by Caryna St. John

Created on: February 06, 2009

How to Live Well When Money Is Tight

In times of economic upheaval, the general advice to the masses is to cut back spending, be frugal, and avoid unnecessary indulgences. Although this advice is sound in terms of maintaining a budget and maximizing your use of income during tough financial times, there is a flip side to this coin. Even during financial difficulty, most of us want to feel as though we are still living well.

How can one live well when there is little money to be spent on luxuries? If your paycheck is not going as far, or you have experienced job loss, it is time to shift your thinking with respect to living well. Living well does not have to mean dining in expensive restaurants or buying lavish clothing. In fact, some of the best ways to live well do not cost a dime.

Below are some ideas to get you started thinking about ways that you can live well without overspending.

The Little Things Count

When finances do not permit luxury purchases, it is time to think of little luxuries that will keep you content and make your heart sing. For every person these things will be different. Perhaps you love having fresh cut flowers in the house from the yard. Maybe a particular decadent dessert to look forward to each weekend will feel like an indulgence. Or something as simple as having on hand a pitcher of homemade iced tea and lemon wedges for guests. Luxury is about how something makes you feel, not how much it costs.

Time to Clean House

When money is tight, it can be a great time to get your home into great order. Not only will getting rid of clutter clear your mind and help you to live well each day, you may find items that you no longer need that could be sold. When the urge to go shopping strikes, instead, break out a broom or rag and make your corner of the world sparkle. You will be surprised how much an orderly home will lift your spirits.

Rethink Your Outings

When money abounds, you do not have to put a lot of thought into your entertainment choices. Catching a movie, going out to eat, and shopping probably topped your list. When money does become a concern, you need to rethink what form your entertainment takes. Excursions such as a day at the beach, visit to the local library, nature walk, picnic lunch, or visit to a museum can be had for little or no money and will feed your soul.

These are just a few ideas to get you thinking about ways to live better during tough financial times. If you can learn to be more creative about how you spend your time, you will find that a lot of money is not necessary to live well every day. Some of the best extravagances in life are free.

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