We’re all looking for ways to live our values and have our spending align with our priorities. The only question is: how?
It seems that every day something else is vying for our attention. Many families have been delaying expensive purchases because of uncertainty and turbulence. If you’ve been thinking about how to spend according to what matters most, consider 3 key ideas.
There are so many ways to identify your priorities and achieve savings…here are my top 3 favorites.
Eat Less Meat
If you’re looking for a big solution, eat less meat.
It may seem like an unusual place to start. However, if you shift from eating meat, you will save money on your grocery bill. How much is entirely up to you?
Please don’t take my word for it. Instead, run a personal experiment. Make a move in the direction of eating less meat by initiating a Meatless Monday. Use this day to experiment with eating more vegetables, grains, and whole foods. No meat. All-day.
Then, check your grocery bill. Do you notice a difference?
One friend told me she saw an immediate drop in her bill of 30%.
When you’re eating less meat, you’re not just saving money. You’re also supporting the health of your family. You’re introducing vegetables and whole foods that your children and spouse may come to prefer.
Besides, you’re supporting the earth. It takes a lot more acres to feed a cow than it does to grow enough vegetables to feed people.
And that’s not all. You’re also contributing to not killing innocent animals. Many cows are raised and slaughtered in inhumane conditions. By opting for vegetables, you are helping guide the direction towards the compassionate treatment of animals.
So, let’s say you go for a Meatless Monday and see the benefits.
Why stop there? You can easily expand the zone of no or less meat to two, three, or seven days a week. The choice is yours. My bet is you’ll feel lighter, support your family’s health, help the planet, and spend less. That’s a win-in in every direction.
Use Vinegar
I bet you have noticed that household items can be problematic for the environment. As a conscientious person, you may have looked into buying organic products to reduce potential pollutants.
This is a smart move, but it’s very likely expensive. That’s why our moms and grandmothers often turned to a simple substance: vinegar.
Vinegar is a remarkable product. It can be used to replace so many cleaners and household products. I didn’t believe it at first, but it has the strength to remove scum from the bathroom and mold from the hard-to-get places in the shower.
You can even use it to clean the toilet and bathtub. This is an awesome way to create a healthy household and save money on an ongoing basis.
Protect Your Family
No one likes to think about unexpected events. But sometimes, often in the middle of the night, you may find yourself searching for ways to prepare for unexpected events.
I just got off the phone with a friend who was up all night. Here’s what Sara told me, “I couldn’t stop myself. I was turned into some kind of threat channel in my psyche and I kept thinking about what could help me prepare my family should something happen to me.
I was randomly typing in topics like, buy term life online, build a retirement plan, and start an emergency fund. Before I knew it…the sun was coming up and I still hadn’t gotten any sleep.”
If you find yourself worried and concerned about protecting your family, it is entirely understandable. What can you do? Take specific action. Yes, you can buy insurance. Yes, you can start a retirement plan. Yes, you can take steps to save up for a rainy day emergency fund.
When you do take specific actions, you’ll worry less—and most likely you’ll also have higher quality sleep. With more sleep, you’ll be in a better state of body and mind to deal with whatever is up for today.
Sum Up
There are so many ways to align your values and your spending. What are you going to do today?
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