Simplicity by Sunny

Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.  Benjamin Disraeli

I’m the kind of person who doesn’t feel (at all) guilty about eating bon-bons while soaking in the tub, literary posh in one hand and Chianti in the other.  Laziness, in my opinion, is required for a life worth living.  But the day I was laid-off was not an appropriate time for bubbles and chocolate.  Despite the four-month warning I’d been given, despite how emotionally drained I was, and despite having no idea what my Plan of Action would be, I made immediate changes to my finances.  And to habits that require money. 

Although my lifestyle and priorities are different from yours, I wanted to share these changes anyway.  And if you have ideas for living on the cheap, don’t hesitate in sharing them with me!  I’m determined to become Madam Sunny ~ Master of living elegantly & happily on barely any moolah.

1.  I put Netflix on hold.  This was tough because I have an emotional attachment to my queue list, but instead of canceling it outright, I used their option of placing my account “on hold”, which can be done for a maximum of 3 months. 

2.  I visited my barista and told her she wouldn’t be seeing me for a while.  I love my barista.  Her personality is a better wake-up device than espresso.  I stopped by and let her know that I wasn’t abandoning her, but wouldn’t be around as often.  I’ve since cut out fancy coffees during the week.  I’ve found an excellent substitute (Sunny can live without fancy coffee, but not without any coffee!) for my summertime iced coffees.  I use a Melitta single-serve coffee maker  – it’s RED, which further sweetens the setup.  It sits on top of my 16 ounce mug, which I fill half-way with double-strength coffee.  I allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes as the heat blows off, and then fill the rest of the cup with ice.  Perfecto! 

3.  I reset my A/C and purchased a box fax.  I love A/C.  It’s one of those luxuries that I consider a necessity.  My tolerance for heat has lessened after my years in Florida, but even so I increased the temperature in my apartment and purchased a box fan for $10.  I’m still chillin’, just at a lower cost.

4. I researched good wines under $8. The soon-to-be unemployed need the luxury of intoxication. I’ve got a list of wines under $8 that are reportedly decent.  I’ve already found an ally in Barefoot’s $6 red zin. 

5. I made a list of extremely cheap eats to make at home. Since I don’t cook, it’s not a complicated list. On it I have different forms of the peanut butter sandwich, pita pizzas, chips & salsa.

6. I electronically bookmarked the weekly ad for my grocery store, so I can plan ahead on how I’m going to feed myself with only a little bit o’ money.

7. I filled out an application for refinancing my car at the credit union, where the rates are cheaper.  Hopefully it’ll save me on my monthly car payment.

8. I paid the remaining balance on my car insurance. There wasn’t a large amount left and paying it now saved me $15 in transaction fees that are normally added in with the smaller monthly payments.

9. I needed an oil change for Eddie. I found an online coupon at the dealership that reduces the cost to less than the Quickie Lube.

10.  I listed my digital camera, hiking gear, and a few other valuables on eBay.  Although not entirely necessary at this point, I feel better liquidating stuff sooner rather than later.  And it’s not as awful as it sounds.  I have a 8 MP digital camera in my Android phone, and I still have the ability to go hiking.  Life hasn’t lost its meaning, just some of its accessories .

11.  Using yelp.com, I created a list of cafes that are located within 5 miles of my apartment.  I can drink my Saturday & Sunday cappuccinos while using free Wi-Fi, but burn less gas (a.k.a. money) doing so.  I tend to drive around like a gypsy (perhaps my worst remaining complication to my otherwise minimalist existence) and need to chop down my gas expenditures.

12.  I created a list of cheaper living arrangements if I should need to move before my lease is over, either because it’s too expensive for my next income level or too far a commute.  I can break my lease for the tune of $1,500 + 30 days’ notice.  It’s impossible to know which will be better - to stay or to go – but I’ve already got some ideas ready.  There are roommate and sublet options listed on craigslist and inexpensive studios downtown.

As a minimalist these past three years, I’d already simplified my finances.  No cable TV or Internet.  No gym membership.  No contracts that require sweating over, except my apartment lease.  When I sat down with my monthly budget, I wasn’t nearly as overwhelmed as I expected.  No difficult phone calls to make or panic buttons to press.  For now I’m doing all that I can do.  I’m cutting back and changing my expectations.  I’m having fun, too, as I learn to blend frugality with contentment.

I’ve been hearing about a website – mint.com – that helps you manage your finances.  All of my favorite bloggers have mentioned it, so this morning I checked it out.  (It’s Monday, after all, a day when catching up on blogs and writing personal emails take priority).  It’s not a new site, I’m just a slow poke with technology, and have finally decided to become progressive.

Wow!  My entire financial life was uploaded onto a beautifully designed webpage….in 2 minutes.  It logs into ALL of your accounts and displays EVERYTHING in one place.  It’s *simple*.  Yum .

If you’re looking to control your finances, design a stronger budget, find a way to fund your dreams, or simply get a better of view of where you stand financially, I recommend checking this out.

mint.com (Where Moolah Becames Minty, Like a Julep!)

Since 2001, I’ve spent an average of $1,000/year on coffee drinks.  After figuring this out, I knew I needed to cut back.   Actually, it wasn’t so much a “need” as it was a “want”.  I didn’t want to spend a fortune on coffee.  Over these past nine years, I’ve spent roughly $9,000 on java.  Ouch.

For over a month now, I’ve given up The Costly Bean.

It was a lot easier than I thought it’d be,  Perhaps our fear of withdrawal is worse than the actuality.  I’m not anti-fancy-coffees.  To be without them forever would cause unbearable pain, so I treat myself on the weekends.  Looking forward to that Saturday coffee - which tastes much sweeter when not consumed daily - helps me stay focused.

This is the first time I’ve been able to break my coffee habit, despite wanting to for the past several years.  What changed?  Well, I sat down and created meaningful goals for myself.  One of those goals is simple, but it’s been around for a long time.

Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to ride in a hot air balloon.  Every year I’d plan to do it, but always stopped myself.  ”Naw, it’s too frivolous.”  But I’d say this as I ran to the nearest cafe, eagerly shaking out my money for a caffeine fix.  Not anymore.  This year I’m going for it.  Balloon rides are expensive, upwards of $250, but this is only a fraction of the $1,000 once spent on coffee.  (Did I mention the balloon ride includes a champagne brunch?  For me, champagne trumps coffee.)

Knowing myself, though, how will I prevent another wimpy excuse?  With a simple solution:

The Mason Jar

Any day that I don’t purchase coffee, I put $3 into the jar.  Without exception.  The jar is filling quickly, the curled green bills growing like a potted plant.  This is my balloon money. 

Each of us has some item/activity where we overspend.  But how much, exactly, are we spending?  Is it worth it?  Could that same amount, instead, fund a dream you’ve always had?

Using a jar to stash spare change is a tried-and-true trick.  When we vow to “spend less” and “save more”, it’s a worthy pursuit, but intangible.  You have no physical connection to it.  But when you cut back on a specific habit – coffee, cigarettes, drinks after work, cab fare, etc. – and put those savings into The Mason Jar (or Going-to-Cancun Jar), you see it.   It makes the process come alive.

I encourage you to cut back (not eliminate) on something pricey, something you do daily or weekly.  For every cab ride you don’t take, deposit the $15 you would’ve spent.  If you normally have two drinks at your favorite martini bar, and you cut back to one, put that $15 into the jar as soon as you get home.  Make sure you always have enough cash on you to make this possible.

Don’t count the money, don’t obsess over what’s in there, and don’t even think about dipping into it.  Just add to it, faithfully, everyday.