5 Ways to Create Abundance in an Economic Downturn

Image via WikipediaNow, I know its a little early to be thinking of Christmas already, but this evening I was somewhat troubled to hear a national news broadcast trumpeting Christmas Misery ahead for New Zealanders on the back of the decreasing value of the New Zealand Dollar. Apparently we are all doomed to a miserable Christmas because the prices of imported goods are due to rise as our purchasing power diminishes.

Sure, times are tough, the economy is unstable, people are losing their jobs & their homes. Its frightening. However, this kind of foolish media scaremongering really irritates me. It helps the recession take a hold in people's minds by creating a mindset of scarcity and fear. It encourages people to focus on what they don't have, or can't afford rather than encouraging us to be creative with what we do have. It focuses our attention on stuff rather than on people.

Not being able to afford to purchase expensive presents at Christmas time is surely not the most newsworthy aspect of the current economic crisis. In fact, the kind of rampant, foolish consumerism that it represents is part of the cause of our current woes.

Here's a few tips to help you create a mindset of abundance amidst the economic chaos:

1. Decide what is Important
   Take time to think about the things that you value most. Make a list of the 4 or 5 most important things and focus on keeping them in order. Simplifying your life in this way, paring it back to the essentials, helps you to appreciate what you do have and stop striving for stuff that ultimately has no value to you.
   
   
2. Build Community
   Get to know your neighbours, the other parents at your kids school, your work colleagues. Build a network of people that you can share with when the going gets tough. Knowing that you are part of a community that has got your back can definitely help ease the fears brought on by the current economic instability.
   
   Check out 5 Ways to Rebuild your Neighbourhood for community building ideas.
   
   
3. Be Generous
   At times like this its often our natural reaction to hoard - time, money, possessions. But in tough economic times, generosity is more important than ever. Have you ever noticed how the most generous of people never seem to be without the things that really matter?
   
   Read more about how generosity creates abundance at Digital Philanthropy
   
   
4. Appreciate Sufficiency
   It sounds trite, but with our busy lifestyles we often forget to be thankful - taking a moment out of each day to be grateful can help you to realise how much you really have and what is important. Appreciating sufficiency - deciding how much is enough - can help the spectre of recession lose its power to make you fearful.
   
   Read 5 Ways to Help You Say 'Enough' for more inspiration.
   
   
5. Be Proactive
   Don't sit back waiting for this latest economic crisis to make your life difficult. Take positive action now to recession proof your life as much as you are able. Start a vege garden, tackle any consumer debt, work on developing good financial habits, support your local economy, get into the habit of driving your car less . . . be positive and creative as you take stock and prepare for the future.
   

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Make a Difference - Take Your Own Lunch to Work

When it comes to changing the world for the better, its easy to get overwhelmed by the big picture and forget how the little actions that everyone CAN do really add up over time to make a huge difference.

Take a look at the following list to see how something as simple as taking your own lunch to work can end up having a significant positive impact!

Its healthier
If you make your own lunch then you can make sure you are choosing healthy foods. For delicious, nutritious lunch ideas, take a look at 'How to Make a Healthy Packed Lunch'.

It produces less waste
When you take your own lunch you can use reusable containers - so you're not generating rubbish to the landfill, or encouraging takeaway restaurants to waste perfectly good food and you are reducing the amounts of energy, water and packaging that go into making pre-packaged and takeaway lunches.

It saves money
Taking your own packed lunch to work could save you around $10 per day. Thats about $50 a week, or approximately $2500 per year. That's a lot of money! (You could purchase more than 100 WE ADD UP Plant Trees T-Shirts for that - and plant over 1000 trees in the rainforest and raise almost $250 for SALVEASERRA!!)

It saves time
Just think how much more time you will have to enjoy your lunch break if you don't have to race around town buying your lunch! Being able to have a relaxing lunch break without needing to queue for food will definitely help you face the second half of the day with more enthusiasm and focus!

5 Ways to Reduce your Rubbish

Image via Wikipedia Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Its all very well as a trash minimisation mantra, but it doesn't seem to be making much of a dent in the amount of garbage we send to the landfills each year.

I think its time to add another few "re's" to the list . . .

