Financially speaking, we're probably in different places. If we're on the same pace that's great, but even if we're not we can learn so much from each other.
You may or may not need the frugal living tips that I share, but like we used to say on the old AOL Tightwad board, take what you can and leave the rest. Learning from each other is how we will grow the most financially.
If you're looking to make changes financially in 2019, make this the year that you invest your time learning new ways to save money and really learn about frugal living. A new year can be your fresh start and all you have to do is take the first step.
Read blogs, websites, and books about frugal living. Join one or more of the hundreds of frugal living groups on Facebook. Check out movies and books from your library on the topic.
Although we may already know many of the frugal tips that are shared, rereading them will help you to stay motivated in the new year. I know many of my friends reread the Tightwad Gazette every year for inspiration.
Some of my goals for the new year are repeated from years past and for the new year include:
- Buying only what I truly need
- Living within my means
- Increasing my income and savings
- Avoiding consumerism
- Living debt free
One of my goal's for many years was to avoid consumerism. When I did go into a store this year for Christmas even I was surprised at how many things I saw that I hadn't seen before. That's what staying out of the stores will do for you. :)
I've been blessed with a good salary and a spouse that also makes a good living. However, we are close to retirement for him, within 5 years hopefully, and have a daughter still to put through college. We still have charitable priorities that we don't wan tot cut back on and would like to travel, even if short get aways. Every penny is needed to achieve our goals. You are so right that we still all can learn from each other, use hat works, and share our success that might be useful to others. Thanks for this post, Belinda.
My goal is to further avoid consumerism. I admit that has been hard this year since we began building our house. It seems that every week I have to go to some store, spend about two hours to pick things out. Yesterday it was lighting. After this, I feel like the only store I will want to step foot in is a supermarket.
Good goals - basically the same here. I want to learn more and do more for myself as well. I think we all learn bits and pieces from each other and that is wonderful. The fugal community is definitely a lovely sharing group of folks!
- - Save MORE (I was okay in 2018 but could have been better.)
- - Spend LESS (That did NOT happen) :( I am a spender by nature. (A spending ban on WANTS is in effect for 2019)
- - Go to gym 2-3x a week (epic fail in 2018) With a job that now accounts for a longer overall day, something had to give. :( Also, the fact that I broke a bone in my back last February and the recovery has been slower than I hoped. :(
- - Eat better (I had my ups and downs with this one)
- - Lose 20 pounds (that did NOT happen)
- - Less time online. (that did NOT happen)
- - Read at least 60 books (that DID happen, but I had challenged myself to read 100 books and I came up 15 books short)
- - Declutter, declutter, declutter (that is an ongoing process)
I would like to finish up decluttering. I have made a huge dent in it, but did slack off. But that is also a frustrating process when you see how much you have purchased that was either never used or used once. I have also been staying out of the stores as much as possible. I do not need to bring more into this house.
I love reading books, forums, blogs, and learning about how others save. Sometimes I learn new tips, and other times I find inspiration and motivation.
My main financial goals for 2019 are to save for retirement and pay down the mortgage as much as possible. I'm also in a decluttering mode. :)
I've been blessed with a good salary and a spouse that also makes a good living. However, we are close to retirement for him, within 5 years hopefully, and have a daughter still to put through college. We still have charitable priorities that we don't wan tot cut back on and would like to travel, even if short get aways. Every penny is needed to achieve our goals. You are so right that we still all can learn from each other, use hat works, and share our success that might be useful to others. Thanks for this post, Belinda.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Sam. I'm glad you liked it. Best wishes to you and your family on meeting all of your goals. :)
DeleteMy goal is to further avoid consumerism. I admit that has been hard this year since we began building our house. It seems that every week I have to go to some store, spend about two hours to pick things out. Yesterday it was lighting. After this, I feel like the only store I will want to step foot in is a supermarket.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great goal, Meg. The end result will be totally worth it, as you know. :)
DeleteGood goals - basically the same here. I want to learn more and do more for myself as well.
ReplyDeleteI think we all learn bits and pieces from each other and that is wonderful.
The fugal community is definitely a lovely sharing group of folks!
I agree, Cheryl. This community we helped to build is a great group of sharing folks. :)
DeleteI agree with your goals, and echo Cheryl that I want to learn to do more for myself.
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful goal. :)
Delete- - Save MORE (I was okay in 2018 but could have been better.)
ReplyDelete- - Spend LESS (That did NOT happen) :( I am a spender by nature. (A spending ban on WANTS is in effect for 2019)
- - Go to gym 2-3x a week (epic fail in 2018) With a job that now accounts for a longer overall day, something had to give. :( Also, the fact that I broke a bone in my back last February and the recovery has been slower than I hoped. :(
- - Eat better (I had my ups and downs with this one)
- - Lose 20 pounds (that did NOT happen)
- - Less time online. (that did NOT happen)
- - Read at least 60 books (that DID happen, but I had challenged myself to read 100 books and I came up 15 books short)
- - Declutter, declutter, declutter (that is an ongoing process)
Those are all great goals, Kelly. You did great reading 85 books this year! I love that.
DeleteI would like to finish up decluttering. I have made a huge dent in it, but did slack off. But that is also a frustrating process when you see how much you have purchased that was either never used or used once. I have also been staying out of the stores as much as possible. I do not need to bring more into this house.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with meeting your goals Belinda!
Thank you, Mary Lou. Good luck with meeting yours too. Decluttering is a great goal. :)
DeleteI love reading books, forums, blogs, and learning about how others save. Sometimes I learn new tips, and other times I find inspiration and motivation.
ReplyDeleteMy main financial goals for 2019 are to save for retirement and pay down the mortgage as much as possible.
I'm also in a decluttering mode. :)
Good luck with all your goals, Belinda.
Thank you so much, Nil. Best of luck to you too with all of your goals for 2019.
Delete