Ok, here are some tough changes that can save a lot of money. I know, I do them! These are suggests for those who are truly in financial straights.
1. Cancel cable. Oh yes, it’s hard. But you will read more, get out more and meet more people. If you keep cable, call and say you are thinking of cancelling and would love a special deal.
2. Replace cable with Netflix if you are really into movies. For $9 a month you can watch unlimited movies as well as ones on your computer. Wait for $10 movies to come out on DVD. (You save money on popcorn as well.) I went to the movies last night- if I had watching a movie, bought popcorn and a drink – it would have been over $20! Yikes.
3. Go cash only- I bring dollar bills with me when I go out. I plan what I’m going to spend before I leave the house. This changed . If you bring a $20, you will spend a $20- especially if you’re depressed or slightly manic.
4. Have a potluck with friends where there is a limit to how much you can spend. $5 is a good amount.
5. Dive less, walk more. It makes a big difference!
6. Call all of your extra expenses including your cell phone company and say, “I may have to cancel my phone, so I would love a deal.” You may be shocked at the savings.”
7. Manage bipolar disorder as best you can- less mood swings means more ability to work and make money. Less mood swings means fewer money mistakes. This is especially true with mania. When I started using my Health Cards for mania, my life changed financially for the better. I write about this in Bipolar Happens! as well.
I could do a list of 50 suggestions here, but I guess it’s good to start with seven! I have found that removing expenses is as powerful as making more money.
Julie
Related posts: More Money Saving Tips for People with Bipolar | Bipolar Disorder and Money | Bipolar Disorder and Money: The US economy……. |
Hi Julie, I read your emails every time I get them and I want to thank you for the time and support you put into them. I have Bipolar Disorder II and I was wondering if you know of any online support groups that I could join. I keep looking for something in my community that I could attend and have had no luck so far.
Thank you Julie,
Linda
1-10-2010
Hi Linda,
I suggest http://www.healthyplace.com. I write the mood disorder articles for the site and know they have a huge reading base. I am sure they have online group information.
Thanks for your kind comments! Julie
PS: there is a link to http://www.healthyplace.com on the menu bar to the right. Julie
Hi, Julie,
I love your first idea about saving money – cancel cable TV! I did that about 15 years ago to save money. My children were young at the time and played inventively with blocks, boxes we’d bring home from the store, toys we found at yard sales, old dresses, etc. We played family games, read stories together, and baked together. The children became voracious readers and always have something they’re reading.
I always wondered how they felt about not having TV. My oldest daughter told me that it was better than having TV. She said that not having TV allowed their imaginations to flourish and she remembers only good times playing dress up and dolls, coloring and playing games. None of us have missed it!
Sandra
Hey Julie!
Thanks so much for your blog and the newsletter. I’m still panicky and depressed about the changes in my job and financial situation. But I’ve lined up a little part-time job with a friend 1-2 days a week to help make up the difference. And as for the insurance it appears that I’m eligible for the stimulus help with COBRA plans so it will cost $200 a month rather than $550. I’m also having to make some hard decisions with my medications. I’m on Abilify which even paying copays is exorbitantly expensive since my coverage changed at the new year in ways I didn’t anticipate. I’m going to be asking to go off that and see how I do. My sleep is awful and my mood is down and easily overwhelmed which is much different than the hypomania I’m accustomed to. I’m not sure if I’m experiencing some of the dysphoric mania since my sleep is so bad and I’m so irritable and agitated. I just can’t settle. I am tempted to look for another full-time job but I am only “supposed” to be working 25 hours a week, 13 of those at home. I’m really struggling with the situation. Thanks so much for your input and suspport. I hope that others can read this and understand they are not alone.
- Melissa -
Hi Julie! I need to implement some of these tips for myself. I don’t have a TV and so no cable subscription for me, but I do go crazy on book buying and my credit card groans. I need to control my spending urge.