People often complain about being poor or broke, and about their health issues and things that are bringing them down, and many don't realize they have the ability to easily change their life in a matter of days.
Vices that are killing people, like smoking and drinking, if abused or used regularly, can cost about $20 a day (cigarettes and alcohol) and end up costing the average American about $7,000 a year on the low side. Think about what you could do with $7,000. If you literally quit drinking and smoking, you will live longer, be healthier and happier, and could purchase a nice used car within a year or something you need that will help your life.
The same goes for what we eat. If you stop going to high end coffee shops every single day and spend $7 for a fancy coffee drink and a bagel, you could save $2,555 a year.
All the ways we spend money on little, unhealthy things add up to major health and financial issues.
I have been selling things on eBay after watching the excellent, and inspiring documentary, The Minimalists. DVDs, books, and souvenirs that I don't actually use regularly are leaving our home and creating more space and harmony in their absence.
I have been guilty of spending money foolishly, not budgeting my time, and of consuming things that are unhealthy and damaging to my body, but by being focused and minimizing my waste in all areas of my life, I have started to make substantial changes to my health and finances that are making me a happier person.
We will make excuses in life for not doing something because it is "hard" or "inconvenient" but getting cancer or facing financial ruin is harder and more inconvenient than anything I can think of that I have named.
My time is my most precious commodity. I want to make sure I balance it with family, work, art and things that bring me peace. I am finding I am enjoying my life more by making healthier choices (for me that means no meat, no alcohol, less sugar and fat, and more sleep.) I have also become a coconut water fanatic and switched from coffee to tea to reduce inflammation.
I have a family I adore, a full time job I love, a t-shirt company, and write and make art in the remaining time I have.
By reducing the time I am on social media like Facebook (the land of bitching and whining) the more time I have to devote to my family, job, business and art.
I also say "NO" more because too often we agree to things that we know won't help us or the person asking, but we feel obligated.
2017 has already been so productive and positive because I refuse to live any other way ever again.
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