Planning a round the world trip of just trying to get out of debt so you can relocate? Of course you are why else would you be reading this? Well my friend I am too, and in the giving spirit of sharing all my useless (or possibly useful) information that I’m flinging at you maybe we all can put a little more change in our pockets. I’m not boasting how you can instantly make $40K a year on your blog, no not here. This is more of how to be wise with what you have. I’m just trying to fess up to the fact that my loans outweigh what I make in 2 years at my current job yet I want to relocate out of the US in 2012. Also, I don’t make big bucks, I’ve had public teachers take pity on my paycheck, and if it wasn’t for loving what I do and the bonus free graduate degree I’d be job hunting. To be honest I really don’t do any of these right now, but I’m setting all of it out so I can complete some of my new year resolutions, and I’ll let you know how I end up in my goals.

1. Keep Track of Your Expenses – nothing was more of a shock to me than to find out how much money I wasted once I actually kept track of my monthly expenses. Let’s just say my alcohol and eating out expenses were each individually far greater than my grocery bill. I think realizing you have to write out that I spent $50 at the liquor store and still bought drinks at the bar was more of a deterrent than just the fact that I was spending the money. Click here to download a free excel spreadsheet set up to help you keep track of your expenses.
2. Buy Fresh – after reading through My Year Without Spending talking about Community Supported Agriculture or CSA I started to realize that I can be thrifty, environmentally friendly and eat healthier all in one swoop. Since I live in the Midwest currently and most of the local CSA participating farms only have eggs during the winter I plan to go full force come spring. I also spent last summer and fall enriching some dirt behind my house so I can plant a small garden keeping the money in my pocket feels even better yet.
3. MMB or Movies, Music and Books – All of these can be simply cut out of your budget if you just go to the library and use other free services like Pandora.com or Hulu.com (Sorry only works if you are in the USA). I did however give in and purchased cable for the winter months, furry or not when it’s below 10° F I’m not going anywhere. The difference is I only got the basic, no digital anything $14.99 a month cable plan, which will likely be removed come spring.
4. Live the Compact Lifestyle – Ok back to being influenced by My Year Without Spending I only wish I could remember who led me to this site. I don’t know how well I can fully live the compact lifestyle, which basically means not buying anything new other than essentials. My problem is I don’t think they list beer as an essential, which besides the obvious reasons has become a part of my blog with my New Brew Tuesday blog feature. The idea itself is great and I am taking it into consideration on spending my money on new things especially when following up on number 1 keeps reminding me of my loan debt.
5. Sometimes Hot Sometimes Cold But Always Gassy – My current residence doesn’t have AC so that isn’t even an option, but during winter I try to keep my house at around 55° F when I’m there and 48° F while at work. I rock socks, sweaters and my Peruvian chullo to keep me toasty. I bought new house slippers because my current ones weren’t keeping my toes warm, you think with socks and fur I would be ok. I also have the benefit of living near my work so once the weather breaks I’ll try to ride one of my bikes to work, motorcycle or bicycle. Hey, motorcycles use less gas than cars, plus if you ever seen a monkey on a motorcycle you would understand what it means to be badass.

I’m not sure which of these will work or if I’ll even follow through with, but I have my goal set so it’s up to me to take the steps to get there. If it helps any, winter is a hell of a motivator. What are you doing to save up for your own trips or to help become location independent. Where have you succeeded or failed?

I’m also willing to update or make changes to the shared spreadsheet, as I said I’m no financial expert or spreadsheet genius but if you are by all means fling your knowledge my way so I can fling it towards all my readers.

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• The Great American Rite of Passage
• New Brew Tuesday – Altenmünster Maibock
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Tags: alcohol, bar, college loans, Community Supported Agriculture, Compact lite, CSA, debt, loan, money, personel finance, save. finance, saving