7. Do It Yourself. It's so easy to continue college trends - when Mommy and Daddy paid for everything - into young adulthood. Hair appointments, nail appointments and car servicing, were all "necessities" in school, and continue to be post graduation. As we progress into adulthood and the workforce, we're tempted by many "grown-up" luxuries that sometimes bear a costly price tag. During the interim period, between college life allowance and junior level income, a difficult challenge presents itself - how do I afford all of my responsibilities, and manage simple luxuries as well?
Many services that we pay others to perform can easily be accomplished if we invest our own time into them. Instead of paying your hairdresser $40+ for a one-time shampoo and style, spend about $35 on KeraCare shampoo and conditioner. Chi products work well too, and can be purchased online at sites such as Amazon.com. Investing in a Fhi flat iron will also be helpful, and will pay for itself after three or four uses. Washing and styling your own hair may take some getting used to, especially if you've relied on a hairdresser for years upon years. But, you'll find that, with practice, taking care of your own hair will be cost-efficient and maybe even therapeutic. If you're less inclined to "do-it-yourself" then find a friend who is willing to do it for you. A best friend should help you out for the free. A good friend might charge you (at a cheaper cost than your regular hairdresser, of course). And, there should always be room for negotiation. Maybe you can't pay your "good friend" in dollars, but can help her paint her bathroom, or pack up before next month's move. Now you're both saving money. No hairdresser. No painters or movers. Win-win!
Nail care is the same. The purchase of a simple(or even elaborate) manicure set will prove to be much cheaper than weekly nail appointments. You may even prefer your own handiwork over that of the Koreans.
Simple car maintenance, such as oil changes and car cleaning can be performed solo. If you're weary about making a disasterous mistake, have a car-savvy friend help you out. Changing your own oil is much cheaper than the $40 dealership fee. Be sure to keep track of the mileage, and be on your merry way!
8. Spend a Night In. Pick up a good book. Rent or buy a DVD. Invite friends over. There are endless possibilities when you choose to stay home for an evening. I'm really into French, so lately I've been picking up grade-level chapter books en francais. Though the story content reads on a 5th grade level, the overall goal of attaining fluency in French is reached in a fun, yet challenging manner.
Love to cook? Pick up a few things at the Grocery Store (Suggestion #1) and invite friends over. You can test a new recipe, enjoy a new bottle of wine, and catch a newly released flick on DVD. If you're tired of your own DVD collection, TNT, TBS, FX or USA usually has pretty cool picks for Saturday night movies. If you're feeling culturally adventurous, try TCM or AMC. Film oldies can be hard to beat! Plus, this downtime is great for really catching up with your BFFs. You'll notice that drunken convos over loud music don't have the quite same affect as tipsy convos over good food. Sometimes work, love lives, young professional mixers and regular gym workouts can dilute the potency of solid, rare friendships. Finding quiet time to reconnect is literally priceless...
9. Cut Back. This one is HARD. We live in a world of excess. And sometimes, we just want to integrate into societal norms without thinking so much about it, right? Welp. No can do. When you're really scraping pennies, you sometimes have to go without. Ashlyn made a really good point to me via email not too long ago. She said "I'm working a few years of my life NOW the way others won't, so I can live the rest of my life LATER, like others can't. I'm getting higher, closer to my dreams."
We have to pay it forward. We have to realize that, by not putting ourselves in debt now, we'll be able to live a more prosperous life later. Moreover, we're young enough to still enjoy life without excessive luxuries and costs. Later, we'll appreciate them so much more, because we've done due diligence in achieving our goals.
Cutting back applies to damn near everything. Avoid making those last-minute purchases in the check-out line. Avoid the snack machine when you're having cravings. Combine trips so you use less gas (Suggestion #3). Shop smart. Think to re-use something before throwing it out. Skip appetizers or dessert on your next dinner date. Buy fewer martinis at the next lounge. Try to save those pennies wherever you can, as often as possible.
10. Change Your Mentality. Know that ONE DAY, this will all pay off... literally.
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