Make a Grocery List

To be Good

Every time you need something from the grocery store, write it down on a list.

To be Better

Trust it! The Simple Dollar says “Then, when you go to the grocery store, trust your list. Buy only what’s listed.”

To Start Off

You could start by just making a list before going for your groceries but then you’re buying what you think you need. However, this will start you off on the practice of only buying what’s on your list, which is pretty important.

Other Tips

• Put your list up on your fridge so you always know it’s there and it never gets lost • Hang a pen right next to it so that’s always there and never gets lost - come on, this is important :) •

Stay Positive

To be Good

If there is one thing worse than failing, it’s not learning from it. Whatever you’re doing you need to stay positive. Try again, and again and eventually it’ll work. You’ll be happy then.

To be Better

Keep smiling, help and encourage others, learn something new every day. All of these things help towards a positive mental attitude. After all, if you’re not enjoying life, you’re being miserable at it.

To Start Off

Smile at a random person you walk past on the street, see if they smile back. If they don’t keep trying the next person until they do. You’ve already made their day feel better and hopefully yours will be too.

Other Tips

• When going to bed, quickly review in your mind how your day has gone. If something happened you didn’t like, what can you do to change it tomorrow? •

Keep the Change

To be Good

When dining out at a restaurant, round up to the nearest $5 or $10 what you paid and put it into a jar at home. The money will soon rack up.

To be Better

Round up from any purchase and keep it, or just throw those $1 bills/coins into your jar when you remember.

To Start Off

If you have any change in your pocket at the moment, find an old jam jar and put it in straightaway. Don’t worry if it isn’t much, it’s just slowly making a hole in your pocket anyway, so better somewhere else than there.

Other Tips

• Don’t buy dessert when you eat out, instead throw the same amount in the jar • Tip yourself just as much as you tipped on your bill, then at least you have some lasting cash left from the evening •

Use Coupons where Possible

To be Good

Sometimes shops or manufacturers are falling over themselves to give you special offers. If you can find coupons for either the shops themselves or for products you know you’ll use, clip them and keep them near your shopping list.

To be Better

Many people use a folder to keep coupons in, ordered by their expiry dates. Whilst this seems extreme, it can save you a lot of money in the long run.

To Start Off

Find those easy vouchers such as the two-for-ones or the half-price coupons. Make sure that what you buy will be used.

Other Tips

• Don’t buy something if you aren’t going to use it • If you find an extra special deal on something you use regularly stock up (depending on storage space and perishability - a word I think I just made up) •

Stop Paying for your Landline

To be Good

Stop paying for your landline if you hardly ever use it. Use your mobile exclusively, even if this means paying for the next service bracket up (so long as it’s still cheaper).

To be Better

Think about getting VOIP phone installed at home. You already have the internet so getting one of these is a one-off charge and but a much smaller monthly charge.

To Start Off

Figure out how much you use your phone and whether it’s really necessary. Is it worth getting rid of for the saving you can make.

Other Tips

• Don’t get rid of your landline if it’s the only way for your Mother to contact you :) •

Grow your own Vegetables

To be Good

Grow some of your own vegetables. Find ones that are known to grow in your area pretty well and suit your soil type.

To be Better

Think about what you love eating and compare that to the cost in the shops. You might want to grow some of the more expensive vegetables, that way you can enjoy them at a more reasonable price.

To Start Off

Find a list of vegetables that are easy to grow and require minimum maintenance. That way you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour in the first year you try it.

Other Tips

• Remember to check the gardening calendar for what you should be doing all year around • Gardening is all about preparation, so keep doing little bits and pieces every month so you’ll be fully ready in the spring •

Eat at Home More Often

To be Good

Eating out is expensive, as is eating whilst on the run so eat at home more often. If you’re a social eater then invite others around to your house or even start a rotating weekly bring-a-plate between a group of you.

To be Better

Plan your meals for the week before you go shopping, that way you know exactly what you need and you’re not over-buying.

To Start Off

If you’re at home, don’t phone for take-aways. Just search online for ideas for quick meals, something under 15 mins will probably have you eating more quickly than you can get a delivery. It’ll be cheaper and better for you too!

Other Tips

• Make sure you have a collection of recipes you can fall back on when necessary (or search online) • Don’t be afraid to make things up to suit what is in your cupboards, especially if you’re not having guests around •

Write Your Goals Down

To be Good

Write down your long term goals and stick them on the fridge. Break these up into shorter term goals so that they don’t seem too far fetched. Strive a little towards one of your goals each and every day.

To be Better

Make your goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely), that way you know exactly what you’re aiming for.

To Start Off

Scribble some things down. Think about where you want to be in 5, 10 or 20 years time. Over time, refine them to match your current thinking and situation.

Other Tips

• Don’t worry if your goals are pie in the sky, you have to start somewhere and starting something is better than not starting at all • Keep your goals in mind and direct some of your energy into working towards them •

Shorten the Length of your Mortgage

To be Good

Instead of getting a 25yr or 30yr term on your mortgage, ask to have a 15 or 20yr term. That way you’ll end up paying a whole heck of a lot less interest.

To be Better

Think about it the other way. By paying extra now, you’ll shorten your term and pay way less interest. Thinking about it this way is more interesting.

To Start Off

Find an online mortgage calculator which lets you play around with the options so you can see what you might save and how much extra you have to pay now.

Other Tips

• Make sure you can afford the extra interest repayments • Remember that paying extra now isn’t money you lose, since it’ll all come off your principal

Check your Credit Record Every Year

To be Good

Get your credit record checked if you haven’t done it for a while.

To be Better

Do it every year. After all, you know how much is in your bank account, in your wallet or on your credit cards, why wouldn’t you want to know your credit score!

To Start Off

Depending on which country you are in, try and find out the credit agencies, find their websites or phone them up. Figure out what you have to do to get your record checked.

Other Tips

• If you’re young, your credit record might not contain much. Don’t worry, it’ll come as you start using various methods of credit (credit card, loans, mortgage, etc)c