Money, that wonderful intangible good that makes us all so happy. Those who say that money does not buy happiness, definitely have money to spare. However, like everything good in life, if we don't make good use of it, it will run out before we know it. That's why we have to know how to make smart use of our fantastic banknotes. I can't say that I do a great job at that, I think that like everyone else I have a few things I could do without in order to save some money.
The first thing to go should I need to cut back might be my precious streaming services, Bye Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and HBO MAX. Just writing that sent a shiver down my spine. Those who know me know that I LOVE watching movies and series, it's one of the activities I enjoy the most. That's why I've made sure I have a good amount of platforms available, so I can indulge my hobby. What about Spotify? You may ask, well, no one can live without some music to make their heart happy. The problem comes when you add up the cost of all those services. I won't do it, so I don't traumatise myself with how much I spend on them, but I know it's perhaps a lot more than it should be.
Could I cancel them? Of course, I could, they are not a staple product or service, I don't depend on them at all, there are "free" services I could turn to satisfy my need for entertainment. Do I want to? Of course not, they all give me the convenience of being able to watch what I like, at the moment they are released without having to search or try too hard, something that wouldn't happen with "free" services. Besides, how would my toddler watch his favourite cartoons without Netflix or Disney+?
Next on the list to go would be ice cream. Many will say this is a stretch, who can spend so much on ice cream that eliminating it would make any difference to their budget? ME. It may not be as big an expense as streaming platforms, but going three days a week for ice cream (and other delicious desserts), accompanied by a toddler who wants to eat the entire ice cream parlour, definitely puts a dent in anyone's pocket.
As it's not a staple food, of course we could go without a problem, I know that, and it would even help to improve our health. But the truth is that I love ice cream, despite being lactose intolerant and the fact that I don't eat many sweet things. Ice cream is my downfall, and in my town they make ice creams in too many delicious flavours to live without them. My weekends would be too boring without going to our favourite ice cream parlours, so for the time being, ice cream stays in the budget.
The last thing I can think of to add to the list of things that could go away or be reduced, but never will because I love them, are my haircare routine products. Yes, many people just need shampoo and that's it, but not me, of course not. I have THREE shampoos, two conditioners, a mask (which doubles as a conditioner and styling cream), a styling cream and I had a hair gel, but I just ran out, so I'm not counting that one. Actually, with only three (or even two) products I could manage just fine, but for some strange reason I ended up with that many.
Do I use them all? Of course I do, I rotate them as I see the state of my hair and as I remember (😅), but as I said, with two or three products I could do my whole routine without any problem. Would I do it? I doubt it very much (this is a not so blunt way of saying: hell no!), I like to have a good variety of products, so I can alternate them. I think that keeps my hair looking good and that gives me peace of mind, which I'm not willing to give up for any budget cuts.
Maybe there are more things I could do without, but these are the most significant to me and the ones I am definitely not willing to give up. While none of these three things are basic to my existence, and while I understand that for many they may seem like an exaggeration, they bring me peace of mind and happiness. That to me is worth more than any budget.
This has been my participation for the #weekend-engagement. WEEK 145, on the theme Saving money
Happy weekend to all of you.
Thank you very much for reading, see you in the comments
Pictures taken by me - Cover and banner edited in Canva - Cartoons made in Bitmoji.