Season’s Greetings readers! Here we are in December, just a few short weeks before 2022. While we are all gearing up to celebrate the holidays, we are starting to deal with the inflation situation that the 2020 lockdown left us with.
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So, if you are looking to stretch your dollar. Here are a few tips you can use to do just that.
First, make a plan. I know, I know, you’ve either heard this one before or you’ve already been planning things out, paycheck to paycheck. While it can be frustrating to hear the same old thing, the planning drum is one that’s worth beating. Planning ahead helps you spread out your expenses so they are easier to swallow.
Planning also includes making a budget, if you haven’t done that already. Believe me, I realize most people hate making budgets because it might remind them of how many expenses they have and how much money they don’t have. I get it. However, if you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.
Just remember that you are not your money or your bills or your job, for that matter. Your value and worth as a person has nothing to do with your bottom line. If you can set aside the emotional part of it while you manage your finances, you’re well ahead of the game!
This is also a big part of getting your holiday shopping done. I’ve done a lot of yapping on that so, just check out my YouTube channel NCVTV for holiday shopping tips if you are interested. That’s an expense that we could all use help spreading out, for sure!
Second, remember your mother told you to share. I’ve seen more and more accounts of people figuring out how to share expenses in order to beat inflation. For example, now might be the perfect time to get a roommate to help you share your living expenses. This could also help you beat the “bubble blues” by finding someone you can live with while this pandemic continues to shrink out social outlets.
Third, it’s time to get creative like they did back in the 1930s. We have a long tradition of figuring out how to stretch a dollar, here in the United States. I’ve been looking for ways people saved on food expenses back in the day and some of them were pretty creative. For example, I recently came across a recipe for mock apple pie that uses Ritz crackers, cream of tartar and a store-bought pie crust to make a pie that tastes just like apple.
Of course, this is just one example of how to get creative and stretch your dollar. There are plenty of other ways you can find to save on all kinds of things. The trick is to put your mind to it and figure it out. These days we call it hacking your expenses. To me, it’s a matter of perspective. All it takes is putting on your ingenuity hat and getting down to business. I firmly believe that where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Finally, if you are really open-minded, you might look around and see a need that you could fill or a problem you could solve. Who knows? You might even start a business helping people get something they need or solve a problem they might have. Where some might see struggle and lack, you might have a bigger vision and see opportunity. It’s all in how you see it.
Let me know if you have any comments or suggestions on any of my social media accounts. I know folks need all the help they can get right now so, let’s spread the word on dollar stretching tips!
P.S. Make sure you check out my online courses, books and resources, too! Investing in your money management education is an investment in yourself. That’s the best investment you’ll ever make, I guarantee it!. Don’t forget my weekly Facebook live videos on Facebook.com/newcashview, Instagram @joyalfordbrand and on my YouTube channel NCVTV. You can catch me on Thursday evenings after 9:00 (Eastern Standard time), for my weekly NCVTV episode. They are packed full of useful and entertaining money management information! If you’ve missed any NCVTV episodes, you can see the latest on newcashview.com or you can check out my YouTube channel and get caught up! You can get there by clicking here. Remember, like and share the NCVTV videos on Facebook and all your social media platforms, so others can benefit from them, too!