It’s the New Year and I’m certain many people have made some
resolutions. And if studies are to be
believed, most people have already broken them.
The popular resolutions typically address health or money. I will lose weight, be in better shape,
etc. Or I will spend less, save more,
etc... Or some combination thereof.
On a side note, I was a little scared to go to the gym last
Saturday given that it was right after the New Years holiday. I figured it would be packed - and sure
enough it was.
Why do most resolutions fail?
It’s because in order to achieve those resolutions, it would require a
change in behavior in that person. Stop
eating those doughnuts or chips. Or stop
going out to eat or have to brown bag lunch each day for work. And for most people, the actions deny what
that person likes to do.
This brings me to my iced green tea, 2 lemons and 2 sugars. It’s what I order almost every day from
Dunkin Donuts. And in my town, it’s
$2.13.
If I followed the articles on the internet, if I just stop ordering
those, I could save serious money.
$2.13 times 5 days per week = $10.65
$10.65 per week times 52 weeks per year = $553.80
If I contribute $553.80 each year for the next 20 years, and
earn 5% interest, I would have $18,312!!!!
Yes, the math is correct. So
should I stop ordering iced teas?
YOU WILL HAVE TO PRY THAT ICED TEA FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS.
It’s my little enjoyment each day, so there is no way I’m giving
that up even though I want to save money.
So there has to be a better way.
Save money in a way where I don’t really feel it. And then if we can automate that, or make it
happen with little work, then those changes will stick.
What expenses could you cut in your budget that you and your family
wouldn’t feel? Comment with your ideas
below.
As a side note, instead of getting DD iced tea, sometimes I get
McDonald's. Large iced tea half cut -
half sweetened, half unsweetened. That’s
only $1.07! But I’m still not giving
that up!
