Living on a Tight Budget – Part 4

One of the most challenging parts of living on a tight budget is learning not to waste so much. There are some simple ways not to waste and there are some ways that take more effort. Every little bit helps, though.

For starters, it is so easy to waste food. I try to keep my fridge pretty empty so that I use everything that is there before it goes bad. If I do not use something on time, I know to either not buy it again or not buy so much of it. It can be easy to get bored with the food choices, but that can be changed by changing the way we think and speak. I can think, ‘I am getting so tired of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches’ and let that become my reality, or I can think ‘I am so thankful that I have food to eat and a fridge to put stuff in.’ This keeps things in better perspective.

If you need help remembering how good you have it on a shoestring budget, visit some homeless people or help out with a homeless ministry. I am always a lot more thankful for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches after that.

Another tip for ‘waste not’ is to keep organized so you know what you have and what you need to accomplish your tasks. It is annoying when I pass by the cooking oil section and think, “Oh, I think I need some of that.” Then I come home and find two unopened bottles. Keeping organized and remembering what you have helps out a lot.

If you want to go farther, keep your house at a lower temperature in winter and just wear more clothing. I am someone who gets cold easily, but I have found that I can keep the house cooler just by changing a few activities. First of all, I like candles and candles produce heat. Lighting enough of them helps warm the house. I have also found that if I lift weights or exercise a bit, that warms me right up. I also like curling up in blankets. The less heat I can pump into my house, the lower my electric bill is.

Then there is the rule of ‘half’. Sometimes instructions tell us to use much more than we really need to use. I have found this to be true when I do laundry. I will usually put one fourth of a cup or less of laundry detergent in my washing machine and my clothes still come out clean enough for my satisfaction. The same can often be said of dish detergent and shampoo.

I also suggest walking instead of driving to places close by. Or get a bike for longer distances. The way gas prices are increasing, it is not a bad idea.

On the more extreme side, I have heard of people who will fill buckets with shower water while waiting for the shower to get hot. That water can then be used for other purposes like watering a garden. There are many ways we can learn not to waste which cuts down on bills.