It's been a recent fantasy of mine to get rid of excess. I noticed that I have entirely too many bottles lying around. There is a cleaner for the countertops, dusting, stainless steel, carpet, and the stovetop under the sink. For the bathroom, there is cleaner for the toilet, mirror, bathtub, and floors. I'm pretty sure that is a lot of money spent on a big marketing scheme.
And I totally fell for it.
Having all these choices make cleaning a pain. It's almost as though I'd rather not even do it because dealing with all the different cleaners. It is out of control.
I've reduced my cleaning products significantly and am really happy with the outcome. My cleaning routine is very simplified and it makes it so much easier. It cuts cleaning time down a bunch when there aren't so many choices. Who says you have to use different cleaners for each crevice in your home? Oh right. It was the advertisements.
The easiest way to do this is to keep a few tools, and throw away the rest. Don't feel guilty about it.
Here is what I use now:
A wet rag with a dab of dish soap, or heavily diluted bleach+water mix for extra sanitation.
I use this on countertops, stovetops, toilet, and tub.
I simply dust with a damp rag. If you must have a shine, a tiny dab of olive oil does the trick. I don't go that far. That is just an extra unnecessary step in my opinion.
I know that some people do not like to use bleach and that is fine. Vinegar and water mix is a healthier alternative. I tried it, but didn't like it because my house smelled like Easter.
Seriously, cleaning is way more manageable now. I have zero guilt when it comes to getting rid of all the unnecessary bottles of specific cleaners. That marketing does a number on the checkbook.
Cash Stash: Earn $600 in 45 Minutes
Let's skip all the cute talk and get right down to business.
I just made and extra $600 for the year in 45 minutes. I can totally deal with time well spent. It was so simple and I know you are dying to know how I did it. Hopefully, I won't let you down since you already know how to do this on your own.
I switched car insurance.
Baam! Boom! And confetti falls. I sound like a cheesy salesgirl from the commercials. Perhaps I have heard people say "switch car insurances and save money" so much, I am immune to the effect. But truthfully, if you switch car insurances, you can save money. Maybe this is my 'ah-ha' moment as Oprah calls it.
Am I really so lazy as to why I have waited so long to at least inquire about this? Or, have I just simply been scared? I came to the conclusion that I have just felt fear of change.
It has been so easy for me to just continue the monthly withdrawal from my account to my current insurance company. But ever since I have been paying off debt, I realize that I could be saving tons of money!
It's so easy to do. I will give you a little guidance in case you are a little scared to venture out like I was.
Know your current policy: Look. I don't know what means what about insurance OK. I just know that I had a good policy. Since the information wasn't on my card for some reason, I called. And they gave me the info. You need to have this available if you want a comparable policy with another company. I stayed with the exact same thing I had.
Search or call around: I researched two other providers before switching. It is as easy as plugging your info in online. I plugged mine in at geico.com and was shocked to know that my coverage would be more than my current policy at State Farm. I swiftly clicked out of the screen and said no to geico.
Secure your rate: When you find a company that suits your needs and offers a lower rate, call them! The rate I found at esurance was so low that I thought it may be a scam. Much to my surprise, it was right! They went over my online entry and discussed payment terms and yadda yadda with me. I was able to answer all the questions over the phone. It is set up to take effect after this month is done.
Cancel your current insurance policy: Give them a call and let them know when your last payment will be. My policy was month-to-month so it was an easy cancel. However, if you have a 6 month contract or something, you must find out if there is early cancellation etc. because each company is different.
That wasn't so bad was it? After you do all the necessary steps, sit back, take a breath, and realize that you have made an extra $600 this year!
Keep in mind that your rates will be different than mine. Obviously. You may can save more or you may save less. It's still worth the little bit of time for a little yearly bonus. Also, I am not advocating you switch to esurance. This just happens to be the lowest policy for me. You could come across a gem elsewhere and I will just have to be jealous.
Happy savings and bonuses to all!
