Two New eBooks on Amazon Kindle

by Brian Carr on December 17, 2011

So, it looks like I’ve been bitten by the Amazon Kindle bug.  Although, it’s not buying books for the Kindle that I’m addicted to, it’s writing them!

As of last night, I’ve now published five personal finance books to the Kindle, with the two latest being 5 Money Lessons I Learned from My Blue Collar Middle Class Parents, and Save Money Without Even Noticing.  Needless to say, I think they’re pretty awesome.

For the faithful readers of Saving Without a Budget, you may recognize the blue collar title, since it was one of my more well-received posts, even getting picked up by Time.  Rest assured though, the ebook is not just a cut and paste from Saving Without a Budget; I’ve added lots of new content and insights.

As for “the other” ebook, it gives a bunch of easy ways you can start saving a bunch of money without affecting your lifestyle, or, as the title might suggest, without even really noticing.  This includes ways to save money on utilities, groceries, entertainment, etc.  You name it, you can save it.  (I’m a poet and don’t even know it.)

I’d love it if you’d check out the books and let me know what you think!

DiggRedditStumbleUponShare

{ 0 comments }

Four Steps to Becoming Financially Successful

by Brian Carr on December 2, 2011

As you’ve gathered by reading many of the posts here on Saving Without a Budget, I really don’t think it’s all that complicated for anyone to become “financially successful.”  It just takes a little bit of basic knowledge regarding personal finance and a whole lot of will power.

Note: financially successful doesn’t necessarily mean rich or wealthy.  When I say “financially successful” I mean stuff like you don’t have consumer credit debt, you’ve built up your savings, you invest a little toward retirement and, generally, you are more than able to get buy on what you have.

financial success, becoming financially successful, money savingtipsIn going back to the basic knowledge it takes to become financially successful, I think there are really only four things people need to focus on:

1) Maximize your earnings.  Obviously, it’s much easier to save more money if you’re making more money.  Long story short, get education where you can, and consider turning your current hobbies into a part-time small business.

2) Always spend less than you earn.  Here comes a non-shocking fact: it’s impossible to save money if you are consistently spending more than what you earn.  So, if you want to save, cut your expenses!

3) Live below your means. One would think this is the same thing as spending less than you earn.  It’s not.  Living below your means is fully embracing living a frugal lifestyle.  It’s an ongoing thing.  Spending less than you earn is simply the act of being frugal, and for many people, can be a one time thing or something that is practiced on a limited basis.

4) Don’t buy stuff for the sake of buying stuff.  Even people who practice the first three steps of financial success find themselves getting into trouble here, namely buying things to keep up with the Joneses.  Here’s my rule of thumb: if I don’t need it, I don’t buy it.  Sure, it sucks getting accustomed to not buying things you want, but after a while, living the minimalist lifestyle and not caring about the Joneses feels awesome.  You’re not owned by your things, your home is clutter free, and you’ve got tons of money either saved or ready to be spent on something that’s worth it like an awesome family vacation.

If you want to find out more about becoming financially successful, please check out my latest book for the Amazon Kindle, aptly titled “Four Steps to Becoming Financially Successful,” where I go into more detail regarding these four steps and  how you can implement them into your daily habits.

DiggRedditStumbleUponShare

{ 4 comments }

The Frugal Christmas Gift Guide

by Brian Carr on November 22, 2011

Without a doubt, the holidays can be one of the most stressful times of the year. It seems you’ve got one family gathering after another, you’re busy trying to get your decorations up, and you’re stressed about getting gifts for everyone without blowing your budget.

While I can’t help with the first two problems – and let’s be honest, having family gatherings is a good problem to have – I can help with helping you get gifts without blowing your budget.

I’ve written The Frugal Christmas Gift Guide: Holiday Shopping Without Busting Your Budget for the Amazon Kindle as a general guide to help you get through the most wonderful and expensive time of the year without having a horrible credit card bill waiting for you in the new year.

In The frugal Christmas Gift Guide, I talk about how to take advantage of awesome holiday sales – not just Black Friday – as well as other ways you can give gifts without spending a ton of money (hint: the gift of time goes a long, long way).

I’d love it if you checked out the book and then let me know what you think.

Happy Thanksgiving and happy kickoff to the holiday shopping season!

DiggRedditStumbleUponShare

{ 0 comments }

Aspire to be a Minimalist

by Brian Carr on November 17, 2011

A while back, I wrote about how my wife and I spent the better part of a weekend doing a deep clean of our home. We went through every room in the house and ended up donating or trashing old clothes, dishes, cooking utensils, DVDs, useless papers, you name it.

And, as I stated before, it was an amazingly cathartic experience and, when it was all said and done, felt like we had a two-ton boulder lifted off of our shoulders. (I’m a poet and didn’t even know it!)

Since then we’ve aspired to follow a minimalist lifestyle, meaning we try to get by on no more than what we truly need. This, too, has been an awesome experience.

One would think that living in a consumer and materialistic society, the adjustment would be difficult. In fact, the opposite is true, mostly because of how great we now feel.

For example:

Being frugal is a lot easier. The enemy of being frugal is a warped sense of knowing the difference between needs and wants.

In our materialistic society, many people determine their own personal worth by how many things they can acquire, how big of a house they can buy, etc. Ultimately, you’re mostly succumbing to your wants, which, in turn, makes you want even more!

By following a minimalist path, you’re succumbing to just your needs. You’re not out every other weekend at Pottery Barn trying to buy the new trendy lamps for your home. Your basic, solid-color lamps do just fine of filling your house with light. You don’t have 800 decorative pillows on your bed because the only ones you’re not going to chuck aside as you fall asleep are the pillows you lay your head on.

In cutting out the wants, you’re able to save boatloads more money.

You feel happier. When you aspire to own a bunch of stuff and fall short, you’re left with an empty feeling. Or, even worse, when you are able to get everything you want and it’s still not enough, you’re left with an even bigger void.

By being genuinely happy with less that void simply does not exist. If you can have all of the basic stuff you need – food, shelter, companionship – along with a few small indulgences, you’re much more likely to feel whole and fulfilled; you’re not constantly chasing things.

These two points are big, but they’re just the beginning.

Seriously, please consider going the minimalist route. You’ll be incredibly happy you did.

What are your thoughts? Have you tried being a minimalist? Does the idea seem weird to you? Leave your comments below!

DiggRedditStumbleUponShare

{ 2 comments }

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →