Starting Fresh: Necessary Evils and Luxury Goods

Welcome to the Simply Creative blog. Here, you'll find tips on simple things to make your life easier, more productive, more creative, and occasionally even more environmentally friendly. As I'm embarking on this journey myself, you'll learn with me and we can trek through this world together!

My first item of business is to cut down on spending. I, a not-so-recent college grad, have a low-on-the-totem-pole job and have been living from paycheck to paycheck in such a way that I actually cringe as my online bank account information comes up on the screen. It is no way to live, that's for sure. I tend to buy something I want when I want it; yesterday I spent $45 on a haircut (but it looks and feels SO good!) and dropped another $9 on a candle and a red stoneware pie dish (which I have already used).

My problem is not the purchasing of items; I am, in fact, a frugal shopper and proud of my bargain-hunting capabilities (which I inherited most definitely from my mother, the Queen of All Things Bargain--"Look, I found this brand-new espresso machine at the salvage store for $14.99!"). But, I buy when I don't need to buy. I lump things--red stoneware, for instance--into the necessity category that should not ever fall in the necessity category.

So, here's some advice from one struggling young debtor to another.

1. Write down all your "necessary evils." Rent, car payment, tuition payment, cell phone, car insurance, food, and perhaps cable internet. (How else would I make this blog happen?)
2. If there is anything you can do to cut those costs, do it. If it means you bump your cell phone down one plan, or combine with your roommate for a family talk plan, make it happen. I, for instance, am thinking of talking my boyfriend into dial up internet connections. hah.
3. Take note of your "luxury goods." If your online bank statement allows you to look at a spending report, take a long hard look. How much did you spend in restaurants? Write it down and try not to get depressed. How often did you purchase a beverage that cost more than your meal? Write it down. Did you use more gas than normal to fuel that guzzling car? Yep. Take note, my friends. What does it say under "retail spending?" Did you have to buy those sunglasses and that red stoneware pie dish? If not, write it down.

Begin there. Tomorrow we will sort through the needs and the wants, and decide where to cut costs together. Ideally, you'll have wiggle room in your budget to splurge on a $5 bottle of wine or save up for that crafty project you've been thinking about. Me, I'm saving for ultra-strong magnets and silicon glue. More on that some other time.

Here's to us, starting our budgets out fresh!