Outrageous Living -- Learning to Live on More

When people are tightening their belts, home values have dropped, the stock market has plummeted and credit is nearly impossible to find you know it is necessary to make changes. However, just because we live in the New Normal era, your mind should not be focused on living in poverty. Your mind should be focused on living in abundance and outrageously so. You can make that your goal and make it happen by taking certain steps.

You may think this is impossible but that is because you are not accustomed to thinking in the Certain Way necessary to achieve success. How can you actually live abundantly when there is less? How can you enjoy the pleasures of life when there is a global financial crisis?

Here is how:

Make lists. You must make three lists. The first one is income and expenses. You need to know what is coming in and going out so write down your income and then list your major basic expenses in detail: food, shelter, loans, utilities and guess what percentage of your income goes to pay those. The second list should contain those same expenses and what percentage you desire to spend on those items. The third list must show exactly what actual percentage is being spent on those items. If the third list does not match up to the second, adjust your spending.

Use savings. If you have money put away, now is the time to take out some. To assist with monthly bills and a few small indulgences which are worth paying for even in a tight economy.

Eat well. Limit dining out to once a week and use the money you formerly spent on it to buy a basic cookbook, one of your favorite type of food, and ingredients for making fabulous dishes at home. Before you go shopping, eat well and make a list, so you do not make impulse purchases. You can eat the leftovers for lunch the next day or as starter for something else. In fact, pack delicious lunches for yourself.

Drink at home with friends. There are many discount beverage stores. Go to one and buy the sparkling water, teas, beers, specialty coffees and alcohol you like at much cheaper prices than at a regular store or bar. Invite friends over to make it a social event and put out some snacks.

Enjoy the Summer. Pack a tasty picnic lunch and go to the park. Do most of your cooking on the outside grill (fish, meats and vegetables) and serve cold vegetable and fruit salads. You can also make pasta and other things outside that require being heated in a heavy pot if you grill is big/strong enough.

Use the park’s natural running paths and soft grass for exercising. Yoga, tai chi and other martial arts can be done outdoors. Exercising on a mat on the grass gives is good cushioning and running on dirt is better for your knees than running on cement. It certainly is more scenic than a treadmill.

Make sure you go outside everyday for at least an hour and get some sunshine because it raises your serotonin levels and that makes you feel quite happy and able to see the possibilities of the day!

Stay warm in Winter. Put on the thermal underwear, flannels and sweats to keep personally insulated, then turn down the thermostat. Keep up with your full rent or mortgage payment and communicate with the landlord or lender if you need to make an adjustment.

Take regular bubble baths. Relaxing the body reduces mental stress and expands your ability to better enjoy life. You can purchase cheap bubble bath gels, bath salts and oils. You can also use homemade bath salts that can be made inexpensively (1 cup Epsom salts, 1 cup sea salt, 1 tablespoon of essential oils or perfume, and if you like, some food coloring). You can even make a large batch of this in your kitchen and put it in jars to give as gifts to friends.

Be touched. We need our bodies to be touched in order to thrive. It slows down our blood pressure and brings us inner peace and relaxation. Look in local magazines for discount coupons on foot massages and reflexology or full body massages at massage training schools. Check around for inexpensive nail salons. I know salons where you can get both a manicure and a pedicure, in a clean shop, for $20.

Take an Asian vacation. Keeping your mind focused on peace and the positive is easy to do when you take an Eastern direction. Use a DVD or find a free class and learn yoga, tantra, or tai chi – or all of them. Practice them at least 3 days a wee. Listen to soothing oriental music (can you hear the woodflutes?).

Host movie night. If you are not already a member, join an inexpensive service like Netflix and or run to the local video store and get 2-3 DVDs. Make some homemade popcorn and invite friends and family to join you for movie night.

Use free pleasures. Speaking of movies, take advantage of the free DVDs, CDs and books at your public library. You pay for them with your taxes so why not indulge?

If you would like partnering and support in changing your mindset so that you can change your life (get financially free, enjoy life more, become more creative, be abundant and more) start coching with me today! Coaching is $1200 for 3 hours to use as you desire.

To your success!

Barrett