How to Spend Less, Earn More and Grow the Gap | Afford Anything Podcast (Ep. #91) | Audio-Only

In today’s episode, we’re focusing on how you can grow the gap between what you earn and what you spend.
Many people in the personal finance space argue about whether it’s more important to earn more vs. save more.
This argument is like chocolate vs. vanilla. Cats vs. dogs. Pepsi vs. coke.
You get the idea. Everybody takes a side.
I want to circumvent that issue and focus on what matters, which is growing the gap between your earning and your spending.
We're going to focus on both sides of the equation. I'll share the best costs for you to focus on cutting, and different ways you can start earning more.
For the full show notes, go to: affordanything.com/episode91
Subscribe via iTunes: affordanything.com/itunes
#affordanything #askpaula #personalfinance

[@rdtradecraft]

I live in a 19.5 foot RC that I use as everyday transportation. I own it free and clear, and maintain it myself. This saves me an average of $1700/month in rent here in Southern California. I use the fridge and the stove in the RV to cook and keep my food budget low. The small space forces me to include only the things that really matter and add big value. My 12-month average monthly spending is $796/month. As I make only 20K/year at the moment(still building my side hustles). That's up from 16K last year. I use Linux to save on software costs. I automatically transfer 15% of my paycheck to savings and auto transfer that to my Vanguard, and Lending Club accounts. I started using the dollar a day method for saving, putting $30/month automatically to savings. I increase that each month by ten cents per day. Month 1 $30, Month 2, $33 dollars, Month 3, $36, etc.

[@carojames6776]

Good for you, you have found a lifestyle that suits you and enables you to hold on to some of your hard earned money and make it work for your future. Good luck!!!!

[@cityparkproperties7001]

Skipping the soda saved me thousands of $ over the years when feeding 2 adults and 4 kids. Even better, it kept us healthier. So maybe not skip on organic but do skip the stuff that’s expensive and bad for you!

[@aarongold7220]

Ya honestly that bit was a bit weird. Food is definitely a category you can potentially save 100s per month saving on. Maybe not very noticeable for someone who makes 6 figures aiming for financial freedom and a 6 figure retirement. But to somebody who only makes 40k, 30k, or even 25k a year, that's a huge chunk of their income they're now saving. Cutting restaurants and doing meal prep where you're suddenly paying 1$-2$ per meal instead of $8-$19 makes a big difference.

[@malinallitekpatl1]

Love the idea of the anti-budget. I've been doing that for a few years now, and never put a name to it. The few times I've talked to people about budgeting, they believe I'm not being as strict as I should. But the reality is I'm good about spending almost all of my money on the necessities, and pay close attention to and limit spending on luxuries. Also, lately I've been thinking back to a movie quote in the movie "Ray", about Ray Charles, where the record executive says something like, "You think dollars, you get dollars. You think cents, you get cents." Reminds me to not waste my time on the little things like overstocking on food to get to the next level of grocery store rewards, etc.

[@craigfierle6483]

Paula, It is now 2021. Have you been following me around for the past year since i have been trying to retire? Every productive, time, mind saving methods you spoke about, i have done none of in the past year. Your point about harvesting talent I have learned over the course of a lifetime is case in point. What makes it difficult now to tap into and sell the knowledge and talent is the political environment the pandemic has created.

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

It's definitely ok to have room mates at any age, but from experience I can say that one comes to an age where you are sick to death of room mates and that lifestyle. Despite the fabulous relationships gained by it. We change as we age. Mind you, I've lived with 46 room mates over the years!

[@sheilapurser5389]

Polite Q b.

[@danielgoldstain9500]

Excellent information. I really like your voice and tempo. Keep up the great work 👍👍☮️💟☯️

[@TheApplesmasher]

another great show, thanks!

[@Nate1975]

basically quit budgeting, just dont spend, makes sense

[@levihelms1149]

Excellent content! "Visualize systematic peas" 🤣

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

I need more money badly, but my job makes it really hard to take on "side hustles".

[@MrBrittoncoleman]

I love your advice babe

[@WellnessGreece]

Love you x

[@victormendoza3295]

Not looking for "Turn everything into a business", but what is the actual point/reason of turning a side project into a business vs other options? I wouldn't want every side project to be a business. That would be a nightmare (systematized or not and I am a programmer).

[@CalleRasmussen1]

saving on the small things have made a huge deal for me !! so I do not say it won't help a lot !! you use a lot money on stupid thing ! so for me it has worked thinking about the small the thing

[@welovelibraries4556]

I disagree with the “don’t buy a new car even at 0%”. I did buy it that way & took the money & put it in TQQQ & 50% was covered within 6 months. It’s a 72 month zero percent on a hybrid that will have no repairs on it. The quality of life it adds is worth it. Plus using assets to generate to cover the cost of 0% money works. It’s a Ford Fusion Hybrid. Great resale so depreciation isn’t that bad. Great repair record plus got a free extended warranty & gas usage is incredibly low. Now having said that, EVERYONE should ask themselves Do I NEED a car. For many that answer is No. Then ask if it;s worth it regardless of what you buy. With Uber, electric scooters, zip cars etc - it maybe that you don’t really need a car. I live in Los Angeles & do need one for income generation.

[@YPEFFLE]

A good mechanic is what saves you money when it comes to the car

[@welovelibraries4556]

YPEFFLE Actually not having to have repairs or if you do they are under warranty saves you MORE money when it comes to a car

[@YPEFFLE]

I have a 2004 Honda crv, paid 5k for it cash 6 years ago and haven't had any major issues with it since. It has 150k miles on it. Insurance on an older car is much cheaper, maintenance is much cheaper. It comes down to the make of car also. Owning a car is much more then just an initial sticker price. I have never had a car payment in my life and will keep it that way even at 0%. No I'm not poor, we are 100% debt free including paid off mortgage. Fully funded retirement , college funds for 2 kids. We are 34 & 38

[@tiffanykyer]

Did Chipotle sponsor??😆

[@Nate1975]

dah 😂

[@KimKey09]

"millions of people do this every day" uhhh that doesn't mean anyone wants to? families deserve their own space ffs

[@DanceDaily]

"investments sustain themselves" is a dangerous concept... because it puts creative power in the hands of far away big companies... not always ethical. I have invested money in the stock market and now that I've awakened more I see this is not ethical, not helping my ENERGY. What if we actually kept looking to create REAL value in our communities and worlds, and in THIS way we grow our wealth. Let's stop handing over our energy power and green light to stocks, that's what's ruining our world.