Save Water, Stop Pissing away Your Money!

Disclaimer: I've decided to direct this blog to self-examination and goal-setting. At least until I change my mind and direct it to something else! 

Introduction

Most people make small and unnecessary daily purchases without calculating the cost of the purchases. Meanwhile, they keep putting off a large purchase until "they have the money" as if this is ever going to happen if they are short each month. 

I'm going to use a personal example to illustrate the cost of small daily purchases and end with a commitment to eliminate something in exchange for an expensive item I want more.

The cost of small daily purchases

Each morning, I take a 5.1 mile walk. Near the end of the walk, I stop to buy coffee and donuts at the quick stop. I sit outside to eat them. What is the cost of these?

Each morning, I spend $3.39. If I stop 300 times a year, then I'll spend $1,017 a year. About $600 of that will be for the donuts! 

Well, as I go through my day, I can find another $15 a day that I don't NEED to spend. If I give up those things 300 days a year, I can save $6,102! 

I'm pissing away money and I need to stop now!

Decide what you want to buy and when

When people give up something, they like to get something in return. The item I'd like to get is an expensive down sleeping bag that will cost about $600. 

Since I'm pissing away $18 a day, I should be able to buy it in 33 days. But, I still want to piss away some money, so I think I'll save $10 a day. 

To put this in goal-setting terms, I want to save to buy a sleeping bag in 60 days. December 30th is my target date.

Decide what to give up

I can give up the donuts and coffee. I can also give up eating out so often. 

Pay yourself the cash each day

This seems hard to do. Where am I going to get the money to set aside $300 at the beginning of the next two months? On the surface, this is patently ridiculous because it's money I'm not going to spend. 

So, what I'll do at the beginning of the week is withdraw $70 from the bank and put $10 a day in my wallet. Each day, I'll get to keep what I don't spend on the things I'm giving up. 

Conclusion

Now that I've calculated the monthly cost of the little things I don't need, I have a plan to redirect that money towards something I want and kind of need. At least when I have it, it won't be consumable and gone at the end of the month.