59 – February 28
“There were times my pants were so thin I could sit on a dime and tell if it were heads or tails.”—Spencer Tracy
If this is a month you have chosen to be on “Low Budget,” remember that it is just for now, not forever. Make it a game! Your goal each day is to spend as little as possible. How can you have a great time without spending money? You can get the whole family involved—have a prize for the best idea. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
Go shopping in your closet. Create new outfits from all the assorted shirts, skirts, pants, scarves, shoes, belts, and jewelry. Discard anything you haven’t worn in a while and donate it to charity. You’ll be doing good for others and at the same time creating space for more abundance when you get to “High Budget.”
- Go shopping in your closet. Create new outfits from all the assorted shirts, skirts, pants, scarves, shoes, belts, and jewelry. Discard anything you haven’t worn in a while and donate it to charity. You’ll be doing good for others and at the same time creating space for more abundance when you get to “High Budget.”
- Write a poem, a play, a story, or a song. Draw a picture. Play the musical instrument you haven’t picked up in a while.
- Organize a family or neighborhood talent show and encourage everyone to contribute their talent. Create “First Place” Awards for everyone: Each person will be the best in their own unique category (for example, “Best Song by a Blond Girl Scout”).
- Spend an afternoon at the library. Check out books in categories you don’t usually read.
- Learn a new language or practice one that’s rusty. Call a friend to help!
- Go for a walk in nature, to a park, the mountains, the lake or the seashore. Get a field guide to birds or plants in your area and really look at the myriad life forms all around you.
- Get involved in a charity event. Volunteers are always welcome and you’ll feel good helping others less fortunate than you.
- Play “The Glad Game.” Look around you at all you have to be grateful for and thank God for your abundance.
Today’s Affirmation:
“My life is rich in fun and adventure!
Always remember that being on Low Budget is just for one month.
Even if you have a long range plan to save for a down-payment on a house, or dig yourself out of debt, it will be too depressing if you think about living on the cheap for too long. If you can be cheerful during your Low Budget days, and know that they aren’t going to last forever, and gee, something great could happen today or tomorrow or next week and you could move up to Medium Budget! – then you’re going to do your positive affirmations with more energy and excitement, aren’t you? And that will have big payoffs in your daily joy and prosperity.
Whatever budget you’re on, always make sure you are living below your means. Committing to too many ongoing monthly expenses without leaving room for savings, emergencies, or opportunities isn’t going to make you a happy camper when the Homeless-Harry-or-Harriet-You-Might-Become wakes you from a sound slumber when the economy tanks, your child needs an operation, or the family breadwinner loses their job. This past recession has taught that lesson, but has everyone harkened to it? Or will the spending splurge start again immediately?
Now is the time to plan a better future. While you do that, figure out some low-cost pleasures that are really fun!
