10 reasons why the economic downturn is good for the waist line, diet and budget
The following list are a mix of light hearted and serious reasons why the economic downturn can be a good thing for us. But before you slate me for this post...please take it in the way it was intended....
1. There will be more use of telephone and video conferencing to speak to clients and colleagues instead of spending money on plane trips, hotel accommodation and eating expense account lunches / dinners. If you're not eating 3 courses 3 times a day along with the empty calories of alcohol that tend to go with these things, you are almost guaranteed to lose size, weight and gain more sleep and time at home as a result. Double bonus.
2. You walk more - if your car is a gas guzzler, then you should be tempted to leave it at home and catch public transport. This one also saves money on wear and tear of the vehicle and parking fees and fines too as well as fuel. If you are lucky enough to live inner city, or close enough to public transport - then you might even question the need to own a car in the first place. More walking (make that running to catch the bus / train) and you will soon be looking fitter, especially if you are prone to carrying too much - but this does give added weight training at the same time as cardio.
3. Downsize your car(s). Do you really need two 4x4's that cost as much to run as a small house? Save on fuel, insurance, wear and tear, replacements...you can still have small and stylish if you let your ego get out of the way.
4. Food - this one should not come as any surprise but eating out costs money. They have to buy the food and cook it for you so it stands to reason it would cost more than if you cooked the same thing at home - even taking into account the power to do it. And if you cook it yourself you know what is going into the dish - so - you can reduce the calories you consume too. Again good for both waist line and budget.
5. Growers markets - and whilst we are on the subject of food. Buying fresh fruits and veggies from a growers market is likely to be cheaper than the local supermarket. Buy the specials and the in-season and you will save money. You'll also be healthier too - if you eat it.
6. Coffee - I don't know about you, but I do enjoy my coffee. But I do object to badly made coffee. You can achieve great results at home - with the right beans and equipment. Most coffee shops sell the beans as well as the coffee, so if you want the taste without the expense - make it at home and save a small fortune over a year. Go on do the math - 1 cup of coffee per day x no of days in the year = about a thousand dollars. And I bet you don't just have a coffee when you're there either. If they use full fat milk, guess how many calories you'll save as a result of brewing it at home and using hi-lo or skim. Invest in a travel mug - and save hundreds of dollars each year and annoy your fellow travellers at the same time with the aroma.
7. Food - yes back to food again. If the budget is tight, you are less likely to spend money on treats and more on "proper" food than if you don't have money worries. And if there are no treats in the house, guess what - you can't eat them, especially late at night when you're watching the latest movie on download from the cable company.
8. Television - do you susbcribe to satellite TV? Are you paying for channels you don't actually watch? Cut them out and save money.
9. Shop around - for everything from insurance to toothpaste - you'd be surprised how much money you waste buying the same brand as you've always done. I always buy generic headache tablets (they have to be made from the same ingredients as their branded counterparts - by law). I save anything from $2 to $5 for the same amount of tablets, depending on where I buy them from.
10. Garage sale or e-bay some of the stuff you don't use / wear. Get rid of the clutter and make some money. Or if you prefer to give rather than make, then charity stores will gladly take the items off your hands. If you have a habit of impulse buying - then now is a good time to see what is lurking in your cupboards, drawers, wardrobes and dressers. It is up to you to decide whether to be embarrased by how much money you've wasted on things you've never worn or used. But it might make you think twice before buying things on impulse again.
Of course there are a lot more ways to save money, lose weight and downsize (and I don't mean just your house and car) as a result of the current economic crisis. So if you would like to share your favourite ways to save money etc during tougher times - add your comment here ....
With many thoughts
Elle
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Great personal development reading:
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Dr Seuss: Oh the places you'll go
And before you have another go at me - I think it is one of THE cleverest personal development books you can read -
"You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, towards a most useless place.
The Waiting Place....
and i'm sure you can add your own words to the next few pages
Utterly brilliant and if you haven' read it in a while, it's definitely one to borrow from the kids.
July 29, 2009 at 20:18
Reader Comments (1)
I'm hopeful that the recession will force people to examine their mad consumerist lives. A more thoughtful approach to consumerism is definitely needed.
Marie