How to Shop at Thrift Shops
I could write posts on why shopping at thrift shops is exhilarating all day long. I have not always felt this way. My spending habits have been out of control for years. I loved going to malls and shopping name brand. Then, when I felt guilty about it, I would start going to Ross or TJ Maxx because I thought I was saving money.
The problem with that is I was spending the same amount, just bringing home a redonkulous amount of cheaply made clothes to stash in my closet.
I vowed to change my spending habits several months ago. I've been able to pay off all of my credit card debt since then. I didn't spend hours upon hours crunching numbers for a budget. No spreadsheets for me. I needed a simple approach.
The only way to save money or pay off debt is to simply spend less than you earn. I've tried to find a magic formula, but there just isn't one.
One way to seriously save money is on clothing and accessories. I'm not saying that I don't like a new item every now and then. But, when that urge arises I head to the thrift shop. The payoff is huge if you can figure out how to maneuver the thrift shop.
Know what you need: The buggy fills up way too fast if you don't go inside knowing exactly what it is that you are searching. It's fun to browse, but be careful; the low price will fool you into buying. Then, you are spending more frivolously and clutter you house with crap.
Do not buy something that is raggedy: Seriously, if the item is damaged, stained, holy, gross don't buy it. There are plenty of things to buy that aren't ruined. It's not worth it. It will not be used or worn, so pass it up.
Dig: I know. At first the thrift shop can seem overwhelming. There is so much to see before getting to that special gem. Enjoy the experience. Everything you see is an opportunity to explore. There are hidden jewels all throughout the store.
Set a time limit: This tip goes hand in hand with knowing what you need before entering the store. You can easily lose time while shopping. If you need a shirt and pair of shoes for instance, only shop the shirt and shoe section. Check out. Leave. Don't look back.
Opportunity to sell: Some items sell on eBay like nobody's business. You can find a lot of items that sell quickly. Look for those items as well before leaving the store. Immediately list on eBay.
Shopping second hand is really a great area to save money or pay off debt.
The photo above is an example of some really cute things that you can stumble upon. These shoes are practically brand new. It set me back all of $4. Not too shabby.
Your Closet Makes You Money
Everyone could use a little monetary boost every once in a while without having to take on a part-time job. With so many get-rich-quick scams that we all know will fail, generating extra income may seem impossible.
It's not.
You have the funds right in your own closets.
I've been decluttering around the house and have came to the conclusion that I have entirely too much stuff. I battle with the fear of letting things go because I may need it someday. Well, the someday has never arrived.
Clutter is a funny thing. We hold on to it for security. We tell ourselves that we worked so hard to obtain these items, when in fact, they are holding us hostage.
Clutter requires maintenance: You know, move those pairs of shoes here, pack them up there. Dig to the bottom of that basket to find that pair of shoes you have to wear right now only to be able to find one shoe and the other missing. Then, you take out all 56 pairs of shoes and dump it in the floor because you just know that other missing shoe is in there somewhere. The missing shoe is in fact a stilletto hill in the perfect shade of Valentine's Day Red that is so uncomfortable, but just so cute! Oh, there it is, in the underwear drawer. Hooray! Oh, wait a minute...I'll only wear these for about an hour and then I will have blisters and will need to change into my ballet flats. Better find them and bring them with me too.
And the cycle continues. Only now you have a huge mess and have to put everything back where it belongs.
Ugh.
Clutter does not make you successful: Things are just things. We don't show our friends and family our stash of old clothes, CDs and DVDs. We show our success by our character, love, and advice. Our inner self is what is important. No one really cares to see how much junk you have bought. Trust me on that one.
Clutter is exhausting: It takes a lot of effort keeping up with our belongings. We buy duplicates because we don't even know what we have. We cuss every morning because we can't find anything to wear. We pick up trinkets to dust under and around once again. We go into debt for things we really don't need or want to begin with. We don't know where to stop.
