My conversations with people about money usually goes like this “I am in so much debt, I need to cut back.”
Well, why are we in debt in the first place? Excusing those people who have kids I would say that most people acquire debt in trying to rid themselves of what they believe to be the biggest disease known to man: boredom.
Now, I excuse those people who have house and car debt since, for the most part you will go into debt for these purchases. For the rest of us it’s mostly credit cards or small loans that we have racked up.
Looking back over my purchases for the last 2 months I have picked up a Wii with games and controllers, alcohol, day trips, eating out, movie purchases, etc. All things I bought to cure my boredom with money I didn’t really have and used credit to acquire.
I would say that 90% of my credit card and small loan debts over the last 3 years have close ties to me trying to cure my boredom. So I decided to stop the bleeding of my funds and stopped buying things that are not “must needs.”
So what does this mean for my social life - Down the crapper right? Not necessarily.
I put together a small list of things I will be doing or have already begun to do to cure my boredom and help relieve my debt strains.
Borrow friends movies or T.V Shows
This is so key especially with TV series. Chances are your friend isn’t watching that season and a TV show can help with weeks if not months of nights when you have an “I’m bored” attack coming on.
Get Invited to Eat Out
This is an art that I have come to master over the years (especially when I play the single young man role). The meal will be excellent because your host is trying to impress you and chances are you will eat better and have more than if you did dropping $30 eating out.
Read a Book (borrowed from your friend obviously)
The best thing about reading other peoples books is that they come highly recommended so they will probably be good and when you are done the book, you can spend an evening talking about it with the person who leant it to you.
Be active and take advantage of our parks, play grounds and trails
These parks don’t exist because your kids need a place to go when you want them out of the house. I am sure most people have a football, basketball, soccer ball, etc sitting around. Get out and use it.
Stop Buying Clothes (or at least hit up value village or winners)
If there is anything I am learning, its taking advantage of deals and specials. If you have to get an article of clothing, shop around. Don’t be so quick to jump on the first thing you see. Take your time with it, have fun but be careful. Chances are, if you are “shopping around” you might find yourself wanting more than the one shirt you are looking for.
Treat your Car as a Last Resource
Not only will you make Dave happy by reducing your environmental impact, but seeking other means of transportation can be fun. Using the bus, biking (bumming rides of friends who are going in that direction) or asking yourself “do I really need to go there?”
Anyway, these are just a few. I am sure there are a million more I haven’t brought up.