Even When You are Poor
One of the most inspiring things I heard was from a lady who appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show. She was previously poor and disillusioned and had transformed into a well adjusted person. It was a simple sentence “I cleaned my house”. To me that was a turning point. OK so I was not a rich person, but being poor didn’t mean I had to live like a pig. I de-cluttered and cleaned my house and let me tell you it felt great. Extra cash was made from the sale of my clutter and my home felt great to be in.
If you are not filthy rich it doesn’t mean you have to live “filthy” poor. There are a few tips that may help you to have a sense of wealth and pride.
- Act rich by ensuring that your hair is brushed and tidy, trim the ends yourself to save money.
- Keep your nails trimmed and clean and don’t forget your toenails!
- Polish your shoes and make sure they are well maintained
- Stand up straight and tall when walking – be confident in yourself
- Keep elbows off the table when dining – play the part and don’t be rude
- If you are time rich and cash poor then volunteer – try at wealthy events or charity shops. This will improve your social skills, create links that may help you reach your goals and keep you out of the shops spending money you don’t have.
- Never pay retail – always get the best price for what you need. Make friends with shops like Target, Big W and Aldi. Check the clearance sections and always check products for faults (keep receipts for returns if items are faulty)
- Buy the classics. A good cut pair of jeans, simple black dress, white t-shirts – you know the practical items that never date (too quickly anyway). Wear what you have in your closet also. We all tend to stick to our favourites, but you may be surprised what you have and had forgotten about.
- Keep your teeth clean. A beautiful smile is priceless. Don’t worry if your teeth are crooked that adds character, just ensure that you keep your gums healthy (brush them when brushing your teeth) and floss. A great mouth wash for improving gum health is 1 teaspoon of salt in half a glass of warm water, rinse this vigorously around your mouth and spit out.
- If you keep fit you will tend to have a better outlook on life, as with eating healthy and studying to learn new things and improve your skills. You don’t have to waste a fortune on food. My grocery bill has reduced dramatically since I have eliminated animal products from my diet and actively grow my own vegetables, fruit and herbs.
- Don’t keep your best for best. I love this one. I would keep crockery, outfits, even makeup for best occasions, and funnily enough they would sit there and never get used. Just use them for this is the best time right now.
- Take pride in your processions. Maintain them and keep them clean – they will last longer and look like a million dollars even if they only cost a little.
Money cannot buy your happiness. Only you can achieve that through keeping your mind and body healthy and filled with goodness. You may not get Money 4 Jam from this article, though I hope you can take something from it to improve your life.