Some friends say they earn just a small monthly salary and don't have any side gigs, so they can't save any money at all! For ordinary office workers who follow the same routine every day, it's indeed difficult to save a large sum each month without any additional sources of income. However, the advice on saving money has always been: it's not about being frugal to the point of stinginess, nor is it necessary for everyone to start a side hustle; it's simply about avoiding wasteful spending.
In daily life, if you can consciously avoid wastefulness, while you
might not save big bucks immediately, you'll certainly be able to save some
pennies.
Many people might think, "Since I don't have much money anyway, why
not enjoy life to the fullest?" Forgive me for being blunt, but this is
not the mindset of someone who's living life well. Particularly with these 5
things, the sooner you stop them when you're broke, the better!
1. Stop staying up
late
I know quite a few people who stay up late either to work and earn money
or to self-improve in hopes of making more money. But if staying up late to
earn money compromises basic health, won't it lead to even more financial
strain when your health deteriorates? During a period when my children were
very young, I tried to improve myself as quickly as possible by working super
hard and being extremely disciplined (often staying up late to finish tasks).
However, that was also the time when my immune system was at its lowest, and I
frequently had to visit clinics for injections and medication. Not only did I
not make any money, but I also spent quite a bit, not to mention the suffering.
Eventually, I came to a conclusion: Regardless of whether you make money or
not, prioritize your health, stop staying up late, and take care of your body
first.
2.Stop impulse
shopping
I truly understand the impulse to buy things. Just last weekend, I
bought a pair of jeans myself. However, jeans are a necessity because the ones
at home are either very old or too tight (okay, I admit I might have gained a
bit of weight in middle age). But did you know? At that time, I also really
wanted to buy a top to match the jeans. I tried on about six or seven options,
and there were two that I really liked: one was a light green striped linen
shirt with 3/4 sleeves, and the other was a cream-colored long-sleeved T-shirt.
I was truly tempted to buy them all. However, after a moment of thought, I
realized I already had two shirts at home and several white short-sleeved ones.
Thinking of this, I controlled myself and left without making any purchases.
Thank goodness for that moment of reflection, which prevented me from making an
impulse purchase.
3.Stop being idle
From childhood to adulthood, I've always been aware that without any
special resources or innate talent, hard work is the key to success in both
learning and life. After all, isn't living about finding things to do for
ourselves regularly? I've always had a somewhat biased view: once someone
becomes idle, trouble follows. So, you see, wherever there are many idle people
in a household, things usually don't go well. Many years ago, there was a young
man who hadn't studied much. Later, through a referral, he got a job at a mobile
phone repair shop and has been working there for many years. It's said he's
still there now. Yes, people aren't afraid of you earning less or lacking big
ambitions; they're afraid of you being idle all day and drifting aimlessly.
Don't ever try those shortcuts to make money; sooner or later, you'll land
yourself in trouble. If you're broke, find a decent job, work diligently, and enjoy
the warmth of family life!
4.Stop complaining
about being poor
I truly can't understand why some people keep complaining about being
poor. Complaining about being poor doesn't solve any problems or earn any
money. So, remember, don't cry poverty in front of others because they won't
give you any money; they'll just laugh at you. Also, don't often think to
yourself that you're just like this and will be poor for the rest of your life.
I believe that in life: you must often encourage yourself, keep yourself
energized, and then work hard to make money. This kind of outlook on life may
not make ordinary people rich and prosperous, but living a stable and
comfortable life shouldn't be a problem. Look around, those families that were
once very poor but kept quiet about it later turned out fine. Parents' hard
work is seen by their descendants, who then tend to be more capable. I think
this is how most individuals, through self-motivation and effort, achieve
family transformation. So, never cry poverty; strive and work hard at all
times.
5.Stop comparing
Comparing yourself to others brings nothing but frustration. When poor
people compare themselves to rich people, it feels like they've fallen from
heaven to hell. When I was young, my family was really poor. Our family squeezed
into two small rooms. At that time, I envied classmates who had their own
houses. My mother probably sensed what I was feeling because she said:
"You're students now, so don't compare what you eat and wear with others.
Instead, compare who studies better. If you study well, you'll get a good job
in the future and can have whatever you want." Looking back now, those
words might have been a bit crude, but there was nothing wrong with the values
they instilled: don't compare what you don't have with others; create what you
want for yourself. So, whenever I hear about who's rich and what they've bought,
I'm almost indifferent, and I don't feel any vanity or jealousy. Because I
know: what others have is what they've created, and what I want, I'll create
for myself.
Some friends might think, "We work so hard every day to earn money,
isn't it for spending?" I admit, it's for spending. But, the key is how
you spend it: I have no hesitation when it comes to: buying books for myself,
buying jeans (I try them on in stores rather than endlessly comparing options
online), signing up for lessons with experienced teachers when I want to learn
a new skill… These are non-negotiable for me. What people see might be my
frugality and simplicity, but only I know: this is my abundance in life, and I
find joy in it.
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