Frugal Freedom

Written by Cheryl Johnson


That most of us are considered poor is no disgrace, but does us credit; for, asrepparttar mind is weakened by luxurious living, so it is strengthened by a frugal life.(Minucius Felix, 3rd century A.D.)

People who live a frugal lifestyle often live with less stress. Typically, those who take control of their money feel they have more control over their life in general. You've heardrepparttar 135007 old cliché "Money is Power." What most of us fail to understand is thatrepparttar 135008 power isn't in havingrepparttar 135009 money, or how much you have, rather inrepparttar 135010 ability to control what money you do have!

With that power comes peace of mind. It'srepparttar 135011 peace of knowing that all you have is truly "yours". With that peace of mind comes Frugal Freedom. Freedom from debt. Freedom from envy. Freedom from ridicule, shame, and loss. Loss of what you might ask. Sanity, for one thing. Trust me, whenrepparttar 135012 walls of financial ruin come tumbling down around you, it's easy to loose your sanity! And, no matter how much money you have, if you can't control it, you are headed for financial ruin. There are many stories of those who have become wealthy and eventually fell to financial ruin. These are people who let money control them instead of responsibly managing their money.

Much ofrepparttar 135013 transition from spendthrift to frugal is withinrepparttar 135014 mind. It's not so much a physical shedding ofrepparttar 135015 luxuries of life. Rather, it isrepparttar 135016 ability to accept that you don't have to "keep up withrepparttar 135017 Joneses." This can be a huge mental leap living in today's world of material values.

It takes an understanding of what you really need to be successful. Focus inward to what drives you to want more money. Is it necessity or just appearances that drive you to spend more, have more and, consequently, owe more?

Biggest Budget Blunders

Written by Cheryl Johnson


Does your budget never seem to balancerepparttar way it should? Are you constantly digging intorepparttar 134986 savings to make ends meet?

If you find that your budget isn't doingrepparttar 134987 job, then it's time to take a good look at essential components you might be missing or you have not allowed sufficiently for.

Some ofrepparttar 134988 biggest budget blunders are . . . . . .

1. Failure to plan for inevitable expenses

We all have irregular expenses that we naively refer to as "unexpected." Come on, is that flat tire really unexpected? Don't you secretly know that these things happen? Have you ever owned a car that did not need repairs or maintenance? If you have, you probably didn't own it long enough. The solution; Start counting onrepparttar 134989 car breaking down instead of hoping it doesn't!

The car isn'trepparttar 134990 only area we slight inrepparttar 134991 budget. Do you find yourself hoping and praying thatrepparttar 134992 hot water heater, washer, dryer, or some other major appliance doesn't need to be repaired or, worse yet, replaced.

Home maintenance is always a factor in our finances. Even if you rent, you probably have some home related expenses waiting to creep up on you.

These are just a couple examples of variable expenses that we often overlook.

When you considerrepparttar 134993 following other categories that could be included in this list, you can seerepparttar 134994 serious consequences this oversight can have on your budget. . .

  • Property, Auto, Health and Life Insurance if not paid on a monthly schedule.

    Even if you do pay monthly, you should try to save for a lump payment if at all possible. Most companies charge up to a $3 fee for monthly payment options. It doesn't sound like a lot but, over a years time it's $36 you won't be investing in their cause. I say, it's always best to invest in yourself. Don't you agree? Putrepparttar 134995 $36 in your savings!

  • Taxes - Property, Federal, and State - If you know you will have to pay Uncle Sam, prepare for it. If you value your home or other property investment, prepare forrepparttar 134996 costs. Don't scramble atrepparttar 134997 last minute to come up with enough to pay your obligations. It's likely other areas of your budget will suffer greatly, since these expenses have a high priority.
  • Clothing - Now, I can wear a piece of clothing 'til you can see throughrepparttar 134998 threads. I work at home, so I only have a few choice pieces for special occasions. I'm a no frills kind of gal. But, I have four kids. Do I expect them to stop growing or somehow not care how they look to their peers? Of course not! But, I'm working on it. Just kidding! I know that they will need more clothes, more shoes, more accessories....etc., etc., etc., etc.....

    I use every resource available to me to cut downrepparttar 134999 clothing budget, I know I must account for this expense. It will arise, whether I am prepared or not!

  • School Supplies - This is another one you just can't omit if you have kids. You can, however, use some clever money saving techniques and multiple resources to keep this expense to a minimum.
  • Pet Care - If you have a pet, you most likely have expenses that come with this beloved family member. Vaccinations, flea control, veterinarian, and food are just a few that come to mind. Again, minimizerepparttar 135000 costs by using all your resources.

    Tip: My local county animal shelter gives rabies vaccines for $5. Good for three years if regularly vaccinated. Does yours?

  • Gifts - If your friends, family, and kids don't care if they don't get gifts from you, if you've declared war onrepparttar 135001 holidays, or have a convenient hiding place when these occasions take place, then you can skip this one!

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