Baby Boomers - Excellent Ways to Control Your Monthly Expenses and Make Money Too!
Baby Boomers are coming to terms with the realities of life, the current state of the economy, and their health. I can't fix your retirement package and make it better, especially after the economic debacle of the last couple of years; but I can get you on the right track with your health, cash flow, and state of happiness. And perhaps, get you thinking in the right state of mind which can bring about positive results to help you face life with more enjoyment and less concern and worry.
First of all, understand that nothing, absolutely nothing, is the end of the world. I already faced many obstacles in my life only to come out ahead in every respect. I lost my house to divorce, but sold it at the peak of the real estate market in South Florida. Did I cry about it? No, because there were no choices to consider. Do I have a retirement package worthwhile? No, and life has gone on with or without me. I simply adjusted to my economic reality, and started living prudently and successfully in terms of health, monthly expenses and entertainment.
What we do with our lives will depend on the attitude that we adopt to make it all work out. The most important thing is to reduce your monthly expenses so that your monthly income is adequate to cover your costs without suffering too much in the process.
The most important thing is to eat well but not in excess. Big meals do not a healthy man or woman make. You need to cut out expenses that bring no value to you. If you smoke, that can be $100 a month or more that could be saved, for your own health sake and that of your family. If you drink beer or hard liquor, maybe you can reduce the consumption and take a savings on that also. If you have a habit which is counterproductive, such as gambling, you have to come to the realization that you just can't afford to lose money, especially if you don't have a job any longer.
Here are some excellent ideas to save you money, and also to make money safely and without the need to invest but just time and your vehicle.
1)Television/Internet Cable is a monthly expense from $30 to $100 which may include a telephone land line and 150 channels of useless news, movies, and sports. If you have cell phones in the family, you don't need a land line at home (unless you have to by contract). If television is your only source of entertainment, try to get a reduced plan and save some money.
2)Food is a major item in the family budget. Buying at a Dollar Store, Walmart, Target, and Sam's Club or other discount stores is the right thing to do. However, you might want to purchase the house cleaning products at a Dollar Store near you and save a bundle.
3)Rental movies are now going for $1 per movie for one night. You don't need to go to Blockbuster and pay $5 any more. Netflix is also a good deal if you like to watch many movies per month. Walmart has a Red Box movie machine, and they have all the latest hits for just a dollar. Many supermarkets, like Publix, have a Blockbuster $1 per night movie rental machines.
4)Purchase of clothing will be more economical by simply going to TJ Maxx, Marshalls or Ross's, for example. Why go to expensive Malls when you can go to any of these stores and get top brands for 50% to 70% off original price. Go to specialty stores like Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger, but visit these at the factory outlet malls.
5)Leasing vehicles is a major monthly expense, especially if you are 'name-brand conscious' and must drive any of these brands: BMW, Mercedes Benz, Lexus and Infiniti. Perhaps when you were gainfully employed with a salary over $150,000 per year is fine. Today, you might be out of a job, or retired, and your 401 K market value is drastically reduced, so it's time to come down to an American car, or a lower grade Japanese car (problem-free, that is) or a VW. I used to be an agent leasing vehicles to customers, and the savings can be from $300 to $800 per month alone by downgrading brands and adjusting your auto insurance.
6)Eating out can amount easily to hundreds of dollars spent needlessly. There are many restaurants which afford great food without all the bells and whistles and expensive wines, and you can still enjoy a wonderful evening. Make eating at home more enjoyable, and you will see that at the end of the month you will have money left over in your bank account. Go out for an evening, but make it less often per month. Applebee's is a great place for a family dinner, and they have specials all week long.
7)These are some ideas to make extra money on the side: tutoring students a school subject; dog-walking; teach English or a foreign language to clients; become a travel assistant; provide independent driver services; house cleaning; babysitting; bookkeeping services for small businesses (you may need to take a course in Quickbooks).
8)Your health can be one very expensive proposition after you reach your 60's and beyond. If you have invested in keeping yourself healthy up to now, you will enjoy your life a lot more over the years left for you to live. Exercising is the secret to good health, besides eating nutritious foods and granted that you don't smoke or drink in excess. These are few of the exercises that I would recommend: walking regularly, jogging, light weight lifting, push-ups, sit-ups, breathing fresh air for a few minutes a day, and biking around the block at least four times a week. Tennis, golf, racketball and basketball are great ways to exercise.
9)I am a big fan of taking daily vitamins and herbs, and that's why I don't catch colds or the flu
year after year. My secret is a daily dose of Vitamin C (2 grams per day); Echinacea (2 per day); Garlic (2 per day odorless); and Omega 3 in Fish Oil (2 per day). Best time to take them is in the morning with a glass of orange juice.
You have received a combination of ideas to get your budget under control and your health on the right track. I am the recipient of all of my suggestions which I put into practice many years ago. There is no need to suffer needlessly because you are running short of funds at the end of the month. Focus on getting family and personal expenses under control, and things will definitely improve for you.
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