Months before writing this, this writer chanced upon the blog of Daniel Suelo, whose personal advocacy is to limit to zero the use of money in the world. He has started doing this by becoming a positive role model of his own advocacy. Imagine living in a cave with so few possessions somewhere in Moab, Utah, for over 9 years now and making do with whatever comes his way by deliberately spending zero dollar. He even writes his blogs in public libraries and has been interviewed about his peculiar lifestyle. Inspired by Mr. Suelo, this writer believes everybody can live with so little money and work out something according to one's respective personal circumstances:
1) Budget, budget, budget.
Come up with your monthly budget. Tally down the items in your daily spending versus the money that you earn. As mothers have been telling their children, 'live within your budget,' which is easier said than done. Just come up with something that works for you so that you will know how much money you spend monthly, and how much money you earn to afford yourself your expenses.
2) Join support groups.
Befriend and go out with people who are known for their thrifty habits. You can always learn a thing or two from their habits, and subsequently design something that can work for you.
3) With the little money that you have now, you better start doing only those things that you personally want to do.
Spend your time only on activities that answer the deep desires of your heart. Time is the biggest measure of money, and to misspend your own time on activities that you don't really deeply care about, is just like throwing away your money or whatever little money you have in your pocket now.
4) If you will have to buy something for your own personal use or your family's use, buy quality and not quantity.
For example, if you will buy a pair of shoes, buy the pair known to be of best quality. Or if you still do not have the budget, wait for the sale period or just save until you have enough money to spare. At least, you are getting what you personally want, plus you are saving in the long run by using only quality goods.
5) Learn to de-clutter yourself from all other extra stuff you have in your home.
Give away the goods that eat precious space in your living space, both literally and figuratively speaking. Do a garage sale. Exchange them for something more useful for you.
6) Learn to cook and learn to do marketing of the ingredients at the best prices of the food that you love to eat.
You may host your own parties or events. Invite friends and acquaintances plus ask them to bring new friends as well. This approach will help make your own parties become the must-attend events and the-talk-of-the-town soon.
7) Give up personal services that you can do yourself.
Some examples: if you like massages then trade massages with others who know the art. Do your own manicure and pedicure if you are able to do so. Trim your own hair. Do your own housecleaning. Trade nanny services with others.
8) Continue building and expanding your network by making sure you attend and show up in events just as to meet new people, or join those you have known in order to reconnect with them in different social settings.
It is still very important for humans, being also known to be social animals, to build relationships even if they have little money. Learn to improve yourself better by getting exposed to others. Just keep away from spending needlessly during these events or going beyond your budget. One favorite tip: 'Have your meals first in your home before going to these events, or bring your own food if that works out. If you will need to buy yourself a drink, get basic drinks or plain water. Or just ask for whatever you can afford or within your budget.
9) Give up your credit card
Or just keep one for emergency purposes, which you will not bring with you whenever you go out of your home. One of this writer's friends, who never had a credit card in her life, is a good example. She was not stingy at all as she loved to spend on good food and fabulous clothes. She would just spend in cash and would be spending part of her money on her saving accounts. When she unexpectedly died from a terrible car accident, all her friends including this writer were just so surprised at the amount of money she had saved. This writer soon figured out soon that one of her secrets in spending contently with what she had, was that she never had to use a credit card in order to spend.
10) Start learning to be hungry.
Yes, as in learn to be hungry even if there is actually food around. This can be considered outrageously crazy but this is an effective tip in order to keep a lid on the part of your budget being spent on food. It is also a good way to go on a diet, which is just to limit down your food intake by just going hungry.
11) Maximize what you can get from shopping in thrift stores or discount stores.
Or preferably go shopping as much as possible in thrift stores. Try to gradually change your wardrobe by using second-hand clothes, or even making do with those clothes that have been hand-me-downs from some friends or relatives. You can actually buy a lot of other stuff from thrift stores, other than clothes or shoes. You can buy gifts, furniture, fixtures, appliances, many kinds of equipment, electronics, books, and some other valuable items that are worth being sold to any willing buyer at the best discounted prices. Pay a visit to the closest thrift store in your area, and check their current offerings.
12) Barter your services or goods you have in excess for other services or goods you need.
There is a variety of ways to do this depending on your circumstances.
13) Learn to love walking or take other modes of transportation other than having and driving your own car to your daily destinations.
Learn to take a walk most times as long as you are able to do so, unless when you are so tired. As soon as you realize that you have spare time, just walk part of the distance in going home or going to your destination.
14) If you can help yourself from having no pets, start it now.
Or you may just prefer to do work as a pet-caregiver if you love being with animals or if you like to have pets. Pets cost money to maintain. And to reduce using your money on them, consider not getting one.
15) Give up communication gadgets that you have in excess.
Or downgrade the plan you have. Or consider just using the public phone system to communicate with others. Or just use the internet if that works for you.
16) Go only to free events that are happening in the place where you live.
Or even organize one with your friends and everyone else in your network. If you will have to be going to events to help you network and build your contact, show up only in parties where there are free food or drinks (or offered at prices you can afford). This will help you greatly minimize spending the little money that you still have.
17) Keep on reading about other people who have lived with very little money.
Some of them have even written and published books about their experiences and lifestyle. Some even have made money from spending any or little money at all. The titles include: the series of "The Cheap Bastard," Barbara O'Neill's "Saving on a Shoestring," among others. Do a google on the subject and you will be given a list of pages that you may want to read and consider implementing in your life.
Try the tips now. Or better yet, come up with your own list and then share them here. Everybody needs all the help they can get!