There comes a point at which most of us decide that we’d like to change our lives in one way or another, whether that’s as simple as updating our style, or as complicated as moving all the way across the country, or having a baby. And a lot of the time, when you decide you want to change your life, your finances might not agree with you. Here are a few tips that will ensure that you won’t end up going broke as you make new and exciting changes to the way that you live your life.
Updating Your Style
At some point, pretty much everyone has looked at their reflection in the mirror and thought, succinctly, ‘Ugh’. Whether it’s to do with outdated hairstyles or clothes that no longer fit you, if you aren’t happy with the way you look then it’s important to make sure you change that. Being satisfied with yourself is the best way to feel confident — and admittedly, although we all know that it isn’t what’s on the outside that matters, what’s on your outside can still make you feel a lot better about what’s on the inside! The best way to get great new style is to start piecing items together slightly differently. If you have a dress that’s too big for you, cinch it at the waist with a vintage belt so that the fit is better. If you have a pair of heels that you love that you’re too afraid to wear, pair them with your favourite skinny jeans to make them a little more casual. If you’re tired of your hairstyle, go to a salon and ask for a trainee hairdresser — they’re often a little cheaper. There are plenty of ways to update your style without spending a lot of money.
Getting Healthy
One of the main reasons that you may feel a little discouraged about getting fit and healthy is the sheer cost of doing so. Gyms can be intimidating — walking into one and seeing rows of gleaming, muscled people who look as though they’ve never been out of breath in their lives, definitely doesn’t feel like much fun. But they can also be intimidating because of their costs — it can feel elitist and as though you’re never going to manage to get as fit and healthy as you’d like to. Instead of the gym, why not try out a different activity instead? Walking as often as possible will help to build up your fitness and stamina, and don’t forget that ditching your car will be great for the environment! Going swimming a couple of times every week is a lot cheaper than a gym membership, and it’s also one of the absolute best things you can do for your body, as the water will support your joints and ensure that you don’t get injured.
Moving House
Moving house is one of the most exciting things that you can do — although it can also be one of the most expensive. If you’re buying a place of your own but you don’t have great credit so you’re concerned about how it’s going to work out, companies like 1st UK Online Brokers can help you work it out. It’s important to consider all of your expenses when you’re moving, from professional movers to cleaning companies to the possibility of not getting your entire deposit back from your landlord. Moving house is full of hidden expenses and it’s important that you’re aware of that.
Getting Married
One of the most expensive things that anyone can do is to get married. The important thing about your finances for your big day is that you need to completely prioritise what you want exactly. If you have endless money to spend on your wedding then that’s great — go for that ten thousand dollar dress, the huge marquee, and the six-tier wedding cake. But if you’re one of the more ordinary people who have a much more definite budget, you need to start considering what you really want out of your wedding day. If you want a great honeymoon, then you could invite fewer people to the big day so that you can splash out on a great hotel and a few weeks in a beautiful, exotic location. If your wedding spending is getting out of control then you need to take a step back and take a deep breath while counting to ten. Remember that the important thing about your big day is to focus on what exactly you and your partner want, and not on what everyone expects from you. It’s okay to not have a huge guest list or an expensive DJ, or to get married in a huge country house. Focus on the little things that will make your wedding day beautiful and special for you.
Having Kids
Having children is one of the most exciting things that anyone can do. Creating new life is an absolute joy and a privilege — but it can also be a huge financial drain. It’s probably better not to think about just how much it costs to raise a child, but you do need to bear in mind that there may be cutbacks that you’ll have to make in your everyday life — fewer restaurant trips, fewer shopping sprees. Talk to your friends and family to see if they have some hand-me-downs that they’d like to pass on. A lot of the time, babies grow out of their clothes so quickly that chances are, you’ll get some second-hand clothes that are as good as new! It’s important to make sure that you save for the future of your kids — going day by day is a great way to feel a lot less stressed, but it’s also important to prepare for the future. Putting a small amount of money away from each paycheck into a college fund for each of your children is a great way to make sure that they won’t have to worry too much about money as they get older.
