by Brenda Halverson

Created on: March 07, 2009

If you want to grab someone's attention, start talking about money-their money! I have never had much interest in knowing how Wall Street really works, but now, apparently, the shenanigans going on there are going to affect me, and I need to make a change in my spending habits. With the current economic situation showing no signs of improving, we all need well-developed coping mechanisms to get through what could be a very tough time.

The websites touting tricks and tips to save money and spend wisely are almost too numerous to mention. I frequent them myself, and get many good ideas. It is and always has been a challenge for me to get the most value for my dollar, to ferret out the best bargains and to come home waving my sales receipt like a banner, proclaiming my shopping prowess. I can reuse aluminum foil with the best of them, and I cut my dryer sheets in half, too.

Sadly, though, for even the most dedicated tightwad, the thrill of saving eventually wears thin. Sometimes I get tired of checking prices, and waiting until my desired item goes on sale. I get tired of making dinner from scratch, and just crave a fast food fix, with all the associated cost and chemicals and trans-fats. I'm sick of "eating healthy". The truth is, I just want to spend some money-anywhere. It's like a diet that suddenly blows, and I just want to eat-anything. I am tempted to throw it all away because it is such hard work, and takes so much more thought and planning than the alternative. I know what I need to do, I just need a compelling reason to do it!

Knowledge is power, but dealing with the increasing costs of daily expenses involves much more than knowing what to do. It requires the rethinking of our relationship with money and a rethinking of our wants versus needs. Amazingly (and pro-actively), many have already embraced a frugal life style-by choice. They have learned to find enjoyment in tending a garden, line drying the laundry, and slow-cooking cheaper cuts of meat. They have changed not only their way of life, but their way of looking at life. They have learned to enjoy watching a sunset more than going to a movie-their priorities and maybe even their values have changed. In my own situation I did not get to have a choice. I had to get over thinking I was special and this should not happen to me, as well as stop comparing myself to others and what they can (or do) spend.

Am I perfect? No. Not even close. It is a process. I'm better at saving for the right reasons and not feeling sorry for myself. I still occasionally come home with two large frozen pizzas for our supper on the day I go grocery shopping, and justify that by saying we hardly ever go out to eat.

I don't beat myself up. None of us should. We are all learning, we are all doing the best we can. We need to help each other.

That's how we cope.

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