Living Happy With Low Money | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Living Happy With Low Money

No, you don't have to be unhappy just because you're on a budget.

15
Living Happy With Low Money
aol.com

We all know that college is a time for spouting out creative methods to live without spending copious amounts of cash. Regardless of if you're in college or not, however, cheap living makes everything a little easier. Here are some tips and tricks I've learned while at college, on a small budget or just with no cash to live a little easier but still maintain a healthy lifestyle. Corporate society will tell you that you need a lot of things, but with the right lifestyle, you'll be perfectly fine without most of them.

1. Mugs are your friend!

Cutlery and other dining wares can actually add to your costs greatly, especially if you're buying disposable ones. Spend what you must in the beginning, but make sure whatever you're buying is going to last you a long time. If you can't afford a whole set of cups, bowls, plates, forks, knives, spoons, etc... then just buy the mugs and maybe some reusable spoons (and I mean reusable as in many times, not twice). You can also ask for extra disposable forks and knives whenever you order out from restaurants. When it comes down to it, though, you can put pretty much anything in a mug and it will be fine: hot or cold drinks, soups, microwaveable "just add water" meals like oatmeal, hell you can even serve your spaghetti in that mug if you wanted to. Don't forget your dish soap, though.


2. The clothing game

Ladies, listen up: you can wear your bra multiple days before you throw it in the wash. If you sweat in it, it's a bit of a different story, but the point is to always make the most of what you wear because laundry can add up to be a big expense. You don't need a towel for every shower, either: the American Cleaning Institute recommends washing your towels after every five uses. Think about it: you're using the towel to dry something off that's already clean. Just make sure you hang it up to dry and don't leave it on the floor. Plus, depending on if you shower before or after bed, you can also get more wears than you think, usually 4 without showering beforehand. As for jeans, they can last about 3 or 4 wears before washing, sometimes even longer. One thing to keep in mind, though: wash your socks and underwear after one use!


3. Budget!

Everyone has their reasons for why they're short on money, but one of the excuses I hear most often is that people don't pay attention to what they're spending the little money they do have on. A really easy to way to budget if you're a beginner is to make a list in your phone keeping track of what you've spent and what you have left to spend for that week. You can categorize how much to allow yourself to spend, breaking your income into percentages (for example 25 percent goes to gas money, 25 percent goes to food, 15 percent goes to recreation, etc.). If you don't have an income but just a little bit of money left in your account that you have to make last, then again sort it out, prioritizing what's most important first. There are also apps to help you budget, and some banks give out registers to write down each expense and then calculate your bank balance post-purchase.


4. Use your savings account

This one is pretty simple, but USE your savings account! Even more, treat it like it's a guarded treasure with bodyguards and security cameras all around it. The money that you put in there is the money that waits until your checking account has hit rock-bottom. Savings money is what you use when you've been hit by a car or something like that. Don't touch it unless it's an emergency or you've been actually saving it for a big purchase, like a down payment on a house or a car.

5. Recognize what you need versus what you want.

A lot of people will decide to spend $300 on concert tickets because they "need" to see their favorite band, and then realize that they didn't save enough money to pay the rent. Prioritize what you spend your money on and stick to that list of priorities like it's your religion. Follow its every guiding light. Practice its rules day in and day out. You need food and shelter before you need those concert tickets- trust me.


6. Buy in bulk

Lots of kids have talked mentioned to me how they make multiple trips to the store per week. This adds up because of course each time you run there, you're A) Giving yourself another chance to get distracted and impulse buy something you don't need, and B) spending more in general whether it's on taxes or missed deals. Buying in bulk is more likely to give you better discounts, and save you the time of spending even MORE money on transportation running to and from the store every single day. Put together a list of things you need that you last you the week and go out on a designated day to buy all of it.

7. Check the expiration dates

When buying in bulk, make sure you don't end up wasting any food or money by not giving yourself enough time to eat everything you bought. If you're someone who eats a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, check the dates they're good by and plan out briefly in your head when you can eat what. If you realistically can eat all that food by those dates, get it. Otherwise, cut back on it and stick to the frozen food aisle for a bit.


8. The truth about organization

You don't have to be "an organized person" (this person does not exist by the way, it's just a trait that anyone can honestly acquire if they put enough work into it) to get things done. Getting organized is as easy as writing a list of what you need to do and then sticking to it. It's all up to the person on whether or not they want to stay dedicated, or fall and become a mess.

9. The boss key: Realizing what "it adds up" really means

I've mentioned the phrase "it will add up" many times in this article but what's even more important is actually understanding what that entails. What you must realize is that spending less is a gradual process that requires patience, and because of this, spending too much is an immediate process that thrives off of impatience. Little expenses such as that burger you ate because you were craving a burger and weren't even hungry at the time collect. It's important to view each and every expense- even if it's a ninety-nine cent pack of gum- as an expense the same as that $25 shirt is. Because what it all comes down to is if you're spending money or not.

10. You don't need a gym membership to get fit

Unless you're looking for a competitive side or you actually genuinely want personal classes, there's lots of ways to self-teach and take matters into your own hands. Run around a park, do some online research on specific toning workouts you can do (they are extremely abundant all over the internet) and look into nutrition. Little choices will all collect to give you one fit body.


11. Saving gas money

If you want to go for a drive to clear your head, go for a walk or a run instead. It'll allow you to do the thinking you wanted to do in the drive, and it'll also release some endorphins in the process. Try to make short trips if you can, avoid multiple trips by being more efficient in one, and look into public transportation as much as you can. Avoid the "my car is quicker" argument by practicing effective time management. You can also ride a bike and reduce your carbon footprint.

12. It's all in your own hands

Ultimately, this list is like a step stool to look out a window at a different lifestyle. It's your choice to stand on the stool and open the window, or to stay on the ground. Do what you will with the information that you are given, and continue to seek out more. Stay curious!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

184673
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

11056
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

455140
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24889
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments