Guest post from Leah
As a longtime reader of MoneySavingMom.com, I have learned the importance of wisely budgeting to mitigate emergencies. In fact we know that using money wisely can turn an emergency to an inconvenience.
What I didn’t realize is that sticking to a budget also allows me to take advantage of unexpected opportunities.
Earlier this year, the opportunity arose to take a trip to Greece, with a longtime mentor. Now I’d never been out of North America before, let alone to Europe; but I’ve been trying to say “yes” to life’s opportunities. So I considered.
Unfortunately, it was $2,000 for a 10-day trip!
Gulp. Big decision. To make it worse, I had only about two days to decide.
This was not something to be considered lightly, but after some deliberation and counsel, the answer was clear – YES. I said yes to Greece!
It may seem like an impulsive decision to spend $2,000 with only two days to think about it, but honestly, this decision is the fruit of years worth of budgeted living.
I would have never been able to say “yes” to this trip if I hadn’t:
- Worked my way through college, staying debt-free
- Paid for a used car with cash instead of purchasing new
- Shopped almost exclusively at thrift stores for clothes
- Minimized eating out expenses
- Used the library for all book / entertainment needs
- Made the commitment to save reasonably and always live beneath my means
Now I did sell some items on Amazon.com, and I also dedicated some money from my tax return to offset the cost of the trip, but I know that if it hadn’t been for many years of faithful budgeting, this decision never would have been possible.
Seven cities and two countries later, and I caught the travel bug. I can’t wait to go back!
So when you cancel that subscription, or pass by that department store in favor of the thrift store, or choose to purchase your furniture from Craigslist, or check that book out of the library instead of purchasing it new, or when you say “no” once again to something that others consider necessary, just remember that it is for a purpose.
We choose to live intentionally so that we can not only handle life’s catastrophes, but also so that we can live a full life on our OWN terms, not just surviving, but thriving. Taking advantage of every opportunity!
What have you said “yes” to because of budgeted living?
Leah is the oldest of four girls, works in the restaurant development world with a degree in Business Management, and enjoys exploring intentional living. This includes meaningful relationships, CrossFit, long-distance running, good books, and maybe the occasional piece of dark chocolate.
Tracy says
Way to go, Leah!
I love this post. I no longer relate to many of the “We Paid Cash”-type posted because we are in a different place financially. Posts like this remind me why we need to keep scrimping and saving even after the debt is paid and the savings is fully funded.
Heather says
When I was single I also was able to save and take two trips to Europe on a meager teacher’s salary. A lot of people hear about that sort of travel and assume that it’s just for rich people, but it’s not! I always had other teachers for roommates, shopped at the non-cool grocery store, kept wearing my boring old clothes, packed my lunch (even though I HATE packing lunches), and much more. And when it came time for the trip, I did that on the cheap, too, by consulting budget travel guides from the library. Hostels, street food, grocery store food, and mostly doing free attractions. It was fabulous!
Now, with a husband and four kids, it’s not so easy to pull a trip off like that. But just today, my husband and I were talking about perhaps, maybe, considering setting the goal of going in a few years with the whole family! Who knows? If we set a goal and time frame, it will make me much more enthusiastic about saying “no” to some things now, in order to have such a reward. And I know that our friends would be shocked if we do it, because on the outward appearance we don’t have any extra money (very old cars, modest home, etc.)
donna horvath says
I love these posts. Ever since I started with moneysavingmom I have been inspired by others., I live by so many of the “rules” posted, but do read posts like Leahs assures me–IT CAN BE DONE!! Now I have to figure out how to get your post to my 19 yr old grand daughter!! thank you for proving it can be done.
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
I love this! When we say no to some things, it enables us to say yes to others. Great reminder! This idea also fits well with Laura Vanderkam’s thoughts in her book “All The Money in the World”–a good read.
CJ says
Good for you! I tell all of my young friends and family members, to get in as much traveling as you can when the opportunity comes up while you are young, and single and no children. I passed up some fabulous opportunities when I was younger (and could have afforded it) thinking there would be time later on… trips to Europe when I had friends living there and it would have made the trips less expensive and probably a lot of fun. Once you are married with children – those opportunities become more scarce. As long as you can afford to travel – do it!
mrl says
Totally agree! In fact, about 10 minutes before reading this post I was telling my 16 year old daughter that she should travel and have as many adventures as she can before marriage and kids. Not that those opportunities totally vanish after, but they are certainly harder to come by – at least they have been for me.
Karen says
A great story. Hope you get to do more traveling.
Lauren @ThePlaceForBusyMoms says
Way to go Leah!
Lindsey Swinborne says
Such a great post, reminding us that good choices pay off over the long term! Sometimes we forget why we are making the little decisions to be frugal and can get bogged down in feeling like it’s just no fun to be so careful when everyone around us is spending money on whatever they want. When I start complaining about our tight budget, my husband always reminds me that we made the choice to have me stay at home with our kids and that means we have a lower income to work with than most of the people around us who are 2-income families. We’ve had to say no to laptops, expensive sports (snowboarding), cell phones, lattes, salon haircuts, vacations, eating out, nice cars, “fun” money, traveling to see family, music lessons for our kids, etc. so that we can say yes to me being able to homeschool them.
Leah says
Lindsey, you staying home is a much more noble goal than me traveling to Greece!! 🙂 You are choosing what that which is better – time with your kids over having ‘stuff.’ Such a wise choice!!
Melissa says
My husband and I are faithful budgeters (completely debt-free except for my very large student loan, *sigh*–what was I thinking??) I would LOVE to read more of this type of thing! This is so inspiring. Congratulations, Leah!
Lisa says
What a great, inspiring post! Way to go, Leah!!!