RETHINK - rethink your consumption habits so you don't generate so much rubbish
REPAIR - get broken things fixed rather than throwing them out and buying new
REFUSE - refuse to use or buy things that generate rubbish or can't be recycled

Here's a list to help you get started reducing your contribution to the landfill:

1. Buy in Bulk
Cut down on the packaging materials by buying in bulk. Try shopping at stores where you can take your own bottles and containers to refill. Often you'll get a better deal for buying in bulk too.

2. Say NO to plastic shopping bags
Take your own reusable bags with you when you go shopping and politely refuse shopping bags!

3. Compost
Don't send organic waste to the landfill. Instead set up a compost bin for your garden. Don't have room for a compost bin? Set up a worm farm instead. Don't have a garden? Give your compost away to someone who does in exchange for a share of their veges, sell your fantastic liquid fertiliser from the worm farm, offer your super worm dirt to any takers on Freecycle . . .

4. Get Creative
Cut old sheets into strips and crochet them into floor rugs. Make sock puppets for the kids. Make fire bricks using your old newspapers. Make new clothes out of old clothes. Revitalise your old fabourite jeans with funky patches. Make beautiful mosaics using old crockery.

5. Don't choose Disposable
Look for alternatives to disposable items like nappies, sanitary napkins and razors. Buy well made products that will last rather than cheap throw away goods. It may cost more up front, but in the long run it will save you money and its better for the environment.

How to Pay Off your Credit Cards

In this age of instant gratification, credit cards often seem like a 'must have' item. As long as you can pay them off in full each month, then there isn't anything wrong with them, but for those of us without that self-disciplined approach to personal finances they really are a disaster waiting to happen!

If you have credit card debt that is costing you money on a monthly basis, then here's how to sort it out once and for all. Be warned - you WILL have to start being financially savvy and, depending on your past financial indiscretions, this could be a long term commitment!!

The first thing to do is to STOP SPENDING! Remove your credit cards from your wallet, cut them up or, if you can't stomach that, freeze them in a block of ice at the back of your deep freeze . . . anything to keep them out of reach!! If you 'need' one for internet purchases, hook yourself up with a Mastercard (or similar) debit card and use your own money!!

Work out exactly how much it is that you owe. If you have a mortgage you may be able to transfer this amount to your mortgage and pay it off at a lower interest rate. If you do this make sure you pay the same amount each month to your mortgage that you would otherwise be paying to your credit cards to get the balance out of the way as soon as possible! If this isn't an option for you, shop around and find who is offering the lowest fees on their credit cards. You may be able to organise to transfer your balance. If you do transfer your balance to another card or add it to your mortgage be sure to get rid of your original cards so you don't end up with more debt!!

If transferring your outstanding credit card balance is not an option, then work out which card charges the highest interest rate and start paying that off first. If you haven't set yourself a budget yet, now is the time to do it. Work out how much you have to pay to meet the minimum payment requirements for all your cards. If you have any extra cash available once you have covered all your other expenses then use it to pay some extra on the card with the highest interest rate. When that is paid off, apply this amount to the next card in line and so on until all your cards are paid.

Remember to ALWAYS pay your cards on time - credit card companies charge hefty late fees if you don't!

Once you are debt free and have all that spare money at your fingertips start a savings plan. Make sure that you include an amount for short term savings so that you have the cash for those impulse splurges!!

If you have any tips for paying off credit card debt or would like to share your getting out of debt story please leave a comment. We'd love to hear form you!!

5 Ways to Make A Difference to Your Finances

These days, with prices and interest rates rising in the blink of an eye it can be a real adventure trying to make ends meet and last from one pay cheque to the next. But don't despair, this week's list is here to help inspire you to make your money go the distance. From short term quick fixes to get over a cashflow hurdle to more long term lifestyle changes to make your life easier in the future.

1. Get rid of things you don't need
If you have an unexpected bill to clear away, or some sudden unplanned expenditure is looming in your horizon you could try going through your cupboards to find goods you no longer require that you could sell. That breadmaker you used once, the exercise equipment that never made it out of the box, baby clothes . . . Just imagine how much extra space you will have once you have cleared some of this clutter.

2. Use your car only when you really need to
Try carpooling to work or to the grocery store with your neighbours. Walk your kids to school or ride a push bike. Walk to the corner store. Use public transport. Not only are you saving on petrol and wear and tear on your car, but you will be getting more exercise as well - so you won't be needing that gym membership anymore!

