Pennies Not Perfection

Need a little boost in your financial journey? Sometimes you just need to work on your mindset. These positive money affirmations can help you improve your mindset and bring about financial abundance in your life.

In this post we look at the money affirmations that work for building positive money mindsets. They can help you let go of negative money beliefs and improve your financial habits.

If you’re someone that wants to overcome anxiety and improve your mindset then these money affirmations might work for you.

In this guide we look at what money affirmations are, how to use them, why they can help and share a list of many financial affirmations you can use that truly work.

What are money affirmations?

Many people use positive affirmations in the area of self-improvement to level up their confidence or self-esteem. These affirmations often help people change their mindset and achieve greater things in life.

Did you know using positive money affirmations can also shift your beliefs about money?

Many of us grow up with incorrect beliefs about money or negative feelings around financial abundance. These negative thought patterns are often built into our lives and not even recognized consciously.

Money affirmations can help change this.

These money affirmations can:

• build a more positive relationship with money
• manifest financial abundance (both money and other things)
• improve anxiety around spending money
• help correct negative money mindsets from the past

Money is necessary to survive and thrive in the world we live in. Wouldn’t you want to improve the relationship you have with money and bring about financial abundance to your life?

Applying money affirmations to your life might feel a bit strange at first, but for many people it leads to achieving big financial goals like paying off debt and building wealth.

I’ll be honest, I found many of them strange at first. But with any growth, the beginning is uncomfortable but builds a foundation for success.

Now let’s look at some money affirmations that work for manifesting financial abundance.

Money Affirmations For Abundance

Want to start building an abundance mindset in your life? Try out these money affirmations.

1. Money flows to me easily.
2. I am a money magnet.
3. I love being a money magnet.
4. Money comes to me in expected and unexpected ways.
5. I attract wealth, abundance, and joy.
6. I do great things with the abundance I receive.
7. I have a healthy savings account.
8. My income increases everyday.
9. I am worthy of abundance.
10. I am surrounded by abundance.
11. There is always more where that came from.
12. I am wealthy and successful
13. I attract prosperity into my life.
14. There are no limits to the money I attract.
15. I love money for what it does for me.
16. Money flows to me, through me and from me in abundance.
17. I attract money quickly and easily.
18. Money is energy and energy is an unlimited resource.
19. I attain all the wealth and abundance I desire easily.
20. Money pours into my life every day.
21. I trust money is always coming to me.
22. I receive money easily and effortlessly.
23. Money is energy and I match the vibration of money.
24. I breathe in abundance and breathe out what no longer serves me.
25. I am open to money that comes to me for the highest good of all.
26. Abundance surrounds me everywhere.
27. I am rich beyond my imagination.

Affirmations For Financial Success

Do you feel like you want financial success but can’t achieve it? Turn around your mindset with these positive money affirmations.

1. Success is always flowing to me.
2. I am worthy of success.
3. I attract opportunities for success.
4. There are no limits to the success I achieve.
5. I am a magnet for successful ideas.
6. I am compensated richly for the good I do in this world.
7. I learn lessons every day that bring me abundance and wealth.

Positive Money Affirmations For Mindset

How you think about money is your money mindset and for many of us it is very negative. Try to work on building a positive money mindset with these affirmations.

1. I improve my relationship with money every day.
2. I am mindful of building wealth in my life.
3. My thoughts create my reality.
4. I let go of my financial past and forgive myself for mistakes.
5. I am open to new beliefs around money.
6. I am ready for new abundance.
7. I deserve abundance.
8. My prosperity is inevitable.
9. I am in control of my spending.
10. Money allows me to live my dream life.
11. I enjoy managing and investing my money.
12. I am as wealthy as I want to be and have financial freedom.

Changing Your Relationship With Money

Using money affirmations is all about changing the relationship you have with money. Changing your conscious and subconscious thought patterns about money can improve your life.

It’s great to learn about personal finance and implement best practices while also improving your mindset with affirmations.

Without changing your relationship with money you will constantly fall into the same bad financial habits over and over.

While you use money affirmations daily you’ll want to also check in on your relationship with money. You can do this by asking yourself a few questions:

1. What do I feel about my financial situation right now?
2. Do I feel anxious or depressed about money?
3. Does it feel like I will never succeed financially?
4. Is money something I treat with respect?
5. Do I feel guilty about spending money?

Often in the beginning of a financial journey you will have mostly negative answers to these questions.

Over time by using positive money affirmations you can change your answers to more positive ones. As you feel this happening you’ll see improvement in all areas of your financial life.

How To Use Money Affirmations

Building a routine in your day that includes using money affirmations is the best way to successfully use them. This will insure that you use them over and over and continue to build a positive mindset.

Affirmation Repetition

The most common way to use money affirmations is to simply repeat them. Over and over repeating the affirmation about money helps change your belief.

In theory your subconscious mind is reprogrammed by the repetition as you repeat the new belief.

Even if you don’t feel like they are working at first you will become more comfortable with the sayings over time.

Listening To Affirmations

Another great way to use money affirmations is to just listen to them. You can look them up on YouTube to play in the background or just record yourself repeating them over and over.

You can play them and listen actively or just listen in the background as you go about your daily activities.

Either way, listening is a great way to let your brain soak up the positive money affirmations you are trying to take in.

Money Affirmation Routines

A common way to use affirmations is to build them into an existing routine like bedtime. This is when you are often relaxed and in a more suggestible state when affirmations can take hold.

