It isn't even as deep as ⚖️ Self-Development per se, but simply just making healthier decisions.
It may seem like a trivial thought, but having the intention to take care of yourself is a big step. Whether it is self-improvement, better habits in general, or something in between. Over the past few years (closer to four) I have had a very in flux kind of income. Usually having 2-4 jobs at a time (minor amount of hours of each, as a lot of places won't give you large amounts of hours). In that line of thinking you can rightly assume my income has been low. Passable sure, but not ideal. Certainly not enough to save up!
In these years as a trainer especially I have been wanting to improve my health and diet. However that costs more money right?
Well not necessarily, and if you play your cards right it can be even cheaper. From things like habit stacking, meal prepping, cutting out certain junk, or replacing junk with alternative versions.
Finding new ways to do things
When it comes to banks for example I use Chime (I hate the company, but love the convenience), it is a digital bank that doesn't charge for monthly fees. It is a different way of banking, and that saves me money (even has auto savings too).
While at times I wish I had a physical bank, the benefits of having a digital one outweigh it. Faster transactions, and the not having fees thing has saved me more money over the years than I can count.
I went for more bulk like items for grocery shopping. I changed to have a simpler diet, and focused on nutrient values over glorified snacks. Mind you I am not perfect on that front, as I still do have a sweet tooth. Although if you are careful you can save a lot of money on food. Think of ways to reuse old items in the fridge. Leftover deli meat? Chop it up and put it in eggs. Large bag of rice or pasta? Make your meals last longer.
Something I rather didn't enjoy the idea of before, as I don't like eating leftovers or recooked chicken. However I am trying literally even today as I'm writing this, is meal prepping. Making food in the crockpot, and then serving it out for dinner over the course of a few days. It should hopefully save me money in the long run.
I mean this is the entire philosophy of the Dawg food brand, where its just the pure basics you need. A lot of body builders have to follow this diet, where it just simplifies the food you eat. As you need to be calculative about it, and this brand makes that easier.
Its like $75-85 a bag, but when you count it out. It is like $5.50 or so per meal.
By decreasing your expenses across the board you can allow for more flexible income. Most importantly to be able to save up!
As I'm getting older
I was in my middle-late 20's when I first wrote this, and even just a couple years later I find myself feeling different. I'm more tired, and sleep is harder to improve. I've gotten a bit fatter, and that makes me hate myself physically.
However I am taking steps to change that, and it starts with decreasing my caloric intake aways.
I've been relearning about diet, nutrition, calories in/out, meal prepping, fasting, all of which I have learned before. However I am more open to those ideas now.
My energy levels haven't been where they need to be, and I think part of that is because I am in that same city literally as I was before. I've been wanting to move for half a decade. So this should be a big deal when I do actually move.
Thinking more utilitarian
Simplify your living space, you don't need to buy a new piece of furniture, diy a used one on marketplace and improve it. Reusing stuff like this can save money, and help the planet too. By being more minimalist it puts less strain onto you, as having material things makes you WORRY about those things.
Oh man, if only I knew how much I'd take this further. I've been toying with the idea of sizing down to just two suitcases and a travel backpack. Lmao
Not so much for a backpacking type thing, but moving far away more efficiently type of thing.
If tomorrow I no longer had what I have I would be able to move on. I'd need my data, but for the most part each piece can be replaced. Definitely don't want that to happen, but lacking attachment can make things easier for you.
Fun fact I almost lost a lot of my important data with a windows update. So be weary of updates, and triple backup your data!!
Find new ways of using old desks or furniture instead of buying new shelves or something along those lines. Clean out your closet, and sell your excess items. That helped me tremendously over quarantine.
Anyways, this was just a quick idea I wanted to share!
If you want to keep reading:
Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator
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This was one of my "social articles", an experiment to create medium sized blog posts, akin to newsletters. Across a variety of social blogging networking platforms. Such as Medium, Vocal Media, and Linkedin. Since it didn't quite land; I decided to take these posts and remake them into more full length creations.
Dustin Miller - PolyInnovator
