In October 2015 I left my previous job. As such I had to shave all my overheads so I decided to do it in style and hop off the roller coaster of doing things because they were habit. I was working long hours and earning decent money so this was, I felt, the rewards I deserved. The previous few years before this I had lived on the smell of an oily rag so I guess when I started to earn I started to spend and it needed to stop.
At the time I was working full time in a semi glamorous industry – even though I didn’t quite hit the mark being older and overweight, I did try to look the part. Now I work on a building site and absolutely love it and it has also enabled me to live honestly.
Many times over the last 20 years I gave up smoking but I finally kicked it for good 2 years ago – this was a huge achievement as I was a compulsive smoker since I was 17, especially with a wine, and am grateful daily it is not in my life any more. It is a hideous addiction that I could never quite kick and I feel sorry for anyone still trying.
So, this is a list of what I shaved off my budget.
No false nails – monthly saved $100
No pedi shellac – monthly – saved $50
No waxed eyebrows – monthly – saved $15
No hair colour or cut – saved -$150-$250 every 6 weeks
No Big Brand Hair Care – saved $20 month
No Bikini Wax – monthly $60
Few clothes – saved $100 month
Few Cosmetics – saved $50 month
Reduced takeaway – saved $200 – $400 month
Reduced dining out – previously 2/week – only special occasions now – saved from $200 -$400 month
Reduced cheese or platter food – saved $50 – $70 month (true)
Dropped Foxtel
Stopped Health Insurance – saved $314 month
No professional car cleans saved $50 month
No buying lunches.
I moved house – this saved $100 per week and I now share so I save $300 week!
I did drop buying coffee for a while but decided it was an essential item.
Reduced Fuel – from $50 week to $50 month – I was a rep so I travelled a lot of miles a week.
No more handbags, scarves, jewellery, wallets, etc etc – essential corporate wear…..
To add to this my eldest son graduated and stopped his sporting commitments. He is having a gap year and working full time – woohoo for me! So – no hair cuts, pocket money, entertaining, coffee, clothes, school fees from a private school, uniforms, size 15 shoes, lunches – nothing for him at all! Win win saved thousands.
So what happens when you delete a habit – you have to take up new habits – well I now spend all I saved on better wine and more expensive food……
No – kidding. I now can afford to live within my means. I can live without the fear of how to pay my bills. What a ridiculous position to be in at nearly 55! I have discovered my natural hair colour after 30 plus years of streaking/foils/colouring it and it’s ok. I use olive oil or coconut oil each week on the ends and it feels better than it has in years. I’m growing my fringe out as I had that little number for about 50 years…and I file my nails and paint them again like I did in the seventies! (And most normal people have always done!)
I am also loving real furniture again so enjoying scouring Lifeline and St Vinnies for gorgeous good quality furniture, china and glassware – not extravagant but I was left with 2 vintage chairs and a small table from my grandparents which I adore plus a bureau and with the divorce that is all I have left so I have decided to build on it and surround myself with strong beautiful genuine pieces which I will keep forever. My latest is a solid timber 6 seater table and chairs – I sold my white plastic Freedom number to pay for it – good deal!
I feel empowered by the past 6 months as it has been my choice and I am stronger for it. I realise to many, this blog will seem ridiculous, I also know to many it will resonate. You get on a wheel and just don’t have the courage or ability to jump off – because all your tribe does it or it’s expected of you or it’s in the job description or just because you chose it for fun. With me it gave me a confidence I was lacking in my appearance and allowed me to feel well groomed and confident -which I still do but perhaps in a more real way.
Cheers!
