Personal Sacrifice to Save Money

When the whole family sacrifices to save money, the pain is shared and maybe the mutual suffering makes it easier. But when each member has to examine their own lives and personal spending habits, that’s where the real pain comes in!

There are indulgences, unnecessary things in my life that make me feel good. That give me pleasure. That  pick me up when I’m dragging. Things that seem to benefit me alone, and not the family as a whole. Those are the things I’m contemplating sacrificing for a season to save money.

Though painful, here’s where I found ways to cut my spending. I hope it inspires you to do your own inventory!

Starbucks

I’m frugal by nature and would never allow myself a $4 a day coffee habit, but now and then I do like to indulge in a really good cup of coffee. So a while ago I splurged on a Keurig single cup coffee maker. It comes to about .50 a cup and there’s not wasted coffee. Now and then I do make a Starbucks run, but I’ve recently decided to put $20 on a Starbucks card and limit myself to that over the course of a month or two. It definitely makes me stop and think whether I really need that over priced cup of coffee.

And if you have a Panera near you, make sure you sign up for the My Panera card. I’ve already earned two free lattes!

Acrylic Nails

I always envied women with long, beautiful, manicured fingernails. No matter how hard I tried mine always split and cracked. On special occasions I’d get a set of acrylic nails put on, but they wouldn’t last. The maintenance of those nails was something we couldn’t afford until about six or more years ago when my husband barter out the service. It was a dream come true to have beautiful nails that made me feel feminine and, dare I say it, sexy. I never thought I would be “one of those girls” who could maintain acrylic nails, and I often wondered when and if I’d have to give them up. How could I go back to shabby short nails?

But the time came this winter when my manicurist was no longer bartering. I needed to make a decision. Find someone else to barter with or pay cash. Those of you who get your hair and nails done know it’s not just about the service, it’s about the relationship! So I paid cash for a few months until I was convicted of spending $60 a month on nail maintenance. That’s when I decided it was time I sacrificed my nails!

Though I’m praying for some way to keep maintaining these nails, I’m willing to sacrifice ?and give them up for a season to save money.

Is there something you’re holding on to? Something you know that you can do without, but haven’t been willing to give up?

Couponing

I hate couponing! Not only is it a time stealer at home looking for coupons on the internet and printing them out, but when I finally go shopping it takes a 45 minute trip and drags it out to almost two hours! With couponing I’m sacrificing my time to help save my family money. And I do. $20 here, $35 there. If I was really coupon savvy I could save $50 and more on one trip. I’m working on that by using my coupons with the grocery circulars I used to throw in the trash. I’ve already written a post on what I’m doing, so if you think this would be beneficial to you, check it out!

What other ways are you saving money and what are you personally willing to sacrifice to help your family reach their financial goals?