The Dollar Stretcher blog will explore people and money.
I don't know about you, but I'm a creature of habit. I get up at the same time each day. Pretty much follow the same routine. And, it's not just my 'getting up' habits. I find that reducing things to a familiar pattern often makes life easier. Taking energy to decide whether I should brush my teeth or shave first is wasteful. Non-productive. Doing it the same way every day allows me to focus on things that are more important.
I've noticed something. Since habits are generally good, I tend to form them. Find ways to make things automatic. Or at least as simple as possible.
Normally that's good. But, it pays to take a look at your habits from time to time. For instance, what do you do about weekday lunches? Are you eating the same stuff every day? Is it healthy? Affordable? Would other choices be better?
Or what about your shopping habits. If you've been shopping at the same grocery store for years, try another store just to see how their prices compare. You might be surprised to find your regular store lacking in some areas.
Or have you looked at your retirement plan investment options recently? It's great to be saving money every month. But, perhaps you need to change where your new money is being invested.
The point is to look at your habits periodically. You might find that what you're doing just doesn't make sense anymore. Who knows...I might just find that it makes sense for me to shave before brushing my teeth!
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About Gary
For more than 25 years, Gary Foreman has worked to manage money effectively. Prior to starting The Dollar Stretcher, he was a financial planner and purchasing manager.
While helping clients manage their hard earned money as a financial planner, he applied commonsense, time-tested techniques during the turbulent 1980’s. The experience convinced him that you didn’t need to hit the lottery to accumulate significant wealth.
Following that, Gary had an opportunity to learn more about how to get the best value for a dollar spent in the corporate world. As the Purchasing Manager for a computer manufacturer, he was responsible for supervising over $10 million in annual purchases.
Gary began The Dollar Stretcher website <www.TheDollarStretcher.com> and newsletters in April 1996. Over 300,000 readers benefit from the time and money saving ideas presented in The Dollar Stretcher newsletters each week. His mission is to help people "Live Better for Less".
He also provides private label newsletters for companies wishing to provide money saving information for their clients and/or prospects.
Gary lives in Florida along with his wife of thirty years and their two children. Much of his time is spent working with the men's ministry of his church. One of their ongoing projects is the "Holy Smoke BBQ" which sells bbq on Friday nights with the profits going to support local foster kids and orphans.
When he has a free moment you’ll find him restoring a Checker station wagon nicknamed “Two Ton” or cruising in a '65 Impala SS Convertible with doo-wops playing in the background.
