Frugal February goes like this: don't buy what you don't absolutely need. Revolutionary, right? I know, but it's a habit a lot of people tend to forget, and ITE (ding!) it's a skill we need to work on much more vigorously. Here's a few tips for joining in on Frugal Feb:
- Before heading to the grocery store, shop your fridge, freezer and pantry. Meal plan, and buy only the items you really need. Make it a game to see how many meals you can come up with using only what you have on hand. I've been playing this game a lot recently on my other blog, Delicious in Season, so check it out if you need some inspiration.
- Put away your debit card. Set a budget, grab some cash and buy the necessities. Seeing the cash in your wallet drain is much more emotional than the obliviousness of swiping plastic.
- Take the time to work at home, decluttering. You knew that would be in here somewhere, right? See if you can find any discards that are salable, and make a little cash. Spend some time simplifying your home while simplifying your budget -- your wallet and your home will both breathe easier.
- If you DO see something you want (and you will), write it down, or take a photo with your cell phone. Give yourself some time to cool off of the shopping high before deciding whether you really want to purchase it.
- If you haven't already, spend a few minutes getting together your paperwork for filing taxes (and hope for a refund!), file all 2009 receipts and bills, and start new files for 2010 receipts and bills. You can learn how I organize bills here and receipts here.
- Finally, make the Valentine's spirit last all month long. Spend quality time with your family, make some homemade cards and a cool mixed tape/CD, and tell your sweetheart you love them enough to save some cash.
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1 comments:
I love Frugal February. It allows me to slow down, take stock of my finances and my spending, and just say "no"! And if that fails, we move on to Miserly March. ;)
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