Not everyone wants to live life in the lap of luxury. If you’d rather have a simple life, you can definitely do it, even if you don’t have a lot of funds in your bank account. Living a simple life with little money is more sustainable than spending a lot daily, so you’ll surely find more joy in the mundane and simple things. Whether you’re doing it because you want to or have to due to your circumstances, it’s an achievable lifestyle that only requires a bit of intelligent decision-making and perseverance. If you’re ready to try living like this, keep reading. This article will give tips to help you start this simple lifestyle and keep you from emptying your wallet.
Deal With Property Damage ASAP
If you want to keep living a simple life with little money, you should start with your home property. Your home should be a comfortable space for you and your family, a haven where you can relax after a long day at work. But if the structure is damaged, you’ll live in worry, not just for your finances but also for the safety of your loved one. Because of this, you should keep up with property maintenance and fix home damage as soon as possible. This will prevent the issues from getting worse, ultimately helping save money from more extensive fixes later.
Start with your roofing. The roof protects the entire structure, keeping your family safe from the elements. If this area of your house has a few leaks or missing shingles or tiles, you should call your roofing contractors to fix it immediately. Simple roof damage may not hinder your household activities today, but it can quickly become a big problem later. If you’re not careful, you may have to deal with soaked ceilings, mold, and entire roof replacement. Get regular roof inspections as much as possible to prolong the life of your current roof.
Next, you should also check your basement. This space is often forgotten because you usually use it as a storage area for things you no longer use. However, it can hide a few issues if you neglect this space. For example, basement flooding is common, especially during the rainy and winter seasons. If you find moisture or puddles in your basement, work with water damage mitigation specialists to keep the issue from causing more problems. These professionals will help you remove the water from your basement and prevent it from reentering the space.
You should do a bit of preventive maintenance to keep your family safe, allowing you to keep living a simple life with little money. For one, your home can be damaged by dead trees and overhanging branches when storms and high winds pass through your region. Be proactive and take care of your trees to prevent them from destroying your house. There are cheap tree removals that you can hire if you’re not comfortable doing the trimming job yourself. By dealing with damage to your home as soon as possible and preventing it from occurring in the first place, you can save more money in the long run.
Maintain and Repair Expensive Belongings
Alongside fixing home damage ASAP, you should also focus on your more expensive belongings to keep living a simple life with little money. Aside from the actual home itself, one of the most costly possessions you may have is your car. Your vehicle costs a lot, including maintenance and ongoing expenses like fuel. As such, you should maintain it well to avoid more expensive issues later. Take your vehicle to your mechanic regularly and ask them to thoroughly check the machine. This ensures nothing is amiss, and your car can keep running without problems.
You might also have appliances that make your home comfortable and convenient. These machines are not cheap at all. Every appliance can cost a fortune, from blenders and stovetops to refrigerators and televisions. If you want to keep them functional for as long as possible, take care of them. Different devices need different maintenance tasks, but they all require cleaning and proper usage to prevent breakdowns. You can keep them in the best condition by following the manufacturer’s instructions and getting your appliances checked at the first sign of malfunction.
Most families will also have handy smart computers that cost a lot. No matter the size of your computer device, you should care for it to avoid replacing it earlier than needed. For example, your desktop computers and laptops can slow down over the years, so you want to bring them to your local computer repair shop if you’re having issues while using them. Your smartphones also require professional checkups now and then to ensure they can do what you want them to do.
Living a simple life with little money doesn’t mean you must get rid of these expensive possessions, but instead, care for them and keep them functional for as long as possible. Even if you don’t earn a lot, some maintenance will allow you to keep using these things without breaking down and requiring serious repairs. It will also be better for the environment as you’ll keep your devices in good condition for longer while preventing much of your used junk from contributing to landfills.
Vacation Wisely
Although it can limit your options for vacation destinations and activities, living a simple life with little money is still viable if you’re smart with your finances. Going on a vacation doesn’t always have to be expensive. You can find various affordable and free activities that are just as fun as those lavish tours and explorations. Just make sure you do your research, and you’ll always have many options for local and abroad vacation spots.
You can start by choosing a relatively cheap destination. Staying at home and relaxing with a warm bath, a good book, and a few scented candles is much more affordable, but it doesn’t always scream ‘vacation.’ If you want to go out, consider places near you, like rivers, lakes, and mountains. These are usually accessible areas where you and your family can roam and explore nature with just some packed lunches and bottled water. You may also find free events like local concerts and performances that can add an artistic touch to your vacation.
