Cheap Living Tips

By Michael B Bowman

Just because you don’t make as much as someone else doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to enjoy the same things they do. Things like education, home furnishings, and the gym can still be enjoyed by you regardless of your income. You just have to be creative.

Here are some ideas.

Home furnishings: They buy art masterpieces. You buy clearance framed art work from a furniture store going out of business. You all have artwork hanging in your home.

Education: They go to Ivy League schools. You go to the community college and get a grant. You all received a college education.

Internet: They have high speed wireless internet in their home. You get online at the library. You all have the same access to the wealth of knowledge and answers that can be found online.

Books: They have all the latest books mailed to them through their book club. You borrow all the latest books at the library. You all read the latest books, magazines, and newspapers.

Gym: They go to the swankiest gym in town. You get all the same exercises done using your body weight and objects at home or the park. You all get a workout.

Cars: They buy a brand new corvette. You buy a 10 year old Camero. You both drive a sports car.

Food: They buy organic vegetables and fruit at a specialty grocery store. You plant a garden in your back yard. You both eat healthy, organic food.

Specialty clothing: They buy a $300 football jersey at the teams signature store. You buy an exact replica at an online auction for $40. You both wear a high quality new football jersey.

Entertainment: They go to the newest casino. You organize a poker game with your friends at your home. You both enjoyed a night of gambling.

Television: They buy a 42″ flat screen TV for $900. You buy a 27″ box TV from Wal-Mart for $188. You both get to watch the Steelers game!

Landscaping: They hire a crew to cut the grass, trim the hedges, fertilize the yard, and plant new flowers for $2,000. You do all the same things for $200.00 on your own this weekend with materials you bought on sale. You both have a good looking front yard with curb appeal.

Clothing: They buy the newest summer fashions in June and the winter fashions in September at full retail price. You plan ahead for next year and buy this years summer fashions right after Labor Day and this years winter fashions right before Easter at 75% off. You both wear new, fashionable clothing.

Movies: They buy a new release movie each week on Blu-Ray or DVD for $25.00 each. You rent movies online for $2 (about $8 a month) and get unlimited access to thousands of new and older movies. You both see new releases each week.

Home accessories: They buy cooking utensils, candle sticks, vases, and other miscellaneous household accessories at the mall or specialty shops. You make those same purchases at the dollar store. You both have equipped and decorated homes.

Decorations: They buy their new Christmas decorations in November at full retail. You buy your new Christmas decorations marked for clearance on December 26. You both have a stockpile of beautiful Christmas decorations in your home.

Alcohol: They pay $2-$3 a beer at the bar. You pay 75 cents for every beer you bought at the distributor. You both are drinking, but you can buy beer for two of your visiting friends as well for the same amount the other guy is paying at the bar for just himself.

Lunch: They go out to a restaurant for lunch everyday at work. You go out to lunch as well; you take a packed lunch to the park. You both went out for lunch.

New car look: They achieve the new car look by purchasing a new car. You spend the afternoon washing, waxing, sweeping, scrubbing, shining, and detailing your car. You both have glistening cars sitting in the parking lot at work.

Baby clothes: They buy brand new baby clothes every three months for their infants. You use hand me downs from friends, co-workers, and “them”. Both of you have babies in cute clothes.

What else can you think of? If you see someone doing or purchasing something that you believe would bring enjoyment or value to your family’s life ask yourself how you can replicate the same result within your own means. When you think outside the box, explore, research, and ask questions you will be pleasantly surprised at just how many things you can have and do as well without going into debt!

Learn more ideas at BowmansMoneyCollege.com

Mike Bowman

BowmansMoneyCollege.com

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