Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a die-hard procrastinator. It is one of my many flaws. I stress the "many". My motto since high-school has been, "No matter how long I have to do something, that is how long it will take." When it comes to spending money there are some reasons for and against procrastinating.
Reasons Not to Procrastinate
1. The number one reason I can think of to not put off things until later is the hazard of Late Fees.
~~If I borrow books from the public library for free but do not return them on time it costs money. I once returned a book to our library 2 years late. No kidding. It was packed up in a box when we moved to our house and sat in the attic for 2 years. Cost: $31
~~Credit cards charge enormous late fees which can then turn into overlimit fees if you are close to being maxed out. Been there, done that! Thankfully we are now credit card free.
~~If your utilities get shut off you usually have to pay a re-connect fee and sometimes supply the company with a hefty deposit. Yep, I'll admit to having my phone shut off once.
2. Stress and Guilt
Waiting until the last minute creates stress in your life and usually ends up costing more money. ~~When you put off what to cook for supper you are more likely to eat fast food.
~~When you put off buying birthday gifts you usually pick up something that will cost you more than if you had planned it out earlier.
~~When you need to do something and you keep thinking about it but not doing it, you can go crazy with guilt. Ask me how I know!
~~ I once repeatedly passed by a dry cleaner's where I had taken a dress to be cleaned. I always drove by on the wrong side of the road and didn't bother picking it up then. Or I would pass by the store and then remember the dress but was in too much of a hurry to turn around. I never picked that dress up. It's long gone to the Goodwill or something but now I have pangs of guilt every time I drive by that store.
Please tell me I'm not the only one who has done stupid stuff like that!
3. Waste of Time
~~The time you spend thinking and dwelling on a task is actual time you could use to do the task or another equally important task.
Reasons to Procrastinate
1. Put off buying things you think you "need" and make do with what you have. Right now I "need" some shorts for summer. I just keep wearing the old ones. School will be out in a few weeks and I will be mostly at home for the summer. My summer attire for staying home doesn't have to be "new". Old will do.
2. Put off buying a new book then get it at the library for free. Just remember to return it!
3. Put off buying groceries and really dive into what you have in the freezer and pantry. Let your kids help you think of possibilities with what you have on hand.
4. Put off major purchases and wait for the end of the model year sales.
When has procrastination cost you money?
What are you putting off now in order to save?
Please share your stories and tips for us professional procrastinators!
3 frugal-minded friends say:
I'm a procrastinator and not in a good way. The use of the library is defeated by the fines from putting off returning books. I usually put off going to the store and by the time I get there, all the sale items are gone and I end up with something higher priced. I used to be bad about renting movies until I joined Netflix 3 years ago. Thank goodness they don't charge late fees because on more than one occasion, I have misplaced a movie and finally found it a month later.
Just wanted to share a great recipe site that you can use to help you use up those lingering items in your freezer and pantry. It's www.supercook.com. You can enter as many ingredients that you have on hand - or look at their suggested list. Recipes suggestions will tell you if you have everything or what you're missing. I love this site!
Just wanted to share a great recipe site that you can use to help you use up those lingering items in your freezer and pantry. It's www.supercook.com. You can enter as many ingredients that you have on hand - or look at their suggested list. Recipes suggestions will tell you if you have everything or what you're missing. I love this site!
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