Now, choose the right accommodations if you want to go further away from home. There are plenty of affordable vacation houses for rent that you can book on websites like Airbnb, giving you many vacation options. Depending on the season, you can also find some cheap, reasonably priced hotels. Always be on the lookout for these great deals so you can schedule your trip accordingly.
For people with kids, make sure you also find activities to keep them entertained. For example, consider enrolling them in local summer camps where they can make friends, try fun activities, and learn a few practical and life skills in the wilderness. Your little ones will also enjoy some time away from you, which you may take advantage of and treat as a break from parenting. Vacationing while living a simple life with little money can still be fun if you plan everything ahead of time, especially your finances.
Find Simple Ways to Improve Comfort
You should be able to relax at home after a stressful day at work. But if you’re living a simple life with little money and your house is not inviting or comfortable, you can make a few cheap and easy adjustments to change the space into something you love. With some creativity and resourcefulness, your home can be an oasis where your stress dissipates as soon as you enter the front door.
Start with creating a sense of coziness. Consider investing in cozy pillows and bedding to add warmth and personality to your space. You can also find cute blankets and rugs to match them. Remember, you don’t have to spend a lot on these additions. Look out for sales and discounts, or visit thrift stores and garage sales, and you’ll surely find a few good things. Once done, your living room and bedroom will be an irresistible relaxation space for you and your family.
Next, play with the ambiance. You don’t want your home to feel empty or too stuffy. Aim for the middle ground and create an open yet intimate space where everyone can do their stuff without disturbances from the outside world. Try investing in blackout blind and curtain installations to control how much natural light enters your house. You can also buy cheap scented candles to bring a different aroma to your living space. Of course, you should also have the right temperature indoors for that perfect relaxation area in your home.
Lastly, add a few thoughtful decorations for some personality. One of the best ways to avoid spending too much on decor is to DIY these items. Instead of buying art pieces to hang on your wall, create them yourself so you can customize how they would complement your home aesthetic. You can also buy cheaper things in outlet malls and stores if you want to find a peculiar item. Always be creative and resourceful to save money on these simple items.
Reduce Your Maintenance Needs
The home has various maintenance needs, from repairs to replacements. Most of them are essential tasks you can’t escape, but there are other things you can let go of to save more of your earnings in the long run. Aside from saving money, you’ll also save more time and energy as you eliminate your house’s not-so-efficient items and activities.
For example, your lawn is one of the most time-consuming areas of your home. You want to keep it green and beautiful, but your grass and plants don’t always cooperate, leaving you with wilting spots and ugly sprouts. Consider artificial grass installations if you’re not a fan of cultivating a garden landscape. Instead of constantly worrying about the health of your lawn grass, you can shift the focus to your other needs by replacing the real ones with artificial grass. This saves you a lot of time from mowing and watering and a lot of money from buying fertilizers and mulch.
You can also let go of your vehicle if you don’t use it much. Especially in the city, your car can be an expensive thing to have. You’re always worrying about where to park it, refilling it with fuel despite rising oil prices, and repairing it if it shows signs of wear and tear. If you’re ready to commit to living a simple life with little money, consider using a bicycle instead. This not only keeps you from spending a lot on transportation, but you’ll also contribute to reducing pollution.
Optimize Your Energy Use
Lastly, living a simple life with little money entails optimizing your energy use at home. Many people spend thousands of dollars yearly on energy bills, which is not always sustainable. If you want to save a bit more money, you want to focus on building an energy-efficient home. Start with your HVAC system, which consumes much energy for everyday use. Make sure you schedule regular inspections to detect issues early. HVAC repair will also ensure your system doesn’t struggle while providing tempered air indoors.
Solar power is also an excellent way to lessen your reliance on your electric company. With solar panels on your roof, you can harness free power from the sun and convert it into usable energy for your home devices. This is also more eco-friendly, allowing you to use green power for gadgets and appliances that consume too much electricity. You can also invest in emergency generators that can store the power you collect and use it in times of need. Using a renewable energy source ensures you don’t use too much electricity or contribute to the destruction of the environment.
If you want to keep living a simple life with little money, always be smart and resourceful. There are many ways to save money without sacrificing all the good things in life. The tips discussed above should help you start this lifestyle, allowing you to lower your expenses and find ingenious ways to get by on a budget. With a few minor changes, you can have a simpler life and enjoy your time with your loved ones, no matter how much time and money you’re willing to spend.
