How to save money this summer and still live your life
Saving money can be stressful AF but it does not have to be, and there are many things you can do to save money and still have fun!
Prioritise when to save and when to spend
Sometimes, buying that new dress feels like the right thing to do in that situation, that and you want the dress. However, learn to prioritise what is important. If you are going for dinner in the week, cut back on non-essential shopping. Travelling may be your ultimate goal and therefore cutting back on city breaks will help you get there! Learn to identify what you really need and what you want.
The summer fun fund
After summer has passed, you may be thinking about other events, like Christmas. Setting up a summer fund will allow you to be able to do the things that you want to do, without spending your current money in one go. Set aside a targeted amount every month and do not spend it until the summer!
A side hustle
You may have a hobby or a smart way of making money, but you just do not know how to get started. Put some effort into turning your hobby into money, by selling items you make on Etsy or eBay. Writing may be your passion; start a blog and sell space for advertising! The possibilities are endless.
Socialising
As much as summer is all about going out and socialising with friends, it can become expensive. Prioritise which events you need to go to or opt for some free events. Saving does not have to be boring.
Travel wisely
If you have the money to start off your travelling journey, do it wisely. Swap expensive hotels for an apartment or buy a van and revamp it! Do your research beforehand and figure out a long-term plan.
Embrace a Positive Mindset With These 3 Strategies
I think we all have stages during life where we get stuck in a rut and negative thinking creeps in. So how do you go about changing your mindset from a negative to positive one?
Adopt a morning gratitude practice
The most effective way to shift a negative mindset is by starting out in the morning. Before you get out of bed, think of three things that you are grateful for. Now if you find this hard to start with, it is easiest to start with something that is very surface level. For example: Being grateful that you managed to wash up, or do the laundry yesterday. Gratitude does not have to be deep, it is the start of tricking your mind in a positive direction. As you become more accustomed to thinking positively every morning, gratitude will occur naturally.
Audit your time - and who you spend it with
I am sure that you have been around people who have been continuously moaning, and maybe you leave that situation feeling drained and negative. It is true, emotions are contagious and therefore it is important to surround yourself with people that lift you up and inspire you. If you are spending too much time with people who have a negative mindset themselves, you will end up adopting that mindset and shifting to a positive outlook will become more difficult. If you want to have more of a positive mindset, think about how and where you spend your time, and what can be changed to bring positivity into your life.
Remember to be kind to yourself
Shifting from a negative to positive mindset starts with understanding where you are right now. If you feel sad or angry, let yourself feel it but try to work out the cause and work on that. What can you do to actually make yourself feel better? Maybe you need to chat to a close friend or take a brisk walk to connect with the outdoors. It is important to comprehend why you feel a certain way, and being proactive about doing something to change the way you feel. Shifting your mindset starts with being kinder to yourself, acceptance and taking steps to change.
What do you do when you are stuck in a negative rut?
Boost Your Productivity With These 5 Tips
1. Goal setting – Yes I know; everyone says it is important to set goals but that is because it is isn’t it? I know that when my productivity is lacking, I set goals for that day and I end up getting so much more done, but why are goals so important? Well goals give you a sense of direction and they also highlight all the tasks you need to get done for that day, making you essentially more productive right? If goal setting is your thing, I am going to write a post on how to set SMART goals and ensure that you achieve them, so stay tuned.
2. Planning – Once you have set your goals, you can plan on how you will achieve them. Planning can be as vague or as detailed as you want to make it, but I suggest that the more detailed your plan, the easier it is to stay productive as you have a clear vision of your goals. I like to use massive paper or a whiteboard to construct my plans on and I always make them look good. Once you have completed your plan, get on with it!
3. Accountability buddy – The best way to keep your motivated and productive is to get yourself an accountability buddy. This can be anyone that is in the same position as you and ideally doing similar tasks to you. It is great to chat to someone with similar interests about your goals and plans and how to best achieve your goals. Exploring new ideas together can encourage motivation, productivity and achievement.
4. Learning – When you have learnt something new in the past, has it made you feel motivated to want to learn and do more? Learning something new is a great way to boost your motivation and productivity. This does not have to be expensive either, learning does not have to involve expensive courses, you could read a new book or listen to a podcast. The more you learn, the more you will want to do.
5. Balance – Don’t forget that being productive requires you to keep your life balanced. When you are planning your goals, add a few activities to do during the day or week to keep yourself active, motivated and productive. When I first started FBC, I was working all day every day and this really had a massive impact on my productivity. I noticed that I could work for a whole day and then feel demotivated the next. When I started to balance my days, I became so much happier and more motivated. I was spending time with my friends and family, but would look forward to the time spent on making my business a success, therefore balancing is key!