All the advice in the world will not help you financially if you do not change your thinking. Our thinking, values, views are all influenced by our subconscious. Our subconscious is being programmed from the time we are babies. We learn from everyone and everything around us as we grow older. My son is currently one and a half, He walks pretty well but he’s still learning stairs. Today I noticed that as I climb the stairs he watches my feet go up the stairs. After taking in my movement he mimics it by struggling up one stair which is mid thigh for him. This is just an example of how we learn early on!
Some time ago I ran out to target for some milk(Target is actually closer than the gas station). As I stood in line with my son I watched in horror as a lady held her daughter who could not have been much older than my son and she swiped her credit card to pay for her merchandise. This is normal you say! Well yes it is. However, the horrific aspect of this event is what happened after she swiped her credit card. The card was declined, without hesitating she grabbed another card from her wallet showed it to her daughter and said “Let’s try this one.” My Jaw dropped, not only for the fact that she was programming bad habits into her daughter before she was two but also because she had no idea what her balances were. This behavior continued for three more cards until one finally cleared.
How than, can we reprogram ourselves? Steve Pavlina has an excellent concept in which you apply yourself on a 30 day trial basis. The premise is: After 30 day’s you’ve developed the action as a habit and it’s hard to break it. I’ve applied this concept to a few goals and I liked the result. At this point if I drive past the exit for my gym I feel as though I forgot something all evening. It’s vexing when I skip the gym for a doctors appointment or if I am not feeling well.
So what are some financial matters we can apply Steve Pavlina’s 30 days to success?
- Morning Coffee – Now, Now before you consider it and start pulling your hair out I’m not talking about removing your morning coffee. I’m talking about reducing and or eliminating that morning stop at Starbucks. Don’t get me wrong, I own Starbucks stock and I want you all to pump it up so I can cash out some day but let’s face it. $2.00 for a regular coffee and $4-5.00 for a bar made coffee ads up over time. I applied Pavlina’s 30 day’s to success and have eliminated my morning stop. Instead I wait an extra 15 minutes until I get to work and brew a pot there. Total savings per week $10.00 for regular coffee.
- Lunch Time – Socialization is an important aspect in the workplace but it can certainly place a dent in your wallet. Instead of going to lunch 5 day’s a week at an average cost of $7.00 per day why not try bringing your lunch for a few day’s per week. I no longer goto lunch every day. Instead I bring my lunch. Bringing my lunch not only saves me money each week on food, it also reduces my fuel consumption because I’m not driving during lunch. I also save in terms of time, My employer is flexible and allows me to have a working lunch. I am into work at 7, and out by 3 which allows me to spend 1 hour in the gym and still be home before rush hour!
- Car Pool – Do you have co workers in your area that you can swap rides with? If two people share a ride to work they can conserve on gas consumption while also helping the environment. Almost every car I see on my morning commute has only 1 person in it. Here in Texas the concept has not really caught on. Imagine however if instead of filling your gas tank once per week you could fill it once every two weeks! At today’s gas prices for a car with decent MPG that could save you $50.00 or more per week.
- Exercise – Although this does not directly translate to finance, its underlying effects certainly do. When you exercise you become healthy, and when you are healthy you frequent the doctors office less. You also have a reduced risk of injury as well as having a tendency to eat healthier. When you are healthy you are more inclined to stray away from unhealthy and often costly habits such as smoking, eating fatty junk food and generally lounging around. Exercising on a routine basis is also a great way to kill an hour. If I find myself bored on a weekend I notice that I tend to eat more. Eating more wastes more money!
Try it for 30 Day’s! Do you have any other suggestions for items in your life that could save you money?
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