Before I left on my latest globe-trotting expedition, I promised you guys that when I returned, I would let you in on my money secret. Well, I have a confession: I do not have just ONE, brilliant money secret that will magically change your life. What I DO have however, is a lifetime of money saving secrets, that I have been taught by my parents, learned from countless books and podcasts, and figured out for myself over the course of my life!
You might be thinking to yourself, "Who does this chick think she is? Trying to tell me how to save MY money, what to do with MY money!" You're absolutely right. Why SHOULD you listen to me, and trust me with your money? Well, let me give you a little introduction to me, and tell you why I think that I am worthy of giving you money advice!
When I was just a wee baby in my mum's tummy, my father learned that if you talk to the woman's tummy, the baby will hear, and it will have an influence on the baby as a person. So, every day, my dad talked to my mom's tummy saying, "Buy low, sell high (I'm not even joking)." And ever since I could remember, I have been amazing at handling money, and I chalk it up to my dad for hammering it into my head, even before I was born, the basis of business, "Buy low, sell high!"
Now, on to why I think I am capable of telling you what to do with your money. And in saying all these things, I am not trying to toot my own whistle or anything, but just letting you know that I DO know what I'm talking about, and to show you what can happen if you apply the tips that I will be telling you over these next few weeks!
When I was just a wee baby in my mum's tummy, my father learned that if you talk to the woman's tummy, the baby will hear, and it will have an influence on the baby as a person. So, every day, my dad talked to my mom's tummy saying, "Buy low, sell high (I'm not even joking)." And ever since I could remember, I have been amazing at handling money, and I chalk it up to my dad for hammering it into my head, even before I was born, the basis of business, "Buy low, sell high!"
Now, on to why I think I am capable of telling you what to do with your money. And in saying all these things, I am not trying to toot my own whistle or anything, but just letting you know that I DO know what I'm talking about, and to show you what can happen if you apply the tips that I will be telling you over these next few weeks!
-In 2010, at the age of 23, I bought a car for $2,000. In cash (above).
-I have a Roth IRA I started in High School that I yearly put money in to save for my retirement.
-In 2011 I bought a brand new laptop in cash.
-This February, me and my mom took my sister on a 3 day, 4 night cruise to the Bahamas for her Graduation Present. I paid for my ticket, and all my expenses, plus half of all my sister's expenses, and half her ticket! I did not use a credit card (I don't even own one). I had all the money in my checking account!
-We drove my car to Florida (where the cruise left from), and on the way home, my engine blew up *super sad face*. When we got back home, I had $300 dollars saved in my emergency fund, that I used to buy a new (used) motor.
-The beginning of March (just one month after the cruise), I bought a round trip plane ticket to China (for $1,400). And once again, did not use a credit card, and didn't borrow money from anyone. I saved the $1,400, plus over $200 for my Visa, visa pictures, and almost $400 for hotels, trains, food and shopping when I was there!
-The end of March (half a month after I purchased my China plane tickets), I went with some friends to see Michael Graves in concert. I paid for my own ticket, and drinks! That's right, in cash!
-In one week from now, (soon after returning home from China!), me and a bunch of people are going to Kentucky for the annual Abbey Road on the River Beatles Festival. I paid for my tickets for two days, gas money, hotel room, and spending money!
-After all of that, I still have over $1,000 in my Savings Account.
and lastly,
-I did all of this while working part time as a waitress!!!!!!!
-I have a Roth IRA I started in High School that I yearly put money in to save for my retirement.
-In 2011 I bought a brand new laptop in cash.
-This February, me and my mom took my sister on a 3 day, 4 night cruise to the Bahamas for her Graduation Present. I paid for my ticket, and all my expenses, plus half of all my sister's expenses, and half her ticket! I did not use a credit card (I don't even own one). I had all the money in my checking account!
-We drove my car to Florida (where the cruise left from), and on the way home, my engine blew up *super sad face*. When we got back home, I had $300 dollars saved in my emergency fund, that I used to buy a new (used) motor.
-The beginning of March (just one month after the cruise), I bought a round trip plane ticket to China (for $1,400). And once again, did not use a credit card, and didn't borrow money from anyone. I saved the $1,400, plus over $200 for my Visa, visa pictures, and almost $400 for hotels, trains, food and shopping when I was there!
-The end of March (half a month after I purchased my China plane tickets), I went with some friends to see Michael Graves in concert. I paid for my own ticket, and drinks! That's right, in cash!
-In one week from now, (soon after returning home from China!), me and a bunch of people are going to Kentucky for the annual Abbey Road on the River Beatles Festival. I paid for my tickets for two days, gas money, hotel room, and spending money!
-After all of that, I still have over $1,000 in my Savings Account.
and lastly,
-I did all of this while working part time as a waitress!!!!!!!
Sound crazy and insane and maybe like something you would like to learn more about?! Thought so! This is why I am so positive that my Money System works, because I am the proof! So come to the site every Monday for "Money Management Mondays!" (Kinda cheesy, I know, but I don't care!:P ). Some posts will be little things that you might think are stupid or just very miniscule, but believe me, if you implement even HALF of these tips, they WILL change your life! I am SO excited about this series, because I know that it is completely life-changing, and SO important! Because if you never have money, you can't afford to live the life you want to! I'm not saying that money will make you happy. If you're not happy with yourself, money (and nothing else for that matter) will ever make you happy. But not stressing out about money will definitely make anybody's life a LOT easier and a LOT more enjoyable!!!
