Do you want to know why New Year’s resolutions don’t work? Because the New Year starts in January — when it is cold and you are broke. January is a time when you need to keep your spirits high and you are trying to pay off bills — going on a diet or budget is just setting yourself up to fail.
I like to start my resolutions on June 1st. All of the holidays are over. You are done blowing your diet or paycheck on a super bowl party, an enormous heart-shaped box of candy, green beer, or creamy chocolate eggs.
Starting in May, there are many opportunities to save money and invest in your future. Let’s get going!
In June….
Shop local nurseries
Not only are the flowers cheaper at local nurseries, oftentimes they were grown in your home state. That means that they are more acclimated to the soil and the temperature than ones at the grocery store (that usually come from Washington, Oregon or California).
The last day to start a fall garden
Aside from spending time with mom, make sure your garden is planted by Mother’s Day. This is essentially the cut-off for growing veggies if you want to eat them all before snow. Growing veggies in a garden is soooo much cheaper than buying them at the store.
Throw a multi-family Garage sale!
Do you know how crazy people go over garage sales? They especially love it at the beginning of summer when it is relatively cool and they haven’t blown all of their money at other garage sales. Ask your neighbors to all go into it on the same day – people will drive many miles for a multi-family garage sale. Advertise in your free local classifieds.
Spend half on your Propane
Spend less than half to fill up a propane tank than to buy a new one. Fill it up! Potluck season is about to begin!
Vow for 30
Vow to do 30 minutes of exercise and gardening a day. Your health will improve substantially and your lawn will be perfect in no time!
Sell your summer clothes
Want to get top dollar for your clothes? Sell them in season! Get out the summer clothes that don’t fit or you don’t wear and sell them at the local consignment shop or online. Get some extra $$!
Sunday only paper
Sign up for the local paper — but only for Sunday. In most areas it costs just $1 a week. Then vow to find at least $10 in savings each week — of stuff you would normally buy. It is easy to find half off on haircuts! Or use it to find free local events for the month. Plan your meals around what is for sale in the grocery store ads. Then share what you don’t use from the paper with a neighbor.
Garage sale shop
Remember that garage sales are the best place to find what you need! Buy some shorts for $1 that actually fit. Find a game that your kids will love for the summer. Anything and everything is out there! Holiday paper, books shelves, and brand new clothing.
Word of caution: don’t buy stuff that you will never use – that will drain the finances and clutter up your house.
Farmers market
Hundreds of farmer’s markets open around the country at the end of May or early June. Save hundreds of dollars and help local businesses. Buy real organic – the kind that doesn’t use fossil fuels to ship in organic from California. Plus the stuff is fresh. Have you ever had fresh eggs?
Think about goals one year from now
Start your goal for one year from now. Have you always wanted to train for a marathon? Well did you know that you need to train almost a year in advance? Now is the time to start for next year! Download “how to train for a marathon” off of the Internet.
Invest in your future
Try to do something every day to invest in your future. There is almost always that someone can do to improve his or her finances. Invest in the company’s 401K. Boost your savings account this year, or open a money market account, or a high yield cd account to help you save up for things like purchasing a new car or home.
If just gave you a few ideas to get your summer started! Have fun! Be creative! Improve your life! Send me other summer suggestions! Love to hear it!
