It has went from a cloudy day in the big city to a sunny one, and I have to say that it is quite beautiful.
As I sit here at my desk typing away looking outside of my flat window, I can't help but have a Carrie Bradshaw moment.
#SATCForLife
Yeah, I'm a huge fan.
But back to the point of today's entry. I'm going to discuss with you all some of my ideas on conservative spending when it comes to food, clothes, and other basic essentials.
So, on that note, here's a little Carrie SATC quote to get this rolling.
"Sometimes I would buy Vogue instead of dinner. I just felt it fed me more."
While this is a lovely quote, it isn't exactly practical.
While yes, you could probably buy Vogue or Cosmo and skip a meal, but I wouldn't exactly recommend it. To read Vogue, you have to be alive. And to stay alive? You need food.
Make sense? I figured as much.
Here are some of the tips I've put together as I've started living in the big city (I also read "City and Chic" by Nina Willdorf, but I'm not using any of her points in this entry just to simply avoid plagiarism at all costs).
Basically, since I've been there (aside from the fact that a lot of money has been paid for me to live out here), I've been trying to keep my days at $10 or less.
So, here's some words of wisdom my loves, the "Jayy's Savvy Six Tips on Saving." (Yes, I have a thing for alliteration.)
1) My dear, you do not need a Starbucks everyday.
- If you really know me, you just probably fell over in your chair at the fact that I said that. But here's the reality: you can make coffee at home that is just as fulfilling as a $5.00 12 oz. cup. I just buy almond milk at the market, sugar, and the grounded Starbuck Breakfast Blend. Yes, I get up a little earlier than usual so that I can have a solid 45 minutes to chill-out and drink my coffee, but that doesn't have to be the case! Buy a plastic, washable to-go cup, and I assure you, you'll still be just as cool as the people who have their coffee shop-bought cups of goodness on their desk. :)
 |
| Also: don't guy a bagel or a breakfast sandwich from Mickey D's... buy eggs, bread, and some mayo... and you have yourself a rather delicious (and cheaper) breakfast sandwich! P.S. That coffee is just as delicious as a good 'ol S-bucks! (Probably because it is their own blend, but cheaper to use non the less) |
2) Avoid food trucks and deli shops by your work, pack your lunch!
- I made this mistake my first week of work. While the prices weren't ridiculously awful, I really wasn't getting the portions I needed to make it through the day without crashing. I paid $5.29 for a salad that was about half the size of what a normal person would eat. After work every day, I would have a headache, starving, and close to crashing. Now, I've learned my lesson! I pack my own lunch, and even a few snacks, and it's still cheaper than the salad I kept buying. Who knew?
 |
| My idea: pre-boil some noodles for the week. Buy sauces (sesame, teriyaki, marinara, olive oil, etc.) and have yourself a pretty dang good noodle dish! |
 |
| This stuff though >>> (and only $2.99!) |
 |
| Fried an egg and throw it in! You'll feel like you stopped at an Asian Bistro on your way to work! |
- Say you've had a hard work day, or you're just ready for someone to make your food for you. It's okay to go a little out of budget when it comes to rewarding yourself. If you make your own coffee and pack your own lunch, I would say that you deserve to put that $10/a day to good use on some good delivery food. I use www.seamless.com, and my order vary from $8.50-$14.50 (depends on the restaurant and their personal delivery charges). But say that you don't want to do delivery. Then don't! Go out with your girls, have some sushi, and even a few drinks. You've earned it!
4) Here's an idea: grocery shop.
- When going grocery shopping, you'll feel as if you're really dropping a lot of cash on things that will only last you a week. My first time at the market, I dropped 50 bucks, and to say I was unhappy would be an understatement... but then I did a little mathematical breakdown.
Life without grocery shopping: Not buying any food at the market...
$15 (toiletry essentials) + $35 (Starbucks coffee every morning) + $40 (buying lunch everyday) + $70 (7 night of dinners) = $160/week
Life with grocery shopping: Almond milk, bread, chips, salsa, noodles, sauces, ice cream (don't judge me), bathroom essentials, laundry needs, etc...
= $50 (grocery shopping) + $70 (7 nights of dinners) = $120/week
160 - 120 = $40 of "play money" (or SAVING money)
So basically, that's an extra $40 a week that I can put towards things I actually want to buy (*cough* shoes *cough* books *cough), or just save it!
5) Mix/match the clothes you already have!
- This is SO much fun! Just when you think you've worn everything in your closet one too many times, try making up new outfits. You'll be surprised when, "Hey, this necklace really compliments this top." or "Wow! When I put this scarf on with this dress, it looks like a totally new outfit!"
Case in point: shop in your own closet for a change. You'll be shocked at how creative you actually are.
6) New Flash: there are fun things to do that DON'T cost money.
- Go take a walk in the park, read a book, window shop (my personal favorite), check out some free art exhibits, hang out with your friends... anything! Be creative, explore where you live, you'll never know how much that there is to do without opening your wallet. :)
 |
| Reading at the park is one of my favorite FREE (besides buying the book, but go to a library and that fee is eliminated) things to do! Cheap, peaceful, and fun! |
Well there ya go, there's the Savvy Six!
Now now, I know that other expenses occurred to get me to where I'm at (like rent, utilities, etc...), but just because a lot of money has been spent, does not mean you have to continue spending it frivolously.
Dream big, save a lot, and be smart.
(Excuse the typos, I didn't have time to edit properly.)
Much love :)
No comments:
Post a Comment