situation is, you will find there are many ways to reduce or help subsidize your overall living expenses. By the time many of us "wake up" to the fact that things are tough and maybe won't be getting better economically right away... we are in trouble financially.

There are things we can do to rapidly and drastically change our living expenses. You may have to go outside your comfort zones a bit, but tough times call for change. Time to strategize!

• Are you living in an apartment or home where you could bring in a room-mate? Can you open up a bedroom (and bath) to rent? Check your lease agreement and make sure you are not in breach of the lease to do so. Many apartment complexes will allow a new roommate as long as they register with the property management. Home owners can most often rent out a room or share their home without restrictions.


• Do you drive to work? With gas prices so high, it has been difficult for many to continue to commute independently. Seek out others at work who may be interested in car pooling. Many cities now have car pooling directories set up. Inquire with your community, town hall or mayor's office for available options. In some larger traffic dense cities like Atlanta, there are even monetary incentives for people to begin car pooling!


• Have a plan before you shop. No more are the days of picking something up when you have no idea what you are making (or bringing home) for dinner. Develop a menu and shop for what is actually needed. It costs far less to make dinner than eat out. It can go even farther if pre-planning is involved. Shop the sales and buy with the season. Google "budget meals", "frugal meals", and "tips for saving money on food" for lots of ideas to save on your food budget. But remember a sale is only beneficial if you don't succumb to the temptation to buy something you didn't need in the first place because it happens to be "on sale". Plan your menu and snacks and shop accordingly. Make the days of shopping on the fly a thing of the past. Now, you shop smart... you are on a mission! Huge savings can be derived with just a plan.
  
• Consider buying used instead of new. Check garage sales, consignment shops, thrift stores or http://www.craigslist.org/ for items that you (or your children) need. Often you can buy gently or rarely used items for a fraction of what it would cost you to purchase new. Consider that in a couple weeks or more your new item will be in the gently used category. How much more are you paying to have that new smell for 2 weeks? If you choose and shop carefully, you can buy almost anything at a far reduced price. Many people are selling items now to make ends meet. As always use good judgment and check it out before you buy. If your gut instinct says something "doesn't feel right" no matter what it looks like, don't buy it.
  
• Find more cost effective forms of entertainment. Don't just park yourself or your family in front of the TV! There are so many great things to do for very little money. Check you local paper for free events like concerts on main street or in the park. Check out nearby walking or hiking trails, waterfalls or scenic or historic areas you can explore and enjoy. If you walk into cool shops along your way, pick up postcards or ideas (note how something is made to duplicate it or just appreciate it's artistic value - but leave it on the shelf... :). Instead of going out to dinner at your favorite restaurant either go for the lunch specials or enjoy desert anytime after you have dinner at home (consider ordering water - beverages are often the most overpriced items on the menu unless you are going to be there for a while and make use of the refills). Cook out on the grill or better yet go to a park to grill or take a picnic and let the kids play on the swings. Find a park or public area with ducks & geese (be careful of the geese they can be a little aggressive at times) and feed them stale bread. (The kids will love throwing out a few pieces of bread in the water and watching the ducks clamor to get them.) Go camping (if you don't have equipment, consider borrowing it). Check out the discount movie theatres or special pricing deals (at times at off times such as Saturday morning before noon theatres will have strongly reduced prices). Go to an arboretum and enjoy the flowers and butterflies or take a paddle boat out on a local lake... There are so many great low cost things you can do if you open yourself to new experiences and discoveries. You might find that you have been missing out on a whole lot by taking the easy road (like a big meal out and/or movies out with all the super expensive eats) of "entertainment" for so long! Hey, have fun out there! If you don't feel like getting out... why not grab a good book or put on some music (or both) and light a few candles and relax for a while. Life doesn't have to be expensive to enjoy. The simple things, laughing hilariously at a silly joke, relaxing in a hot bath to candle light, gazing out over a lake or waterfall, watching your kids play in the park, reading a good book or writing a good book, painting a sunset or watching a sun rise or set... now that's what I call living at it's best!

For the more adventurous free spirits that are open to more creative and out of the norm alternative living ideas like RV and/or vandwelling... look for a feature blog article coming soon!

For now, enjoy life and explore new ways and ideas to save monies and you will not only make it through these challenging economic times, but you may find yourself a lot richer in a lot of ways far more important than the almighty dollar! And again I say: Have fun out there! Life is meant to be enjoyed. I think many times in the USA in particular we have come to equate enjoyment and happiness with the ability to buy things or do what we want when we want it... the bigger (or more) is better concept: Go off for the weekend and stay in a hotel and then buy the big dinner and then buy the mementos and before you know it that "relaxing" weekend away costs you several hundred dollars! Instead... how about camping out by a lake, river or waterfall and enjoy activities in a state or national park... Explore beautiful trails and sites, enjoy the sights and sounds of a meal cooking over an open fire or grill while people laugh and talk and share... And at the end of the weekend, still have money to put gas in your vehicle to get to work next week! And tell me who really experienced and enjoyed the weekend?

If we allow them to, the monetary challenges many of us are facing now, just may end up fueling the very best in us. What started out as "saving money" and making ends meet, could end up being the catalyst for positively life changing experiences. Awaken, breath... take in the simply wonderful choices in life.