Super Smart Spring Saving Strategies, Part 1

If you live in a cold weather climate like me, you know how easy it is to save money during the winter; you don’t feel like leaving the couch because the car door is frozen shut, you’re dressed in a down comforter and the ice is too treacherous for anything but Uggs. But as soon as St. Patty’s day passes, we Northerners feel the urge to spend on anything and everything, regardless of whether we want or need it.

Personally, I feel it’s my duty to take advantage of the beautiful weather … that concert I hate? Sure I’ll go! It’s too nice a day to waste in my apartment! Those ugly padded bike shorts? Throw ‘em in the cart! I’m bound to ride every other day in the lovely sun! We’re eating out again tonight? Well, if it’s al fresco, it’s a must! …The cycle enthusiastically goes on and on.

The spring spending cycle is good for business, but for those of us trying to reach our savings goals, a 70-degree day is enough to derail our monthly dining and entertainment budgets completely. So how can a fiscally responsible gal take advantage of the warmer weather without going for broke? Try a few of these smart saving strategies to start spring on the right foot.

Tip 1: Stop and think about it.
Let’s pretend it’s Saturday afternoon and you’re running to Target to pick up supplies and Rubbermaid bins for spring cleaning. While there, you spy you bff browsing cute new summer dresses. She invites you out to day drink and watch the NCAA games. You agree because, hell-o, it’s 65 out and sunny.

Two previously unnecessary dresses and $45 later, you’re off to the watering hole where you spend $50 on lunch and a few rounds of drinks. While there, you notice you’re late to meet a few friends for dinner, so you run home, change and take a $25 cab (it’s too late for a bus) to your $25 dinner, followed by another $40 on evening activities with the girls.

The next day, you know you had a great night, but your spending hangover leaves you feeling guilty and swearing off your friends for the next two weeks. When I was overspending, some variation of this scenario seemed to occur nearly every weekend in the spring and summer.

Sound familiar to you? Well, rest assured, I come bearing good news. While those of us on a budget can’t say yes to everything, it doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. In the scenario above, we could have made the following smart savings moves, had we stopped to think about them:

• Stayed away from shopping Target for cleaning supplies (the clothing racks are always too tempting)

• Stayed away from shopping Target for cleaning supplies (the clothing racks are always too tempting)

• Told that friend at Target to watch the afternoon games at our house over home-made Margaritas

• Or, met that friend at the bar after we had lunch at home

• Looked at our watch often enough to know when we needed to leave in order to take the train to meet our other friends

• Had a glass of water between each drink out to cut down on the total cost of the night

• Done research ahead of time to find specials on dinner and drinks

At any point of the day in the scenario, we had the chance to think about the actions we were taking and make a good decision. But we were too swept up in the moment to notice it.

The next time you find yourself saying yes to unplanned activity just because it’s a nice day, stop and think for a minute. Ask yourself these questions:

1. How will this interfere with what I already planned to do today? Will it make me run late? Will I need to replan my travel or today’s budget?
2. Can I take one simple step to make today cheaper?
3. Do I need to drop everything and do it right now, or can I take 15 minutes to make some adjustments that will save me a few dollars?
4. Do I want to do this? How will I feel after I do this?

Your answer to the above questions will help you determine how quickly you can adapt to the change of plans in a budget-friendly way. Sometimes, the best way to save money is to stop and think about the choices you make to understand how they can affect your bottom line.

More coming on this topic tomorrow!