How to make money by not spending money

The best way to get a raise is to spend less!

Lifestyle. Thats a pretty broad word. I don't intend to cover my entire life in one blog post, but I wanted to talk about how I live.

I've mentioned in a post that I live in a duplex, and I rent out the other side which covers 70% of my house payment. I also have a roommate that pays the remainder or my house payment which leaves me with utilities, cable, internet access and my cell phone. As I've said before, my entire monthly budget is WELL under $500.00.

Some things I do to further trim my budget.

I buy work shirts, tshirts, and sometimes even very nice dress shirts at my local Goodwill and Salvation Army Thrift Stores. You'd be surprised in our throw away society what can be found in your local thrift store.

I've been cutting my own hair for over 15 years. I know it seems like such a small thing, and maybe some of you ladies will draw the line on this one.. but for me, its very simple, very easy, and I've never had one comment good or bad about my cuts.

I RARELY eat out. Before you begin your whine about how convenient this is, let me say that I eat very well, and I still have treats.. and I have no problem maintaining my weight of 175 at ALL times. I am 6 feet tall.

I have mentioned that I have no credit cards, and no car payments. I realize you may not be there now, but you can get there if you want to bad enough. I was forced there by circumstances like divorce, job loss, and some job disability. Those are very motivating factors, but you don't need that kind of motivation to reach the same goal.

One of my next moves which I'll write about in my next blog is finding a low priced home, fixer upper, must-sell or some similar situation involving a great price on a home. Why you say, when I'm living so cheaply? Well, I can get an additional FULL rent on the unit I'm living in, and if I buy properly this will help pay my mortgage on my new property, and increase my equity building efforts by paying off another asset.

I'll go over the numbers I'll be trying to attain in my next post. Come back, I'd love your comments on my ideas. Still waiting for my first!

Remember, I'm not a financial planner, and not telling you how to make fast money, or get rich quick on the internet. Just telling you how I live on what I have, which I believe is very minimal compared to todays standards.

Another Funday Monday!.. but might work a little tomorrow...