Chances are you have heard it said that ‘patience is a virtue’, the old adage that suggests you wait, bide your time and things will work out for the best. It’s an adage which may be lost on today’s technological generation where instant gratification is craved by most. That having been said there is still a place for patience in today’s society – notwithstanding all the past-paced life styles – because patience often create its own rewards.
It does however, take some character to exhibit such levels of moral excellence, but did you know that by doing so, you could save money at the same time? Read on to find out how you can economize by embracing the virtue of patience. Have the patience to walk instead of drive. It saves you money on gas, auto insurance, maintenance costs, parking and the many stresses of driving. Walking improves your health and well being while simultaneously saving a lot of money.
Patience suggests you to compare before you buy – From personal clothing to health club memberships; from plumbing services to insurance plans; from car accessories to a new home. Compare the offers of 3 to 5 suppliers or service providers before finally settling with one. Let them know that you are taking the time to search the market and they may just be able to offer you the most savings. Truly, the patient consumer is a winner!
Use coupons as much as possible – Be patient in cutting them out and going through them before making any purchase. Pack them together with your grocery bag or in the car so you can use the discount voucher at every opportunity. A patient shopper often ends up being the smartest shopper who reap the rewards in savings of $20 to $50 just by using coupons.
Track your expenses – Have the patience to keep your receipts and record all your expenses, no matter how small or frequently they occur. By doing so, you are made aware of where every single penny goes. Furthermore, you will know when you have spent too much on clothing, when in fact you still need to settle your credit card balance, or pay the mortgage. You will have better control of your financial health, by patiently tracking your finances.
Hold-off and sleep on it – If you are about to purchase a $100 item, hold off the purchase until you’ve given it ample thought. Sleep on it for about one to two nights (or days). If after such time, you decide that you absolutely need and can afford the purchase, then go ahead. Nevertheless, you’ll be surprised at how much you can save by just sleeping on, and thinking things over.
Devote money in long-term investments – Understand that when you are considering a long-term investment, you do not need the money immediately, and it is not considered as part of your daily bidget. However, such money when set-aside will reap great rewards in the future. Exude moral excellence by patiently saving for years to come, starting today.