Controlling My Spending, My Way

[Ryan J Bruun]

I've realized that the biggest factor that is helping me to limit the amount that I spend is the fact that I don't have a car. Of course, without a car, I don't have to pay for gas, insurance, and repairs, which is a boon for a guy making less than a grand a month. But it goes beyond that. I live at least six blocks from the nearest grocery store, which means that, on foot, it takes me almost 20 minutes to get there. By the time I do my shopping and get back, the trip has taken an entire hour of my life. On the walk back I have to carry my groceries, which is uncomfortable, tiring, and annoying. If it's cold out, I'm cold. If it's hot, I'm hot. If it rains, I get wet and most likely my groceries do, too. 

But I'm not complaining. In fact, I think that I'm lucky. Because of my situation, it's physically difficult for me to spend money. That, combined with a Scrooge-like aversion to spending, and I find I spend so little that the pittance I make at my part-time job is enough to cover my expenses- and then some. A couple of years ago, I never would have thought that I could be content and even happy living a budgeted lifestyle. Now, budgeting is part of my lifestyle. 

This time of my life has taught me something: it's not how much you make, but how much you spend that determines whether or not you're financially stable. If you have control of your spending, then the amount of money you make can be enough, no matter how low it is. And one of the ways to control your spending is to just make it hard to spend money. For me, the difficulty is involuntary. Once I decide to take the (minor) plunge and purchase a bike, I'll have to create other, voluntary obstacles that make it possible for me to control my spending. 

If there's anybody on Biggerpockets that feels like they need a high income to be able to be financially stable, I hope you see this post and realize that YOU control your life, not your paycheck. If you're like me and you're just starting out life, and you don't have the best paying job or the best situation, realize that the ability to change your life lies inside of you. Make the commitment to improve, and stick to it.