When planning for your retirement, how do you reconcile your wants with your needs and then realizing you are now on a fixed income. how does this affect not only your bottom line every month but also your life style.  Do you have a process in place for this or will you fly by the seat of your pants?  Perhaps punting is the way to go?  And perhaps now is the time when you panic because you realize you have not prepared properly.  Perhaps you will decide you will keep working as long as possible.

Looking at one’s budget is most likely the best place to start looking at where you can prune and cut back on expenses.  Not driving to work and not having to eat out at lunch will certainly save you some money.

Money

Are there other places you can save money as well.  What about looking around you and identifying those things where you can save some money.  Here are a few things from www.vibrantnation.com.

The Bare Bones Budget Mantra – Everyday do something for:

1. the business

2. the house

3. yourself

4. your spouse

1. The business:  this could include looking for work, polishing your resume, volunteering for an organization where you can learn skills and mingle with those who might know of jobs in your area of interest.  You might look at re-arranging expenses, such as cutting cable TV and the gym (temporarily?) out of your budget and replacing them with biking to errands, and going to the library to check out books and DVD’s for entertainment.  Investing in something for your home that will replace the gym may be OK here.  Check out www.resistancechairsystem.com, especially if you have to sit to exercise.  ‘Business’ can include making money as well as saving money and educating yourself.  Learn a new skill.  Educate yourself.

2. The house:  If you have a house or apartment this would include clearing out a little clutter each day, or vacuuming, or doing something to maintain and upkeep your home.  If you’re not sure where to start, check out online clutter advice sites such as flylady.net.  If you are living with family or friends, this means helping with cleaning, cooking, or in some way to support the home environment.  If you are in a shelter or car camping, this means maintaining your environment by cleaning your area and making sure your belongings are clean and organized so you can get to them easily.  It also means – in whatever place you call home – that you find something to appreciate about it each day. Develop an

Giving Thanks

To help provide some of your own fresh food, consider starting an edible garden.  Although it takes some planning and time, putting in a rain garden will also do a lot to conserve water and grow things at the same time.  Check your local nursery or farmers market for herb starts that can grow in window pots, or edible landscaping plants for urban as well as rural use.  You can ask at your church or community bulletin board, or on www.freecycle.org. for starts from those looking to re-home their excess plants.  If you need help getting started, check out your local extension office.

3.  Yourself:  This is the area that those under stress often forget about, but it’s very important.  Every day do something you love.  Something that makes you smile.  If it makes you happy and it is important to YOU – you should indulge.  Take a walk, read a magazine, pick herbs from your garden and put them in a stew or make tea.  Take that stretched and pilled sweater that’s too small and make a scarf for yourself. Snuggle with your puppy, take a bubble bath, eat a bonbon.  Do something creative, or something that makes you feel pampered.  Treat yourself.

4.  Your Spouse:  If you are married or in a special relationship, do something kind for your special someone – rub their shoulders, do a chore for them that they hate, make their favorite snack and deliver it to them with a smile.  If you aren’t married, do something kind for a friend, family member, co-worker, neighbor, or person you don’t know that could use some cheering up – like saying a kind word to that overtaxed store checker, or holding the door open for the young mom with a fussy baby.  Your kindness will make the world a better place.

Budgeting your life, money, time, emotional and social resources and more, are all a part of living a healthy and happy life.

What ideas can you add to these 4 tips?  Share what you know.