Lying at the bottom of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs are physiological and safety needs. These pertain to sleep, clothing, food, shelter, personal security, and health, among others. Without these, it would be extremely harder for us to develop holistically.
The problem with this is that even the necessities are difficult to achieve if you don’t have money. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t hope of having all of these if you have a limited income. We’re going to teach you how to afford a comfortable life on a budget.
How to Live Life on a Budget
Whether it’s because of personal challenges or the circumstances you’re presented with right at the beginning, a limited income is not a verdict on living a hopeless life. There are ways to achieve a comfortable life, and below are some tips on how you can have that.
Find a Financial Plan that Works
The first thing you need to do is to find a financial plan that works for you. Some people don’t realize just how much they’re spending on unnecessary things and how it impacts their lives. Learning how to make a budget plan might be the only thing that’s missing from your life. By identifying how much you’re currently earning and your essential expenses, you can identify how to spend your money wisely.
Housing
Whether they’re on their own or have a family, finding a comfortable home is one of adults’ biggest problems. While it’s true that paying for rent or mortgage is rather expensive, keep in mind that these aren’t the only ways to solve your housing needs. If you’ve experienced emotional and behavioral struggles and are currently on the road to recovery, some services offer transitional housing to guarantee that you’re provided with the necessary tools to get back up on your feet and retake control of your life.
Eat Well and Affordably
One common problem with having a limited income source is that some people tend to cut their budget on healthy food and choose cheap but harmful ones instead. However, this can significantly cause your physical and mental health to decline, leading to more treatment and therapy expenses. Always remember that you can eat well on a budget. By learning how to make healthy foods and finding the lowest prices on the market for fruits and vegetables, you get to save money while living healthily.
Low-Cost Relaxation
Even when you’re working as hard as you can, your mind needs to take a break once in a while. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to spend all your hard-earned money on entertainment. There are plenty of low-cost relaxation activities that can guarantee that you maintain or even improve your mental health without breaking the bank. This way, you get to cover both your mental and financial needs.
Let Your Friends Know About Your Financial Limit
Having friends is an essential part of life. However, we must understand that we deal with different things, and sometimes, that means they can live a more extravagant lifestyle. This doesn’t mean that you should mold your life according to theirs. There’s no shame in telling your friends about your financial limit. In fact, it can actually be helpful for you. Sometimes, people need a gentle nudge, and they would be more than happy to reach out. Besides, your real friends will accept you for who you are and what you have.
Shop at Thrift Stores
Clothing is another basic necessity for us, and sometimes, some of our clothes would get damaged or worn-out, rendering them unusable. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to spend big bucks on quality apparel. Check your local thrift stores because some clothes they’re selling are branded, and you can guarantee that they last for extended periods of time. You can have this basic necessity covered without shelling out lots of your hard-earned money.
Work Hard
Arguably the best piece of advice we could ever give those who are currently struggling is to work hard. Understanding that life is difficult and the only way to get to the good parts is to battle your way to it is essential in ensuring that you don’t just cover all your necessities but actually live a comfortable lifestyle without worrying about your finances.
Life can be quite difficult, especially for those who don’t earn as much to afford a better life quality. However, we must always remember that the circumstances we are provided with are just challenges. They are opportunities to learn more about life and ensure that we grow fully as a person.
