The Writer’s Coin

It’s easier and more motivating to think of budgeting and saving as a series of problems that can be solved if you put a little thought into it.

For me, I have a few things that could prevent me from making my budget every week:

Problem: Books I love books. I also love to read, but having books around and getting more is something I really like to splurge on. I tell myself that I shouldn’t buy any more books until I finish reading the ones I already have, but it doesn’t work all the time.
Solution: Get a library card. You get all the books you want for free. If they don’t have it they can get it for you from another library, so you really can’t lose.

Problem: Movies. I love to watch movies. Problem is, going to the movies is getting more and more expensive. Ten bucks plus a drink and you are in the hole pretty good if you go consistently.
Solution: Find other options. There are local options if you just look.
- Here in Chicago there are places like Time Out Chicago that give away tickets to movies before they even come out, you just have to enter and stay on top of your email to get in.
- Join the Five Buck Club. After a movie has played for two weeks, you can go see it for just five dollars. That’s half price—a great deal. Again, over time, it adds up.
- Join Netflix. It’s a great “stay at home” option and, if you watch movies relatively consistently, it pays off. Plus the selection is incredible.

The key is to find solutions to your own particular problems. And don’t worry, you’ll never overcome them all. No one is perfect.

Do you have any problem-solving stories you are proud of?

Tags: Books, Budgeting, movies