Greetings all! I hope the New Year finds you well!
Today I am kicking off 2019 with a fun blog post that I hope you will enjoy!
Today I am kicking off 2019 with a fun blog post that I hope you will enjoy!
If you have been reading this blog or following me on Instagram lately, I'm sure by now you have figured out that my husband and I have just recently opened up our own tattoo shop, Tatty Zaps! Today's post is one part shameless promotion (if you live in the Atlanta, Georgia area come get a tattoo or piercing!), mixed with my love for managing money!
I decided to write this post because A. I love managing money, talking about money, and telling other people how to better manage their money, and B. My husband and I are constantly having people tell us, "I would love to get a tattoo, I just don't have the money for it." Well no more! Today's post is based a bit off a blog post I wrote three years ago, "My #1 Secret to Saving Money for Travel." If you want to travel and just don't have the money, go read that article after you read this one!
Let's dive right in!
I decided to write this post because A. I love managing money, talking about money, and telling other people how to better manage their money, and B. My husband and I are constantly having people tell us, "I would love to get a tattoo, I just don't have the money for it." Well no more! Today's post is based a bit off a blog post I wrote three years ago, "My #1 Secret to Saving Money for Travel." If you want to travel and just don't have the money, go read that article after you read this one!
Let's dive right in!
Step 1. Make some decisions
What tattoo do you want to get? Do you want it in color, or black and gray? Where on your body do you want to get it, and what approximate size?
If you aren't exactly sure on all of these things that's not a problem at all-some people rely on the artist's judgment on some things since they're the professional. And Nick says that is perfectly fine with him! We are just trying to figure an approximate price for your tattoo. So once you have most of your ideas together, the next step is...
What tattoo do you want to get? Do you want it in color, or black and gray? Where on your body do you want to get it, and what approximate size?
If you aren't exactly sure on all of these things that's not a problem at all-some people rely on the artist's judgment on some things since they're the professional. And Nick says that is perfectly fine with him! We are just trying to figure an approximate price for your tattoo. So once you have most of your ideas together, the next step is...
Step 2. Contact Nick at Tatty Zaps (or your artist and shop of choice)
Tell him all the decisions you made above, and ask an approximate price. He will give you a ballpark. No lower than this price, but no higher than this one.
Tell him all the decisions you made above, and ask an approximate price. He will give you a ballpark. No lower than this price, but no higher than this one.
Step 3. Figure out your timing
Once you've talked to Nick (or your artist of your choice) and gotten your ballpark price, now you need to decide when you want this tattoo. Do you want it right before a big holiday to shock your family? Do you want it right before a vacation to show off in all your pictures? Figuring in healing times, decide on what month you want your tattoo. How many months is that from now?
Once you've talked to Nick (or your artist of your choice) and gotten your ballpark price, now you need to decide when you want this tattoo. Do you want it right before a big holiday to shock your family? Do you want it right before a vacation to show off in all your pictures? Figuring in healing times, decide on what month you want your tattoo. How many months is that from now?
Step 4. Get your magic number
Take the highest number from your ballpark amount, add in a tip if you will want to leave one, and divide this number by the number of months you have from now until you want to get your tattoo. Divide that number by two if you get paid every other week, or four if you get paid every week.
And that number my friend, that little tiny number you see before you, is all the money you need to put aside every paycheck, to get your next dream tattoo.
Unless you want an exceptionally large piece, and only give yourself one or two months to save, that number is going to be smaller than the price of going out drinking every weekend, smaller than a $5 Starbucks a day coffee!
Take the highest number from your ballpark amount, add in a tip if you will want to leave one, and divide this number by the number of months you have from now until you want to get your tattoo. Divide that number by two if you get paid every other week, or four if you get paid every week.
And that number my friend, that little tiny number you see before you, is all the money you need to put aside every paycheck, to get your next dream tattoo.
Unless you want an exceptionally large piece, and only give yourself one or two months to save, that number is going to be smaller than the price of going out drinking every weekend, smaller than a $5 Starbucks a day coffee!
Want a nice $500 piece in four months and get paid every other week?
500 divided by four divided by two= 62.50
So the grand total you would need to set aside every paycheck, is only $62.50!
Only $62.50! That is only $125 a month for four months, and you can have a brand new tattoo that will last you forever!
And you don't need to spend $500 to get a beautiful tattoo at Tatty Zaps! Want a $150 tattoo in three months and get paid every other week? You only need to set aside $25 a paycheck!!!
500 divided by four divided by two= 62.50
So the grand total you would need to set aside every paycheck, is only $62.50!
Only $62.50! That is only $125 a month for four months, and you can have a brand new tattoo that will last you forever!
And you don't need to spend $500 to get a beautiful tattoo at Tatty Zaps! Want a $150 tattoo in three months and get paid every other week? You only need to set aside $25 a paycheck!!!
Step 5. Start saving
Every paycheck, set aside in a separate savings account (bonus, you will be making interest on your money!), a piggy bank, or in an envelope hidden in your underwear drawer, the amount of money that you need. And that's it!
Every paycheck, set aside in a separate savings account (bonus, you will be making interest on your money!), a piggy bank, or in an envelope hidden in your underwear drawer, the amount of money that you need. And that's it!
Ok so, what if you've read this, figured out your magic number, and are saying, "I can't save that amount of money every paycheck!"
Here is what I have to say to that;
-You're lying. Ok, maybe not. But! I do find it very difficult to believe that an adult person, with a job, can not save an extra hundred odd dollars a month!
-Read my complete Money Management Series. You should be able to save at least $100 a month with most of my money saving tips.
-Give yourself longer to save. If you need $500, but can't save $125 for four months, instead, save only $100 for five months! Still doable!
-If after all of this, you still can't manage to scrounge up an extra $100 or so a month, then you don't want it bad enough. You would rather spend your money on other things. And that is fine! If a tattoo isn't your priority, then you will not be able to save up money for it, and you don't have to! If you can't give up your daily Starbucks or cigarettes for a couple months to save for your tattoo, then continue buying your Starbucks and cigarettes. But, if getting tattooed is a priority, then I know that you will be able to find a way to save that money!
Here is what I have to say to that;
-You're lying. Ok, maybe not. But! I do find it very difficult to believe that an adult person, with a job, can not save an extra hundred odd dollars a month!
-Read my complete Money Management Series. You should be able to save at least $100 a month with most of my money saving tips.
-Give yourself longer to save. If you need $500, but can't save $125 for four months, instead, save only $100 for five months! Still doable!
-If after all of this, you still can't manage to scrounge up an extra $100 or so a month, then you don't want it bad enough. You would rather spend your money on other things. And that is fine! If a tattoo isn't your priority, then you will not be able to save up money for it, and you don't have to! If you can't give up your daily Starbucks or cigarettes for a couple months to save for your tattoo, then continue buying your Starbucks and cigarettes. But, if getting tattooed is a priority, then I know that you will be able to find a way to save that money!
Peace Love and Tattoos
Jess <3
Jess <3
