Get a life. You have choices.

Hello. I've had an email asking this question....

You mentioned a couple of times in comments that you can afford more now.  But, I was wondering if sometime you would write more about how we can afford more as time goes by when all I hear others say is that money does not go as far and that they can afford less and less.

Yes it's true, prices do go up all the time. I can afford a bit more now because my spending is all calculated, and my self discipline is embedded in my make up. It is probably a bit confusing to some people, how can it be that price rises do not affect me. The truth is that I don't get hung up about it, I am only affected when the regular things I buy are increased in price. I couldn't care less about other stuff because I don't buy it.

When I see that something has gone up which I buy weekly or monthly, I assess whether I want to pay for it, or look for another similar product at a cheaper price. For instance, my soya milk went up in Tesco so I switched to Aldi. The 1kg bags (7 or 8) bananas were changed for five in a bag for the same price in Aldi, so I switched to loose bananas because they worked out cheaper. If I really want to buy that item at a higher price, and I have saved money on other things, I will treat myself to it.

OK, do not listen to others moaning about prices, some people thrive on doom and gloom. Negativity rubs off, it's positive people that you want to mix with. Some people feel hard done by when really they are quite comfortable. People want things they can't realistically afford, it's not because prices are high, it's because they are making the wrong choices. They have a sense of entitlement. They see others around them with the latest this and that, and they want it too. Don't be like a sheep. I say to those people, 'get a life, not a new sofa'.

When I first started this blog I was surviving on a small income, that's because I chose to cut down on my working hours. I lowered my sights, I only spent on things that I needed. After a few years I am now in the position that my emergency fund is pretty much ok, I don't have to worry about when thing break and need replacing. I have saved up the cash.

The key word here is CHOICES. I could choose to splash out and spend my emergency fund on something frivolous, then regret it later. Or I could choose a date to replace my car, which is important to me, and save that money to pay for the car. Planning ahead pays dividends, spontaneous spending gets people locked in debt and possible bankruptcy . The choice is.... KEEP ON TOP OF THINGS, OR FACE YEARS OF MISERY.

It never fails to amaze me that people don't realize they have choices. Read the Debt Free Wannabe on the MSE forum. They are in debt but they don't want to give up the Sky, smoking, socializing, beauty treatments, gym, takeaways, daily coffee in a cardboard cup. OK, if they want to continue in the lifestyle they have created for themselves, always living on the edge, living from month to month, never actually making any progress, then they choose to be poor. I could slap them sometimes.

It's all down to attitude, and expectations, and your entitlements, and how much you think you deserve something. I set my sights low, I am not entitled to anything I can't afford to pay for. My attitude is that I need very little to live, food, and a basic roof over my head. I need specs to help my vision, a hearing aid to help me hear, and a dentist to look after my teeth. If I fall ill I need healthcare. Anything else  that I can pay for is a bonus.

At this point I will remind everyone that LESS is MORE. The less stuff you own, the less you buy, the less you can afford, the less spare money you have, the less decisions you have to make, the more simplified your life will be.

I am an optimist, I think things are pretty good for me at the moment. I have nothing to complain about, even price rises don't bother me. Why should they, I choose what I want to buy. I buy it or I don't buy it, end of. As I said, no point in moaning about it.

Thank you J for your question. Another busy day. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip