Recently I have moved from contemplation to action in my budgeting goal. I gotta tell ya, it feels amazing. The feeling of being in control of where my money is going rather than worrying about how much of it I do (or don’t) have is amazing. For example, I gave myself $100 spending money per week (this means mini grocery shops, movies, beers, ice cream, etc.) and I take it out in cash at the beginning of the week and I don’t use my debit card at all. Wow, I did not even realize how big of a difference it makes.

Recently, my wife best friend Nat wrote this and offered to lend it to the blog which of course I am because it is wonderful. These are Nat’s thinking outside the box tips to budgeting. (It’s lengthy but amusing and worth your time!)

Recession or no recession, what 24-year old girl who lives on her own in one of the most expensive cities in the country doesn’t need to save money? I forgot to mention that I am in social work a.k.a. one of the most underpaid fields in my opinion.
Recently me and one of my besties have become obsessed with saving/not spending money. Here’s some of my suggestions on how to be frugal on a daily basis:

1) Rent movies at the library for free instead of at Blockbuster.

2) Sit at the bar instead of at a table when you are out with your girlfriends. It increases the likelihood of getting free drinks. (Note: This works. Trust.)

3) Save your Canadian Tire Money. So far I have got garbage bags and Swiffer refills for free. Now I’m saving for a Slow Cooker.

4) Pack your lunch every day. Even if you go out for lunch twice a week for a $10 meal, that’s $1,040 a year!

5) Instead of donating your unwanted clothing, use consignment shops and get money for them. In Calgary: Trends Fashion in Kensington. In Guelph: Wild Rose.

6) Buy your meat at Costco. But use your friends’ memberships.

7) Have board game nights with friends. They don’t (necessarily) require alcohol and they are SO! MUCH! FUN!

8 ) If you see a shirt you have to have RIGHTNOW don’t buy it. Wait a few days to see if you still feel incomplete without it.

9) Do you reeeeeeeally need a data plan? (Note: Yes I do)

10) If you have 10,000 prescriptions like me, shop around for the pharmacy with the cheapest dispensing fee. Hint: It’s not Shoppers Drug Mart.

11) If you hair is its natural colour, you don’t have to get your roots done every six weeks. You’re prettier au naturale anyways.

12) Eat your leftovers.

13) Buy a coffee mug and take your coffee with you each morning. One large coffee before work every day is $8.20/week, $32/month, or $1,700/year.

14) Buy your beer at the Superstore Liqourstore.

15) Babysitting is not just for 15-year-olds!

16) Have potluck dinners with your friends rather than going out for supper.

17) Use kijiji. My friend gets clothes from there and my dad bought a pontoon boat. I made a profit selling a pair of snowboard boots.

18) Who said PB&J sandwiches were only for kids?

19) Have a baby shower to go to? Buy children’s books at the dollar store. Babies don’t know the difference.

20) Steal pens and post-its from your office.

21) When you need (errr..want) something new to wear, raid your friend’s closet.

22) Wearing Lancome/Clinique/Chanel eyeshadow is unnecessary. Covergirl works just fine.

23) Call your credit card company and find low interest cards. My interest rate is only 9% versus the usual 19%. Having said that, pay off your credit card in full each month.

24) Use incentive cards: optimum, Esso, Petro, Safeway. They work.

And the things I will always spend too much money on:

1) Tea

2) Yoga/Spinning/Kickboxing classes

3) Acupuncture

4) Haircuts

5) Spoiling my niece and nephews

Thanks for hanging out with the Fiveblondes today, Nat! Great ideas.