Unwilling economies and motivation

[vass]

I have come to the conclusion that the most frugal thing I could do is to stop drinking diet Coke and put all the money I spend per month on soft drinks into a savings account. I really, really love diet Coke. But I want a savings cushion, and the money has to come from somewhere.

If I give up diet Coke and icecream except for special occasions, I'll save about AUD$120 per month. I have enough tea, both loose leaf and in bags, to last me a long time, because I simply like the diet Coke better, for the caffeine; and for the hydration I can simply drink water.

If I substitute chickpeas (51c for 100g dry even if I don't buy them in bulk, then cooked in the crockpot and then refrigerated or frozen) for my beloved vegetarian hot dogs (on which I spend about $25 a week) I'll save nearly $70 a month.

If I made just these changes and no others, I could have a $1000 cushion in less than half a year.

Or I could be less frugal and just buy soda water instead of Coke, and save $45.30 per month. I'd still get my cushion in less than 7 months. And maybe at the end of that time, I won't want Coke or icecream or vegie hot dogs any more. (It seems unlikely, but people's tastes do change.) Or I could just be happy with my cushion, and go back to my old wasteful ways. Or I could do it half a year every year, and in five years I'd have enough for a term deposit.

I would like some encouragement, please, because I'm very scared.

Comments

[jenett]

Go, you!

I agree with the idea of one thing at a time. Some things that might help, since they helped me when I was getting rid of Diet Coke as my main drink (though not for financial reasons)

- I went through a stage where I bought fizzy water instead - which might not be cheaper, but was better for me (which is why I was trying to get off the diet Coke)

- Water with a little something for flavor helped hugely: a tablespoon of lemon juice, lime juice, or a teaspoon of fruit or apple cider vinegar in 16 ounces of water is a good starting place, and adds a little flavor (also, if you're used to the acidity in soda, it'll help your body adjust.)

- Think about not buying any for home, but allowing yourself to (occasionally) buy a can at work, or when you're out somewhere or whatever else makes sense with your life. This helped me not feel so deprived, but meant I wasn't buying cartons for home, either.

These days I'm down to a can or two a week, when I want the caffeine. (I'm not a coffee or black tea drinker, and sugared soda tastes way too sweet for me.)

[sarasvati]

Think about not buying any for home, but allowing yourself to (occasionally) buy a can at work, or when you're out somewhere or whatever else makes sense with your life. This helped me not feel so deprived, but meant I wasn't buying cartons for home, either.

I did this when I stopped drinking so much cola (mostly for health reasons). I like it, so giving it up cold turkey was difficult, but I decided that I just wouldn't buy any to have around the apartment unless it was some dire emergency, like needing to pull an all-nighter or something. I'll still treat myself to a Coke or Pepsi if I'm eating out, and that's helped a lot, because I'm satisfying a craving without going overboard, and it's helped me to look at colas as treats instead of necessities of life.

[finch]

Thirding the comment about not buying cola for your home. I'll get a soda when I'm out at a movie (discount cup) or certain restaurants, but I almost never have it in the house.. It definitely helped with cutting back.