As of right now, I'm not even sure how long this series will last. As of right now, I have enough material for at least two months, but as I'm writing, I keep thinking of more things, so we'll see how long this lasts! So stop by every Monday, and pass it along to your friends, co-workers, and anyone else you think could use some tips to save money!
So finally, after that very long introduction, I now introduce to you my Money Saving Secret #1 (these tips are in no way in order of importance at all, since they are all important, and all play a part in how I am able to save money and do things I want to do). Enjoy!
As of right now, I'm not even sure how long this series will last. As of right now, I have enough material for at least two months, but as I'm writing, I keep thinking of more things, so we'll see how long this lasts! So stop by every Monday, and pass it along to your friends, co-workers, and anyone else you think could use some tips to save money!
So finally, after that very long introduction, I now introduce to you my Money Saving Secret #1 (these tips are in no way in order of importance at all, since they are all important, and all play a part in how I am able to save money and do things I want to do). Enjoy!
*UPDATE 5-30-19*
As of last year, I officially own a smart phone! We had just recently moved to Atlanta, and since I didn't have a car, I had to Uber everywhere. So with a little encouraging, my husband finally talked me into dropping my trusty little flip phone for a smart phone that I could use to Uber. So since I now use a smart phone (like most people do), here is how I still manage to save money.
1. Don't buy brand new. I am still baffled at the price of smart phones, especially if you are leasing one! I just bought a used phone in super good condition for only $100. It has worked perfectly for me, and once something does happen to it, I will just buy another used phone!
2. Don't lease your phone. You realize, that by leasing your phone, you just have a permanent payment, without ever even owning your phone. Plus, do you really need a brand new phone every year?
3. Wait until after the latest phone comes out, or right after Christmas, so you can buy up people's perfectly good phones that they are getting rid of.
4. Shop around for the best phone plan. It's 2019, most phone companies have good service. Exceptions are in small towns! We have Sprint because it is inexpensive, but if we are visiting family in Ohio we can barely even use our phones.
Well those are my tips for saving money for your phone!
As of last year, I officially own a smart phone! We had just recently moved to Atlanta, and since I didn't have a car, I had to Uber everywhere. So with a little encouraging, my husband finally talked me into dropping my trusty little flip phone for a smart phone that I could use to Uber. So since I now use a smart phone (like most people do), here is how I still manage to save money.
1. Don't buy brand new. I am still baffled at the price of smart phones, especially if you are leasing one! I just bought a used phone in super good condition for only $100. It has worked perfectly for me, and once something does happen to it, I will just buy another used phone!
2. Don't lease your phone. You realize, that by leasing your phone, you just have a permanent payment, without ever even owning your phone. Plus, do you really need a brand new phone every year?
3. Wait until after the latest phone comes out, or right after Christmas, so you can buy up people's perfectly good phones that they are getting rid of.
4. Shop around for the best phone plan. It's 2019, most phone companies have good service. Exceptions are in small towns! We have Sprint because it is inexpensive, but if we are visiting family in Ohio we can barely even use our phones.
Well those are my tips for saving money for your phone!
Money Saving Secret #1 . I don't own a smart phone.
Well actually, I DO own a smart phone now. BUT, it is my boyfriend's old smart phone, that does not even have a phone number to it! I use it ONLY for taking pictures, and using the internet when there is Wifi available. Which is all free!
I still have my faithful little flip phone, and I use THAT for all my calls and texting! I know most of you think I'm crazy. How can I LIVE without a smart phone you might say? VERY easily! I have my laptop at home (which I prefer to use anyway), and my flip phone is capable of sending and receiving texts, and pictures, so I'm SET! And, my cell phone bill is only $24 a month-Gasp! That's only $288 a year!!!
Compare that to the average person's $50-100 a month, $600-1200 (yikes!) a year cell phone bill! By not owning a smart phone, I save anywhere from $312-912 a year!!! For me, DEFINITELY worth it!
What to Do: After reading this, you need to decide for yourself, if having a smart phone is really worth it. Imagine, what could you do with an extra $1,000 a year?!
So that is my first secret on 'Money Management Mondays'! Come back next Monday for my Money Saving Secret #2!
Well actually, I DO own a smart phone now. BUT, it is my boyfriend's old smart phone, that does not even have a phone number to it! I use it ONLY for taking pictures, and using the internet when there is Wifi available. Which is all free!
I still have my faithful little flip phone, and I use THAT for all my calls and texting! I know most of you think I'm crazy. How can I LIVE without a smart phone you might say? VERY easily! I have my laptop at home (which I prefer to use anyway), and my flip phone is capable of sending and receiving texts, and pictures, so I'm SET! And, my cell phone bill is only $24 a month-Gasp! That's only $288 a year!!!
Compare that to the average person's $50-100 a month, $600-1200 (yikes!) a year cell phone bill! By not owning a smart phone, I save anywhere from $312-912 a year!!! For me, DEFINITELY worth it!
What to Do: After reading this, you need to decide for yourself, if having a smart phone is really worth it. Imagine, what could you do with an extra $1,000 a year?!
So that is my first secret on 'Money Management Mondays'! Come back next Monday for my Money Saving Secret #2!
*So what do you think about My Money Saving Secret #1? Do you think that it is something you could apply to your life? Leave comments below and let me know! And don't forget to like this post on the facebook link below, and don't forget to come back next Monday for My Money Saving Secret #2!!!*
Peace Love and Money
Jess <3
