Prioritising YOUR Values: Lifestyle Choices I Make to Increase Rainy Day, Investment & Adventure Funds
I have never been someone to blow money. Money is hard earned. We sacrifice our most valuable asset; time, to make money. Simultaneously, I have always found a way to make money work for me, and often that comes in the form of making sacrifces elsewhere. (And a lot of patience plus riding out the tough times!)
Here are my personal tips and sacrifices that I make in order to increase my rainy day, investment and adventure funds. They may give you some food for thought too!
1.I Don’t Drink Alcohol.
I’m not officially ‘sober’, but I could not tell yo uthe last time I had an alcoholic drink (maybe my sister’s leaving party in July last year..) Drinking simply isn’t a part of my life, for a multitude of reasons. I enjoy taking care of my health, I can have a great time without needing to write off the next 2 days (because let’s be honest girls, a hangover in your 30s is a week long affair with a side of anxiety and life questioning), I live with severe migraines, I don’t need to GIVE myself another headache, and drinking doesn’t add enough to my life to justify spending money on. This can shave a tonne of the bill on date nights and holidays too.
2. I Don’t Follow Fashion Trends
I have a staple wardrobe of clothing and gymwear that suits me, and I invest in good quality clothing that are classic, that I will be able to wear for years. This means I’m not constantly rotating my wardrobe to keep up with fashion to impress others, or buying fast fashion that needs replacing after 2 washes. Spending a little more in one go can actually be much more cost effective in the long run. I own pairs of LuluLemon leggings and sports bras/jackets that I have worn for over 3 years, Skims dresses that are 2-3 years old and look brand new, and are all classic silhouettes that can be dressed up or down, used for multiple occasions, and never go out of style (we love a Taylor reference..).
3. I Cut Out Beauty Treatments.
I treat myself to the odd facial as a treat every so often, and I get my nails done every 6 weeks at a basic walk in salon. Aside from this, I have scaled RIGHT down. I have cut out false eye lashes, eyebrow tinting, highlights, and extras like lip fillers. Taking a more natural approach hasn’t just saved me tonnes over the year, it’s also really supported my body image too. Turns out I actually much prefer my natural self, and feel authentically me as opposed ot trying to keep myself as some perfect version of myself to keep up with society. Win win!
4. I Don’t Have/ Currently Want Children.
I think sometimes people my age forget that this is a choice and not an obligation. You are on no one elses time line but your own. And whilst finances are not the main factor in determining our choice around children, they are still a huge financial responsibility and decision. (And even more so being self employed with no company mat-pay etc). I personally have no desire to have a child right now. That may change, it also may not. We love our life as it is, nothing feels missing. And are in no rush to change our current dynamic. If/ when the time comes, if nature isn’t on our side, there are plenty of children who need a loving home.
5. We Are Not Married.
Maybe it’s because I don’t drink, but personally I can’t really justify spending tens of thousands of pounds on one day. It’s just not something I’ve ever wanted to spend money on or personally valued, and to have a big wedding day would mean I’d be doing that for other people and not from a place of wanting that for myself.
I believe that commitment is a choice we make every single day to each other, in how we show up, choose the relationship, and I don’t need a wedding to secure that choice. We feel we could create so many more memories with that money.
6. I Dedicate a Chunk of Time Comparing and Finding The Best Deals on Our Outgoings
We do not lose money on our bills/contracts. Every year, whenever a contract, bill or utility is coming to an end (insurances, internet, gas and electric etc..), I will sit and search and compare until I find the cheapest and best deals. I don’t stick with the same companies for convenience. I do the short term hard of moving around for the long term gain the rest of the year. Providing we are getting what we need, anything more is wasted money that would be better in our back pockets than huge companies’.
7. Two Things I DO Pay Out For Are My Phone & Laptop
As I am self employed, I run my businesses through these. They need to be responsive and reliable, and I need unlimited caps on my phone contract so that I can work form wherever in the world when I travel. I also pay a monthly fee for my Apple tech through Apple Business, which means I can upgrade freely, and have access to the business team and Apple Geniouses for tech issues as priority whenever I need. This is a worthwhile investment, and I prefer that as a set cost so I can budget, over paying as I go for travels costs etc.
8. We Aren’t Prioritising Home Improvements
We were fortunate enough to purchase a house last year. And although I LOVE seeing home decor and improvement inspo, it’s just not necessary for us right now. We’re comfortable and happy in our home, and would rather spend that money elsewhere. Our home is for us, not social media.
9. We Do The Basics Shopping in the Cheaper Supermarkets
Similar to energy costs, if you can get the same for cheaper, why pay more? Anything that is standard everywhere, we buy from Aldi (ie non branded items save £££). We often add in some treats and certain bits from M&S (fruit and veg - which aren’t to dis-similar in price and often better quality and taste), but the majority and shopping are planned and prepared, and we know what meals we are buying for each weeks so this is done in one go to prevent costly ‘top up shops’.
10. I Don’t Pay For a TV Package
Firstly, we barely watch TV. Secondly, when we do it’s something specific. Nothing we watch is on daytime/ terrestrial TV. We pay for Disney+, Amazon Prime and Netflix, and also watch Youtube.
We all live personal lives, and it’s important to get clear on YOUR values and priorities. I began saving a tonne of money when I seperated what I was doing to keep up with or impress others, vs what actually made me happy.
I hope you got some inspo from this list, and happy saving <3 That saving could be your next investment or adventure over the span of just a few months!
