Do Things Differently

Take a hard look at the way you live your life and find things that are inefficient, wasteful, and don't make sense, and change them, even if you're going against the flow of what "normal" is. Normal is usually pretty dumb anyways.

For instance... I want to get in better shape. Normal would be trying to stop at the gym before or after work and spend an hour working out. My house is about 2.25 miles from my office.

Normal Solution- Drive to gym at 630am- arrive at 635am, work out for 45 minutes, freshen up, then drive to office in time for 8am start, then drive home and be home at 510. Total time away from home 10.75 hours. Total money spent on gas, $3 per day. Total cost of Gym Membership $35 per month.

New Solution- Walk to and from work. Leave house at 725am and arrive at office at 8am, walk home arriving at 535pm. Total time away from home 10.15 hours. Total money spent on gas $0 per day. Total Gym Membership cost $0/Month.

Just in this one example I'm saving probably $100+ a month, and 10 HOURS OF MY TIME, while still getting my goals accomplished. Side benefits- I've also realized I eat healthier when I pack my lunch, and spend less $$$ on lunch, AND I work out much more often because I often sleep through my alarm and miss my morning workouts anyways.

I can't walk every day as sometimes I need to run errands on lunch or drive to client meetings, but I can do this probably 80% of the time. Are people making fun of me for walking? YES!!!! Do I care? NO!!!!

What are your goals for 2011? Want to achieve them faster? Free up some time and money!

Ask yourself some of the following questions:

Can I go without Cable and switch to Netflix or Redbox only?
Can I go to the Library for books and videos for free?
Can I raise my insurance deductibles and cover the cost of small stuff out of pocket if needed? Have I shopped around on my insurance lately?
Can I walk or ride a bike to save money and get in better shape?
Can I buy ingredients and cook from scratch to eat healthier and cheaper?
Can I start a small garden?
Can I go without home internet and access email or facebook during free time before or after work or elsewhere?
Can I switch to a "dumb phone" and drop my data plan?
Can I drive a dumb car that's paid for and save money on insurance, car payments, etc...?
Can I work another job part time or seasonally, or start a side business?
Can I make any money with my hobby?
Can I sell some things I don't need or use any more? Or give them away?
Can I do more free stuff for recreation, like go to parks, or play outside with the family?

You'll be surprised how many things you will find can be streamlined or eliminated from your life, and that you'll actually feel like you're better off than before! Cable just constantly made me mad... piles of "stuff" just makes you stressed... pre-made food made me less healthy and more tired... not walking gave me less energy and endurance... gardening is enjoyable and fulfilling... same for my small business projects...

Your losses may just be your gains. Give up laziness and "normalness" and find contentment, health, freedom, and quality of life. The small daily decisions you make really do add up. The concepts explored here are some of the reasons I can do things, buy things, and go places other peers can't. I'm willing to live differently. Or to quote Dave Ramsey, "Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else."