Instant gratification has changed how society shops and spends money. Credit used to be difficult to come by, what was broken got repaired, and luxuries were just that: luxuries. Now, folks can easily sign up for credit cards, purchase a car or house online, and spend money on things that end up in the trash. People end up being so trapped by instant gratification that they end up in debt.
Each person has the power of choice. I chose to attend a university I was able to afford while working through school. I chose to purchase my home in an affordable area. Brian and I choose to pay off our credit cards at the end of each statement. We did not purchase the latest and greatest car or tech gadget. We are choosing to live a life well below our means. Avoiding instant gratification has allowed for us to plan for affordable domestic AND international travel, max out our retirement accounts, and increase our emergency savings fund. Ultimately, this allowed for us to spend our time and money doing the things we truly want to do.
Indulging in instant gratification isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can be if it means sacrificing your health and well-being, whether financial or otherwise. You can make the choice whether or not you can afford to indulge. The power of choice gives you the ability to reach for your freedom or tie you down.
Here are 5 choices you can make TODAY to save you money:
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Cut cable:
Cable costs can be well over $200 annually. Cutting cable doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice watching television. There are many more affordable options, such as Netflix, Hulu, or even an antenna for basic TV.
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Meal plan with weekly ads:
It’s never a good idea to visit a grocery store hungry. Even so, going with a meal plan is much better than going without. Before your trip, take a few minutes to check out the sales in your grocery store’s weekly ad and compile your meal plan with these sales.
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Layer up:
Even though it’s currently winter, Brian and I keep the house around 55 degrees and layer up so we don’t spend too much on our electricity bill.
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Review and close recurring payments:
Take a moment to look over your credit card statements. Do you see any recurring payments for services you don’t necessarily need or use? It’s time to close these accounts!
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Negotiate insurance:
When was the last time you negotiated your house or car insurance bill? It doesn’t hurt to give your insurance company a call to see if there is any wiggle room to bring your costs down.
What choices have you made in your freedom adventure?
