5 Ways to Make Living on a Budget Fun
If you think words like budget and fun don’t belong in the same sentence, you may need to shift your thinking on budgeting. Sure, living on a budget isn’t as fun as taking a great vacation abroad, but it doesn’t have to be depressing either. In fact, if you put a spin on how you approach budgeting and make it more of a game, you may even find yourself looking forward to it. These ideas may not work for everyone, but here are five ways to make you look at spending and saving money in a whole new way.
1. See how long you can go without spending a dime. Make a game out of waiting to see how long you can go without buying anything. Can you wait another day before grocery shopping? How about cleaning out your closet to see what hidden treasures you may have instead of buying a new outfit. Look at it as a challenge and see how long you can go without spending even a dime. Or see if you can find another way to get what you need without buying it.
2. Discover hidden money in your house. Living on a budget isn’t just about saving money; it’s also about finding money that you can use to supplement your income. Do you have any old sports equipment that you no longer use? Sell it on eBay or Craigslist. Clean out your closet and take your gently used clothing to a consignment store. Some will even pay you cash on the spot so you don’t have to wait until it sells. Create a competition within your household to see who can make the most money by selling off their excess clutter.
3. Find a free activity to enjoy every week. Entertainment can be costly. Going out for dinner and drinks adds up. Even a family night at a budget movie can get costly once you add dinner, movie snacks and going out for ice cream afterwards. Check your local area for fun and free activities like festivals, nature centers and museums. Challenge yourself to find one new free activity every week.
4. Create a budget accountability group. Something that you don’t enjoy becomes more fun when you do it with friends. Create an accountability group and get others together to compare notes about how they’re saving money. You may find it easier to stay motivated with other, like-minded friends participating. Start a Facebook Group with your friends to share ideas and articles you find that everyone can benefit from.
5. Use an app to keep on track. There are plenty of apps that can help you track and manage money; making the process of sticking to your goals more fun. Check out the app store on your phone to find one that suits your needs. Some even “reward” you for your great progress!