Artist on a Budget - A Habit which really saves me money.

My husband and I are on a budget. It is not fun, but it works well for us. Every month I plan and assign money to what I know we will be needing..

But we are only human. Every month, honestly, there comes a time when either of us (okay, to be fair: it's mainly me) really really NEEDS something, which has not been planned for. For example, last month my husband NEEDED an electric handsaw. Yesterday I decided (after watching some inspirational YouTube videos) that I NEED a new sketchbook. The reasons for wanting these items are always valid (we have been on a budget long enough to automatically eliminate big spontaneous purchases). The electric handsaw would save my husband lots of time and energy with his woodworking hobby. And the new sketchbook could finally get me to - well - use a sketch book to experiment and practice with my pencils.

Now you should know: I drive by shops, which stock anything we could possibly desire, on my way home from work every day (dangerous!). All I would have to do is stop, hop into the shop and buy that much needed item (plus another one or two items - even more dangerous!).

Instead, my standard immediate response (to myself and my husband) has become:
Okay, I'll see how I can fit it into the budget.

This requires me to look at the numbers, estimate how much the item will be and how it will affect our monthly savings - a step which is always sobering and often painful.

In addition to this I easily find some reason why the following day it would be too inconvenient to stop at the shop: dinner will be especially time-consuming, I left work a bit late, or maybe I have to go to the shop later that week anyways. Most times, the motivation is gone when I am in the car, tired from work and ask myself: to shop or not to shop? For once, my laziness works to my advantage.

As it turns out, delaying the purchase in many cases makes us realize that we do not actually need the item all that desperately after all.

When I asked my husband about that electric handsaw the next time I worked out the budget he simply said: "Actually, I am fine with using the (non-electric) saw. It's okay."

That just saved us around $100.

Today I am still fantasizing about the new sketchbook. I could go to the shop after work, but... I will be at the shops anyways tomorrow. Might as well get it then. And instead of walking all the way to the fancy bookstore, why not pick up a cheap one at the discount store right next to the supermarket I have to go to. I can always get a fancy one next time.

That just saved me $25.


Nadin