I’ve been reading up on cheap skate ideas. Pinning ideas on how to eat on $40 dollars a month. I’ve also tried to reuse, make my own, eat out less, and shop on a budget…that’s a joke, I do two out of five.
Instead of a what to do, we can all learn from our mistakes, so here’s a few of mine. Perhaps it will help you put some bucks away in the near future and maybe I will get a little better at it too!
Here’s Things Not to Do When Trying To Save Money
- Don’t cut your own hair, I mean if you’re not good at it at least. I currently look like a giant eraser. After a recent haircut I decided it needed a bit more spice but instead of going to a professional, I took my hair into my own hands…literally …and a little dull pair of scissors. Whaaa laaa…epic fail and it’s gonna cost me. No…It’s not the first time I’ve tried something like this. YouTube girl, I failed your course. Lesson learned: Don’t cut your own hair!
- Don’t think because you have a freezer full of beef you’re gonna save money at the grocery store. Yes, it does help but not so much if you keep throwing things in the cart. “We have all that beef, I can spend more on Topos and fancy olives”. ChaChing….Lesson learned: Don’t keep things in your grocery cart.
- Don’t try to make your own air conditioner when you live in Texas. Again..YouTube and several trips to the hardware store. PVC pipe and a big ole fan just didn’t cut it. After several attempt and trips to town, we finally broke down and bought a swamp cooler. Heat stroke will cost us more.
- Don’t make several trips to town. Even with fuel at an all time low, several trips to town means several stops at the gas station. Town trips means dollars. There’s that Sonic ice tea and it’s real hot…and it’s for the ride home…etc…etc….! Avoid town when possible…well for lots of reasons but this one is a good too.
- Don’t make promises that cost money. I really love to make life more fun and think that needs to include trips to the ice cream shop in Ft. Davis. It’s only ice cream right..well, it’s ice cream that’s 45 miles away and it’s never just ice cream. Make ice cream at home. Don’t think all the fun has to come with dollar signs.
- Don’t keep up with the Joneses’. Oh wait…that’s my maiden name. I hate to break it to you but my dad was a cheap skate. He did have things but he worked really hard and paid his own way. His kids did too! So don’t just buy things to keep up appearances. Love your life and what you have. 1 Timothy 6:6-7 “But godliness with contentment is great gain…”
- You really don’t need five or six switch out horses for daywork, ranch work, or whatever. Just trade with your spouse, son, or a close friend…nobody will notice. That’s a joke people….it’s a favorite in our house. Again, we use what we have and pray the good Lord will provide when it’s time to get a few more. You really can make it on less.
- Don’t forget to tithe. We learned this lesson years ago when we were barely making it. And then, one day we stumbled upon Malachi 3:10 about bringing the whole tithe into storehouse so that there’s food in His house…then it said He would open the floodgates and pour out so much blessing that’s there’s no room to store it.
- Finally, when saving money, don’t worry about if a few things come up along the way. A root canal, pair of glasses, heck even a new pair of boots because yours has holes. Get what you need and then get back to it.
”Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12
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