Healthy Spending

Think of managing your personal finances like dieting:

• Calories in/calories out - You only have a certain allotment of calories in any given day. Consume as much as you burn and you'll maintain your weight. Spend as much as you earn and you'll break even.
• Losing control of your weight - Getting into the habit of not exercising and consuming too many calories is far easier than beginning a diet and exercise plan. Similarly, it is far easier to spend money than to cut back.
• Avoid crash diets - When beginning a new routine to obtain a healthier lifestyle, it's important to be realistic. You won't eat salad alone three meals a day for the rest of your life. Smaller, less drastic changes are much more likely to keep you on course and avoid the dreaded binge. As they say: everything in moderation. When trying to cut back on spending, it's much more realistic to implement small changes and set long-term goals than to immediately give up on spending on things you enjoy.
• Know what you're putting in your body - Anyone that has tracked calories has had that moment of shock when something he ate had far more calories than he estimated. Tracking calories typically has the consequence of helping people not only better understand how many calories foods have, but helps people avoid overeating. It's also important to track what you spend. This goes beyond just a checkbook register. Truly tracking how much you spend on a monthly basis on things like groceries, gas, dining out, and clothing will allow you to have a much more robust understanding on where your money goes and where you can begin to make small changes to cut back.

About This Blog

I have a piece of paper on my desk with notes all over it. A few weeks ago, I randomly began contemplating the idea of starting a blog about ways I've found to save money while not feeling as though I'm depriving myself of the things I enjoy. I quickly dismissed the idea as I figured I'd start the blog, then quickly run out of motivation or topics to discuss. To prove it, I began to write down the topic ideas that were top of mind. I had three.

I kept the note on my desk. Randomly, an idea would pop in my head and I'd write it down. Before I realized it, the note paper was full and the ideas were still flowing. The more I wrote, the more excited I was about sharing my thoughts with others.

We'll see how long the motivation lasts. We'll see if anyone reads this. In the meantime, I'll have fun documenting something about which I'm passionate.

With this blog, I intend to share some tips and tricks I've found to live a more frugal life. I simply intend to share small changes you can make every day that will add up to big dollars over the long term. My personal philosophy is that I look to save money so that I have more to spend on the things that matter most to me.

This isn't a blog about how to live on $1,000 a year. It's not about how much to budget or what you need to save to retire at 35. I am not a financial expert or a life coach. My approach will not work for everyone. Take the tips you want and apply them and disregard the things that aren't for you. And always feel free to leave a comment with your feedback and your personal tips on living a more frugal life.