Let’s talk about people who share what I like to call the “I Had No Idea” experience.
I Had No Idea people come to us every day here at Credit Canada. They are experiencing problems with debt, and they have come to us for counselling. We look into matters and devise a game plan – involving money, lifestyle and attitudes – that will put things straight.
Part of that straightening out process involves tracking and analysis of the I Had No Idea person’s spending habits. This enables the I Had No Idea person to adhere to a budget, which must be strictly followed if debts are to be overcome.
It is usually during the process of analyzing spending habits that the I Had No Idea person at last comes to realize that he or she had no idea.
“I had no idea I was spending that much money at Starbucks,” comes the response.
Or another: “Oh my, look at all the National Enquirers I bought. One for every trip through the grocery check-out aisle. I had no idea. Do you suppose a used bookstore would pay me anything for them?”
Or yet another: “I had no idea all that dough was going to strip joints and cocaine. Why, I could be mortgage free and driving a Land Rover right now.”
Yes, dear reader, a lot of people are quite oblivious to all the coin that flows through their hands, recklessly frittering money away on things that are given short shrift financially – till they are added up.
Speaking of Starbucks, I often use coffee as an example when discussing the matter of thoughtless spending. Say you treat yourself to a $4.00 cup of coffee every day of the workweek. Just tally up what that costs you over the course of a year. How about $1,040.00? Did you have any idea?
I speak about the I Had No Idea people only to bring the point home that awareness of what is spent on all life’s little things can make a big difference financially over time. It’s advice that applies not only to pleasurable habits and nasty addictions, but to everyday living.
Right now, if you take financial stock of every aspect of your life, your family, your home, car etc. – all the material things that support your lifestyle – you probably will be surprised to find that all kinds of opportunities present themselves for saving coin.
Just by way of illustration, here’s an I Had No Idea Top 10 List worth considering.
10. I had no idea I could save so much by cutting back my selects on the lottery.
9. I had no idea I could save so much by shopping at the local farmers’ market.
8. I had no idea I could save so much on movies by joining Netflix.
7. I had no idea I could save so much by getting my wife to cut my hair.
6. I had no idea I could save so much by using a bicycle to get to work.
5. I had no idea I could save so much by using a Brita water filter instead of bottled water.
4. I had no idea I could save so much by unsubscribing to those porn sites.
3. I had no idea I could save so much by dumping my unused cable services.
2. I had no idea I could save so much by weatherproofing my home.
1. I had no idea I could save so much by using VoIP services in place of my cell.
It’s a random list. But you get the idea.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I got the idea thanks to your company; I thank your organization for teaching me how to budget! Also for teaching the difference between need and wants. Those coffees and Starbucks sandwiches definitely add up when they could and should be saved for something else. Besides given the price of groceries lately, I’ll keep that money in my pocket, thanks.