3. Be sparing with your electricity
Turn your lights off when you leave the room. Use eco lightbulbs (but be sure to dispose of them properly). Hang clothes outside to dry whenever you can. Turn the thermostat down a notch. Insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes. Open your curtains to let the sun warm your house during the day and close them at night to keep the warmth in.

4. Pay off your credit cards and other debts as fast as you can afford
The quicker they are paid off the less interest you pay. Enough said!!

5. Make your own fun
I know that sounds like something your Grandma would say . . . but it really is true that you can have a blast without spending a fortune. Rent DVDs instead of going to the movies. Have a Pictionary Party (or Cranium - my personal favourite, Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly . . .). Organise a dinner party at home instead of going out to a restaurant. Take your family to the beach or the park for a picnic.

Website Round Up - Save Money on Groceries

If you need more ideas or inspiration to keep your food bill to a minimum, then take a look at these websites. Most of the sites on todays list offer more than just grocery savings tips. Be sure to take a look around and learn howto make the most of your hard earned cash!

Simple Savings
Mealopedia
Ten Tips for Saving at the Grocery Store
Save on Groceries with ‘Strike-Point Shopping
Spend Less on Groceries

Weekly Blog Carnival

This weeks blog carnival is all about cooking in bulk for the freezer.

We want your favourite recipes and tips. Share them on your blog and link back to use here at How to Make a Difference. We will post links to your blogs so our readers can share your delicious recipes and great ideas.

Please use this button to submit your post.

5 Ways to Make a Difference to your Grocery Bill

Lets face it, we've all got to eat, but you don't have to spend a fortune on groceries to eat well. Here are a few tips to help you keep your grocery bill from getting out of hand.

1. Grow your own vegetables.
You don't have to have a lot of space to grow vegetables. You can grow most things in pots if you don't have a garden!

2. Make a list and only buy according to your list
Put a list up on your fridge and get into the habit of writing things down as you get low or run out.

3. Plan your weekly meals in advance
This way you know you have everything you need to cook delicious healthy meals every night. It makes it easier to prepare your shopping list and you don't have to think about what to cook at the last minute!

4. Don't shop when you are hungry - you'll buy more.

5. Don't buy pre-prepared items
Make your meals from scratch. Double a recipe when cooking and freeze the extra, or set aside a day to make several meals and freeze them. This way you save money and time!

How to make a healthy packed lunch

Image via Wikipedia If the idea of taking your own lunch to work sounds dull, boring and a bit like hard work then think again. It doesn't have to be soggy tomato sandwiches and a banana every day (unless that's what you like!!). Here are some ideas to help you get creative with your lunches.

To make sure your packed lunch is a healthy one, make sure you include something from all the groups below - and make sure to mix it up a little so you don't get bored.

Breads and Cereals
Bread - ciabatta, panini, pita pockets, wraps, buns
Crackers
Muffins or Scones
Pasta or Rice Salad
Sushi

Fruit & Vege
Fruit - fresh, raw, stewed, dried
Salad
Vege sticks - carrots, celery, cucumber
Olives

Dairy or Dairy Alternative
Cheese
Yoghurt
Milk or Soy Drinks

Meat or Meat Alternative
Meat - ham, chicken, fish, last nights left over roast meat
Egg
Beans
Tofu
Nuts

Making your own lunch might sound like just one more thing to do in an already busy morning, but there are ways to save time. If you have lunches to prepare for the whole family you can try the assembly line approach - line up all the slices of bread, butter them all, then add fillings. If you have older children they can help you here and save even more time. And kids are more likely to eat something that they helped prepare - or at least have no excuse if they don't like it!!
You could also try making your lunches the night before. You could cook extra dinner and have the left overs for lunch. Or prepare meals such as soup or casseroles in advance and freeze them. Thaw them overnight and you can heat them up at work - or if you don't have facilities to do this, invest in a thermos and simply heat them up in the morning.

You can keep your lunch fresh by taking a frozen drink packed in your lunch box - but be sure to wrap it so it doesn't make your lunch soggy as it thaws. Another way is to use frozen bread - its easier to spread and will be thawed by lunch time.

To spice up the whole packed lunch experience you could organise a 'Packed Lunch Club' with other like-minded work colleagues where you all bring something to share each day. Or try and find a pleasant spot to eat and have a picnic.

For more great packed lunch ideas go to Kiwi Families or FabulousFoods.Com

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