I know these things, because I have lived a cluttered life. Only recently have I decided to do something about it.
One of the first steps I took was purging unused items from my closet. I came across things that I wanted to get rid of. I listed them on eBay and something magical happened.
I made money. A good little chunk too, right at $600. It was as easy as taking a picture, uploading to eBay and describing the item, getting money, and shipping the package.
And it is awesome.
One Step Gets Everything Done.
There are a lot of obstacles to overcome if you make a decision to change.
Is that really true? No.
We have all heard this and believed it. I am one of them.
The crazy thing is, we develop these obstacles and hurdles in our minds. Our behavior changes and we develop anxiety. What is really going on here is procrastination.
Procrastination is not a hurdle to overcome. Putting off what we should be doing is done out of fear. Perhaps we don't know what the outcome will be. Maybe we don't want others to think we are going crazy, or we simply don't think we have the effort to make it work. We shouldn't be afraid - especially if it is good change that we are talking about. Overcoming procrastination is simple. We must take the first step.
If it is debt that is keeping you down, let it go. Stop spending so much. Bring your lunch to work. Don't by that shirt you don't need. Quit snacking on crap.
If your weight is getting out of control, go through your pantry and throw away the junk. Find snacks and recipes that are delicious and eat that. Take a walk around town.
If your house is cluttered and making you feel overwhelmed, declutter. Don't hang on to things you do not need. Stop shopping.
Move forward. You cannot change bad habits, pay off debt, lose weight, or clean house (you get the idea) without actually doing something about it. It doesn't happen on its own. You have to get the ball rolling. No one says that you have to have it all figured out before you begin.
Use a tool. Yep, I'm gonna say it. YOU are the tool, and it's the only tool you need. Move in the right direction. There will be failures, but that is as much of the journey as anything else.
If something doesn't work, stop. It's OK to quit. Why it was drilled in our minds as tots that quitters never win, I will never know. If you don't want to do something, or if it is simply not working, do something else. I'm not saying give up. I'm saying do something different.
Get excited. Celebrate your little successes. There will be plenty along the way. Take the time to do things your way.
Step-by-step transformation happens. It starts with action. Put yourself in locomotion and do great things. You might just freak yourself out at how awesome you really are.
Is that really true? No.
We have all heard this and believed it. I am one of them.
The crazy thing is, we develop these obstacles and hurdles in our minds. Our behavior changes and we develop anxiety. What is really going on here is procrastination.
Procrastination is not a hurdle to overcome. Putting off what we should be doing is done out of fear. Perhaps we don't know what the outcome will be. Maybe we don't want others to think we are going crazy, or we simply don't think we have the effort to make it work. We shouldn't be afraid - especially if it is good change that we are talking about. Overcoming procrastination is simple. We must take the first step.
If it is debt that is keeping you down, let it go. Stop spending so much. Bring your lunch to work. Don't by that shirt you don't need. Quit snacking on crap.
If your weight is getting out of control, go through your pantry and throw away the junk. Find snacks and recipes that are delicious and eat that. Take a walk around town.
If your house is cluttered and making you feel overwhelmed, declutter. Don't hang on to things you do not need. Stop shopping.
Move forward. You cannot change bad habits, pay off debt, lose weight, or clean house (you get the idea) without actually doing something about it. It doesn't happen on its own. You have to get the ball rolling. No one says that you have to have it all figured out before you begin.
Use a tool. Yep, I'm gonna say it. YOU are the tool, and it's the only tool you need. Move in the right direction. There will be failures, but that is as much of the journey as anything else.
If something doesn't work, stop. It's OK to quit. Why it was drilled in our minds as tots that quitters never win, I will never know. If you don't want to do something, or if it is simply not working, do something else. I'm not saying give up. I'm saying do something different.
Get excited. Celebrate your little successes. There will be plenty along the way. Take the time to do things your way.
Step-by-step transformation happens. It starts with action. Put yourself in locomotion and do great things. You might just freak yourself out at how awesome you really are.
