Stretching Our Dollars to Make Our Budget Planning Easier

by David@MoneyNing.com · 14 comments

dollar bill

Today, I think I figured out another reason why I spend less money and thus make my budget planning easier than everyone else. It’s not because I waste less money, nor is it because I buy less things. It’s basically because I stretch the use of my dollar.

What do I really mean by that? Well, I realized that every time I feel that something needs to be replaced, I end up using it for another 6 months. I still remember the day before the wedding when my mom was complaining that my pair of pants was just really old.

When I think that something is still usable, I tend to keep using it even though it might not look the newest. I’m not sure where I picked this up, but I’ve found that this single trait has saved me so much money all through life. For example, I am using a laptop that’s 5 years old. Sure, it’s a little slow, but it does the job perfectly because this laptop is used to blog and answer emails. Comparing this to someone who might have bought two laptops in the same time frame, I’ve just saved the price of one laptop.

Keep more of your money -- stretch every dollar

So if we really want to keep more of our money, all we need to do is stretch every dollar. Sometimes, these things that we want to throw away is still usable and very functional. Stop throwing them away just because things get a little old. By keeping the same thing that we sometimes want to throw away, we can really spend much less money.

Editor's Note: Did you know about the service called $5 meal plans? For $5 a month, they send you recipes of delicious, healthy, yet cheap food that costs just $5 a meal.

Several of my friends signed up and they are able to eat at home more because the instructions are easy to follow, making everything convenient. The deal also comes with grocery shopping lists, which saves them so much time. Check it out yourself by clicking here and you too may be able to save more and become healthier at the same time.

Money Saving Tip: An incredibly effective way to save more is to reduce your monthly Internet and TV costs. Click here for the current Verizon FiOS promotion codes and promos to see if you can save more money every month from now on.

{ read the comments below or add one }

  • Jonathan says:

    Excellent points you make. I sometimes throw things away, when actually on reflection they are still usable. I think we’ve gotten into the habit of a disposable culture, but perhaps we need to reassess our priorities and goals.

  • Jonnie says:

    I’ve always tried to live by the saying “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without”. My sister and I think we remember mom and dad saying something like that anyway. IF I have to go for something ‘new’ It’s generally ‘new to me’ from the Goodwill store or Salvation Army store (nicknamed SallyAnn’s by a friend of mine).

  • enjei says:

    A money spent for lucrative stuff should come from the profit of your investment. If the money will come from your earnings, then you dont have the right to spend them.

  • Dave says:

    I stretch my dollars at

    http://www.PriceCutReview.com

    where thousands of items are listed at half price or less.

  • ForexGen LLC says:

    Really we appreciate this good idea

  • Mayank Rocks says:

    @ Forex Articles.

    Now thats a lot lol. 12 years old sweater.. Common..hehe :p

  • Mayank Rocks says:

    I agree. I do the same. But some people just dont understand me and tend to say, I never spend any money etc, I just want to save them all.. lol

  • Simonne says:

    You are right. However, it feels so good to get new things, that it’s simply addictive. And if one can’t stretch dollars, she should definitely try to increase earnings 😉

  • shaun says:

    Nice to see people not just waisting all their money. I believe money should be saved and invested.

    http://www.stocks-simplified.com

  • Forex Articles says:

    I’m with you. I’m currently sat here in a sweater bought around 12 years ago, and it’s still as good as new.

    Of course I’m naturally tight anyway after studying accountancy when I was younger.

  • Mike Huang says:

    Wow. This is my read of the day 🙂 Keep up the good work.

    -Mike

  • Mark @ TheLocoMono says:

    I am that way especially with clothings. I will wear them till holes appear in the more private areas which is a sign to replace them. As far as everything else, to the end, a tv, dvd player, etc… Perfect example is driving my car to its death.

    I rather spend money on my future or investment than keeping things up to date.

  • No Debt Plan says:

    I find myself doing the same thing… pushing back upgrades, buying generic, etc. I have two pairs of shoes I wear that I bought in high school and I am 2 years out of college now. They still look and feel fine.

  • Fiscal Musings says:

    I don’t really have the urge to keep upgrading things either. Especially if they’re still functional like you say. It also keeps down on overall waste.

Leave a Comment