$aving One Step At A Time

Saving money isn't always easy. Unless you inherited money or were taught from childhood the value of money, saving is not natural. Saving my money wasn't always easy for me either. As an adult, it was hard when the kids need shoes, the car broke down or someone got sick. Then boom, I was off track. Then it took me a while to get with the program again, even though I knew it was in my best interest to save.

How about you? Has setting aside money been an issue for you?

Let’s face it. Most of us weren't born with a silver spoon in our mouth. We learned our saving habits from our parents who learned from their parents. Most of us are able to save a little but not a lot. The difference between the middle class and the upper class is the value of money and learning to save. If you're reading this, probably you are in the same boat as I was.

So, how do you take that initial, small step to saving? Well, picture a child learning to walk. They learn to walk, one step at a time. They are determined to learn to walk. Every day, they struggle again and again as they attempt to make walking natural. Motivation. Determination.

They didn’t wake up one morning and begin walking ten miles that day. If they tried to do that, would give up walking for being too sore.

They began with baby steps, perhaps taking only one or two steps. Gradually those steps increased until at they were walking and maybe even running.

So you see, a child didn’t start out running. A child's starting point was taking that first baby step and then another.

And so it is with saving… one small step at a time.

First of all your savings must be compatible with your lifestyle. If it is done easily, it is better. So look for ways to save without becoming overwhelmed. Think about your previous commitments.
Make a list of all your expenses. Some are fixed and some are flexible. If your lifestyle is hectic, food may be one of your largest expenses. Eating out at lunchtime, not having time to pack the kids’ lunches, or eating dinner out several times a week all add up. Pick a time when it's your least busy time to get started. I find my me time early in the morning. I can get the meals all done while I'm writing these messages and checking on my business while everyone else is sleeping. I got use to getting up at 4:30 to go to work. So now I have that time.

Packing a lunch instead of eating out can be saving as well as healthier for you. Here's some examples of spending less on lunches:

a) Pick a time when you have less errands to run to pack a lunch for you or the kids.

b) When starting out only pack lunches on your chosen day. After about a month you can add another time that will fit into your schedule.

c) Immediately put away the amount of money you’ve saved through making lunches. That’s your reward! Or use that money and save even more by stocking up on sale items. You know what items you and your family eat on a regular basis. This way you are never without any food in your pantry or freezer. I buy items on a 12 week cycle. Each item is usually on sale during that time, so I take advantage of sale specials. The items that I buy with online shopping and have them delivered save me money also. It also keeps me from emotional buying when I'm at the store and see something that the store is trying to get me to buy. Even saving five dollars means I can do it again and again to save for that special vacation that we've been wanting.

By cutting out eating out as much saves tremdously. I found when I was tired and didn't feel like cooking was when I tended to want to eat out. Too busy to think. So I found time when I was least busy, I could cook a double batch of food and put it in a vaccum freezer bag. Then I have a backup meal already prepared that doesn't take any more time than pulling a frozen dinner out of the freezer and less time than getting everyone into the car and driving to McDonald's or the favorite resturant.

If your food and grocery bills are under control, consider other ways how you might take advantage of your least busy time to save some money.

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Now don't forget my previous talks of utilizing your income and cashflow. It might be easier to take your new income and do that while your paycheck is covering your commitments. Keep in mind that your long term goals are where the wealth is. Doing without means you can have something better later. Here's to your success.

Check out the Empower Me Dream Team or Prosper From Home.