Changing You Spending Habits
It is every one dream being a millionaire and retiring with a
healthy bank account, but how many people can actually achieve
it? So few. This is largely due to lack of discipline in
building up their retirement fund and poor spending habits.
While building a retirement fund requires time, you can
accelerate the process by making incremental but positive
changes in your spending habits. Here are seven ways that you
can change your daily lifestyle for more positive results in
your spending habits:
1. Have you ever noticed how much time you spend sitting in
front of the television? The longer you sit, the worse it is for
your blood circulation. Besides, the time you free up can be
used for more useful tasks such as teaching your kids or
learning a new skill.
2. If you are an avid reader, use the public library whenever
possible. There is no need to buy the latest books from
bookstores like Borders unless it is in a category that does not
fit into a public library. The public library will usually
acquire popular titles after some times. Learn to be patient.
3. If you are a smoker, start reducing the number of cigarettes
you smoke each day. Over time, you may be able to quit smoking
completely. Besides saving money by not buying any more
cigarettes, your health will also improve and this means a huge
saving in your medical bills.
4. Use a bicycle if the destination is within 30 minutes by car.
This helps promote blood circulation in your body and also
reduces environmental pollution. You can also save on gasoline
and parking fees.
5. Dine at home more frequently. You can experiment with
different recipes and save some money at the same time. In
addition, you are honing your cooking skills and this could be
very useful for the home dining experience.
6. Bring your own coffee to office. Many people like to drop by
a Starbucks or similar coffee outlet and end up spending a few
dollars or more on a cup of coffee. You can potentially save
many dollars each week just by making your own coffee at home
and bringing it to your work place in a Thermos. Besides, who
knows, it may taste better than the coffee from Starbucks! If
you really cannot live without Starbucks coffee, consider
getting a Starbucks rebate card. You can use the rebates to
redeem free Starbucks coffee after you have accumulated enough
points.
7. Do more walking than driving. If you can reach your
destination within ten minutes by car, consider leaving the car
behind and walk instead. You will save money on gasoline and
parking fees. This can easily add up to a few thousand dollars a
year. These seven ways are a good start for changing unhealthy
spending habits. However, you should continue to research and
incorporate more healthy habits that contribute to the building
of your retirement fund. By re-investing the money saved from
using these tips, you will be many steps ahead of your peers and
closer to your retirement goals.