Walking the thin line between cheap and frugal can be difficult when you’re trying to save money. If you don’t like fussing over every cent you spend, think of your expenses as “Ten Buck” decisions. They quickly add up to produce savings or, at the very least, more cash for you to work with.
Picture: Images Money/Flickr
Mr Money Mustache writes at his blog:
Ten dollars will still buy about 9 pounds of delicious, kickass, nutritious, muscle-building rolled oats — still one of my favourite foods today despite being able to afford fancier things. Or two gallons of organic milk. Or enough gasoline to drive over 100 miles in a good car. WEEKS worth of regular driving. Or enough natural gas to provide hot water for showers and dishwashing for a family for several weeks.
Ten Bucks is a lot of money. So you need to respect it. Ten dollar bills are not just food stamps or amusement park coupons that you fork over by the dozen to get restaurant meals, smokes, strippers, drinks, tourist attraction admission, and assorted domestic services. Each Ten is a critical brick in the Early Retirement castle you are building.
Although the examples he uses in the article are really high (he suggests trying to cut 40 Ten Buck decisions per week to save $400 per week), the idea of saving in small increments is still critical to accumulating cash. Identify your Ten Buck habits and eradicate some of them.
A Millionaire is Made Ten Bucks at a Time [Mr. Money Mustache]
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