Only One Way to Pay Off Debt
I am feeling somewhat refreshed after a long blogging break.
Personal growth seems to happen at the oddest of times, doesn't it?
There has been an uncanny sense of urgancy to get my finances and mess-of-a-self in order since my recent marriage a few months ago. I have always wanted to be the best wife and person I can be.
The last three months since we vowed a life of bliss together has been eventful. I have paid off three major credit accounts and have began decluttering our house something fierce. Finally, I am beginning to feel free. Free from myself.
This is a serious work in progress and it hasn't been an easy fix. It has been a daily journey these last few months.
So far, it's been worth the work.
Paying off these three credit cards didn't come super-easy, but it wasn't super-hard either. It was finding a medium between self control and contentment. Ah, those words that sound so precious, but so hard to actually live up to. Yes, those. And it takes both. Once they are put in action it is mighty precious indeed. I've learned a few hacks right of the bat that have been a life saver and I think it's worth sharing.
There is no perfect way to do it. I have spent so many hours researching how to get out of debt. Spoiler alert: there are nine million ways to go about this. All that time spent reading and not doing is a major waste of time. It's simple, really. Spend less than you make. How many spreadsheets, paper scraps, online programs (that cost money nontheless) that are available doesn't make a hill of beans. Know yourself. Know what is easy for you to maintain. Here is my personal formula:
Obvious? Yes.
You have enough already. Really. You have plenty of clothes, plenty of food in the freezer, plenty of things to do. Marinate on that for a moment. If you don't believe me, declutter.
Generate additional income. One word...Ebay. Use it. Additonal money made there transfers straight toward debt.
Be kind to yourself. This is a process. It will not happen overnight. It would be ludacris to think that. Savor the steps in becoming better. Get excited about the space and freedom you are getting. There is no pricetag large enough to compare.
I am not out of my journey yet. Not even close. But I do realize that the current mindset most of us have is more want and less need. Our generation needs to take back what is our. Freedom.
Personal growth seems to happen at the oddest of times, doesn't it?
There has been an uncanny sense of urgancy to get my finances and mess-of-a-self in order since my recent marriage a few months ago. I have always wanted to be the best wife and person I can be.
The last three months since we vowed a life of bliss together has been eventful. I have paid off three major credit accounts and have began decluttering our house something fierce. Finally, I am beginning to feel free. Free from myself.
This is a serious work in progress and it hasn't been an easy fix. It has been a daily journey these last few months.
So far, it's been worth the work.
Paying off these three credit cards didn't come super-easy, but it wasn't super-hard either. It was finding a medium between self control and contentment. Ah, those words that sound so precious, but so hard to actually live up to. Yes, those. And it takes both. Once they are put in action it is mighty precious indeed. I've learned a few hacks right of the bat that have been a life saver and I think it's worth sharing.
There is no perfect way to do it. I have spent so many hours researching how to get out of debt. Spoiler alert: there are nine million ways to go about this. All that time spent reading and not doing is a major waste of time. It's simple, really. Spend less than you make. How many spreadsheets, paper scraps, online programs (that cost money nontheless) that are available doesn't make a hill of beans. Know yourself. Know what is easy for you to maintain. Here is my personal formula:
Monthly income - all fixed expenses - fun, grub & gas
= Money paid toward debt.
Obvious? Yes.
You have enough already. Really. You have plenty of clothes, plenty of food in the freezer, plenty of things to do. Marinate on that for a moment. If you don't believe me, declutter.
Generate additional income. One word...Ebay. Use it. Additonal money made there transfers straight toward debt.
Be kind to yourself. This is a process. It will not happen overnight. It would be ludacris to think that. Savor the steps in becoming better. Get excited about the space and freedom you are getting. There is no pricetag large enough to compare.
I am not out of my journey yet. Not even close. But I do realize that the current mindset most of us have is more want and less need. Our generation needs to take back what is our. Freedom.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)