Sure having New Year resolutions is great. They are a way to really make a commitment and turn intention into habit. But, the reality is that many New Year’s Resolutions don’t make it all of the way into a regular part of someone’s lifestyle. Usually, the commitment lasts only a few months, or sometimes only weeks or days.
Here are some ways that you can make sure that your frugal resolutions become frugal habits.
Be Specific and Vague
Having specific goals can certainly help you jump start and keep frugal resolutions. For example, saying I will bring my lunch from home on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, gives you something more to sink your teeth in. Saying I won’t spend as much on lunch this year doesn’t give you a clear game plan to follow, so you are more likely to fail.
At the same time, being a little vague in your frugality goals can also be beneficial. For example, if you challenge yourself to save at least $100 every three months, then you can determine exactly how to save that money in a variety of ways. This will start to train your to see different frugal opportunities. You can save that money by not eating out two or three times in that period, calling and getting a better rate on your insurance, giving up some of your premium cable services, etc. It is up to you to find what works toward that goal.
Frugality is Fun
With resolutions, we tend to be all excited at the beginning and then the goal can quickly become more of a chore. Instead look at it as a fun challenge. Brag about your accomplishments. Tell people when you only spend $30 for a bag of groceries, have an entire library of magazines that you got for free or get compliments on that great coat you repurposed into the latest style. Approach frugality as a form of entertainment–how can I get what I need for less or creatively use what I already have?
The more you practice frugality, the more it will become part of your everyday habits.
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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