Running Saves Money

Through this financial journey I have embarked on, I have thought very hard on how to get there fast. Fast and financial freedom don’t usually come in the same sentence. Unless of course you win the lottery or get some big inheritance. Some people say there’s nothing to do for fun that doesn’t cost money. I felt the same way somewhat but there is tons of things to do. One of them of course is running. You feel like a million bucks after and it only takes creativity. You have the freedom to go where you want, as fast as you want and for how long you want. It is absolutely great. They say you have to replace an addiction with another addiction. That is the only way if you have one of these personalities. Instead of not going out as much spending money being bored at home. You must replace it with something, which for me is running. I have saved so much money focusing on this sport. It gives me a positive replacement that similar to my running goals that I want to reach. I have my financial goals as well. It becomes quite motivating. Try it out or at least find something to replace frivolous spending. Sports are great!

Top Ten Ways to Save

It seems like the world has been built on top ten lists and I felt it was important to contribute at least one of them. Mine is a bit more liberal and not as formal as most. But I figured this way it will be a lot  more entertaining.

My Top ten list is titled. ” Top Ten Ways to Save On Dating”. Some girls may think this a way for guys to be cheap, but i truly believe you don’t need to spend a million bucks to have a good time. If that’s what the girl wants she is not the girl for you. Unless your 60 and you are trying to be Heffner. Anyways here is the list. It pertains mainly to students or guys starting out in their careers.

Top Ten

10. Go for a walk with the girl on the beach or any where else remotely romantic.

9.Take her for sushi. All chicks love sushi and it might make you look cultured.

8.Check out the latest flick. This can be tricky however. It could add up once you hit the food stand. Analyze the girl first, if she seems like she eats popcorn and wants a five dollar pop. Just rent a movie.

7. Make her dinner at your place. If your place is ghetto then take her for a picnic.

6. Go for a late date, I’m talking after 9:00pm when she already may have eaten. All you will have to spend is money on drinks. Probably looking at around $50.

5. Go play frisbee or volleyball at the beach. It’s great to go for activities on dates and it takes a lot of the nervousness out of the date.

4. Comedy shows are a great date with girls. Lots of laughs, just admission fee and a few drinks.

3.Take a girl hiking. Great views all round and lots of good energy. Doesn’t take anything but a little sweat equity.

2. Aquarium or Zoo are great places to take girls. Lots of fun and we all know they love animals.

1.Volunteer with her at a charity. You will look like a hero and sensitive, while helping out the less fortunate. Doesn’t cost anything and you will get brownie points. Unless shes high maintenance and you might end up sippin soup with herbert the homeless bum.

These aren’t designed to be a cheap skate. They are just creative ways to take girls out on interesting dates without breaking the bank. The goal is to save and become financially free. Personality and  a little effort go a long way.

“you miss a 100% of the shots you don’t take”

Paying Off Debt

Well my first weekend went great. I came a little over budget but only by 10$ which is very reasonable for my first go. I can only improve from here.

I have now been focusing on how to pay off my debt. I have certain avenues that need to be paid off including line of credit and credit cards. Recently I read an article in a money magazine about paying off debt and the advice I read was great. Instead of trying to pay everything off at once, try focus on one thing at a time. Of course I am going to focus on my credit card because it is at 18% interest vs. 5% on my line of credit. And of course I am not going to continue adding to my mutual fund with this high interest debt lingering.

Will power is ok to use if you really have self control. But it is just far to easy to type in a number and hit payment or even swipe the stripe. So I have decided to take the old method. The way to prevent emotional spending is to hinder your opportunity to use it. I took a glass from my cupboard and filled it with water. I then placed my credit card in it and stuck it in the freezer. I have no idea what my number is and cannot see it now through the ice surrounding it. If I need to access it I have to spend time melting it and thus giving me time to think about what I am about to do. This is a tried and tested method that works for many people. So far it has worked wonders, I haven’t even thought about it and have only been paying it off.

Try it out and remember pay down your high interest debt first!

“what wouldn’t you try if you knew you couldn’t fail?”