Your routine would look something like this:

• Lay down and close your eyes (give yourself at least 5 minutes before desired bedtime).
• Visualize a future version of yourself that is good with money and succesful.
• Repeat 3-5 financial abundance affirmations:
  • I AM WORTHY OF ABUNDANCE
  • I AM SURROUNDED BY ABUNDANCE
  • I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY ABUNDANCE
• Continue your visualization while remembering your future you is full of and grateful for abundance. Visualize your dreams that came true in this future vision of yourself.

This is just one way to use affirmations successfully in your life.

There are other ways you can research and test out to find the most effective method for yourself, whether it’s writing out your affirmations for money and success or just repeating them while driving to work.

Resources For Financial Abundance

These financial affirmations will help you start changing your money mindset but sometimes you want to really dive deep.

In that case you can delve deep into learning financial abundance and improving your relationship with money by reading the following books.

Keep Growing Financially

Have you used money affirmations to improve your money mindset? Let me know!

Positive money affirmations are just one part of the puzzle. You still need to learn about personal finance and how money works.

Here are a few started guides and resources to learn more about money:

• 10 Ways To Take Control Of Your Finances
• 5 Ways to Simplify Your Finances
• 111 Quotes To Motivate Your Debt Free Journey
• 10 Tips To Pay Off Debt
• Pennies Not Perfection YouTube channel (follow my own financial journey!)

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As a student, you’re probably looking for ways to make some extra money. And if you’re like most people, you want to find a way that doesn’t require too much work. Why else would you be searching for passive income ideas for students?

Passive income is a great way to make money without putting in much money upfront. It’s an ideal option for students because you have lots of time but not a lot of capital.

There are many different ways to earn passive income for students, and we’ve compiled a list of some of the best options here.

No matter what route you choose, it’s important to get started right away. It can take time to start generating passive income!

What is Passive Income?

Before we dive into the different ways you can start earning passive income, let’s first define what it is.

Passive income is defined as “an income that is received regularly, with little effort required to maintain it.”

In other words, it’s money that you make without having to put in additional work. This can be from investments, such as stocks or real estate, or from other sources, such as selling digital products online.

Passive income is a great way to make money in my opinion. It’s what I’ve built my whole business around. You put in effort or money upfront but continue to make money for years to come.

Once you start generating passive income, it can provide you with a consistent stream of income that can help you pay off your student loans, start investing for your future, or simply free up your time to focus on other things.

Ways To Make Passive Income As A Student

There are many different ways to generate passive income, and we’ve compiled a list of some of the best options below.

Before we go through the list, remember that passive income can’t be generated from nothing. You need to invest either time or money upfront to get passive income streams going. It’s important to be realistic about making passive income before you get started.

With that said, let’s look at some passive income ideas for students!

Here are a few ways to earn passive income:

• start a blog
• affiliate marketing
• start a youtube channel
• sell stock photos
• become a social media influencer
• sell digital products online
• sell stock photos
• rent out a room on Airbnb
• earn rent from a roommate

Now let’s cover these each with a little more information in case you want to get started making passive income!

Start a Blog

If you’re looking for a more long-term passive income idea, starting a blog is a great option. Blogging can take some time to get started, but it can be a great way to earn passive income over time.

When you start a blog, you’ll need to write articles and promote your site. But once you have a following, you can start earning money from advertising, affiliate marketing, or selling products.

To get started, all you need to do is choose a topic for your blog and start writing articles. Once you have a few articles published, you can start promoting your site and attracting readers.

If you’re looking for a passive income idea that you can grow over time, starting a blog is a great option. It may take some time to get started, but it can be a great way to earn money in the long run.

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Affiliate Marketing

If you’re looking for a another long-term passive income idea, affiliate marketing is a great option. Affiliate marketing is when you promote products or services for companies and earn a commission from sales.

To get started, you’ll need to find a product or service to promote. Once you’ve found something to promote, you can start writing articles or making videos about it.

You can then promote your affiliate links on your blog or YouTube channel. You’ll earn a commission when someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase.

If you’re looking for a passive income idea that you can grow over time, affiliate marketing is a great option. It may take some time to get started, but it can be a great way to earn money in the long run.

Want some help with affiliate marketing? Check out these guides:

• Affiliate Marketing Tutorials
• Best Affiliate Marketing Networks To Join
• How To Create An Amazon Affiliate Link
• Making Money With Affiliate Marketing Guide

Start a YouTube Channel

Another great way to earn passive income for students is to start a YouTube channel. If you have a knack for video, this can be a great way to make money.

To get started, all you need to do is create a YouTube account and start uploading videos. Once your videos are published, you can enable advertising and start earning money from views.

YouTube is a great way to make passive income because you can earn money without doing much work. Once your videos are published, you don’t have to do anything else except wait for people to watch them.

If you’re looking for a passive income idea that you can do from anywhere, then a YouTube channel is a great option. You can film videos on your phone or computer and then earn money while you’re doing other things.

Curious how to make passive income on YouTube? Read these articles:

• How To Make Money On YouTube
• Most Profitable Niches On YouTube
• Make Money On YouTube Without Showing Your Face
• Best Bank Account For YouTubers

Become a Social Media Influencer

If you’re active on social media, you can start earning passive income by becoming an influencer. Influencers have a large social media following and make money from promoting products or services.

To get started, all you need to do is create a social media account and start posting content. Once you have a following, you can start working with brands and promoting their products.

If you’re looking for a passive income idea that you can do from anywhere, becoming an influencer is a great option.

You can promote products on your social media accounts and then earn money while you’re doing other things.

Not sure how to get brand deals? You can always start with getting products to review for free and build from there.

Sell Digital Products on Etsy

If you’re creative, you can start earning passive income by selling digital products on Etsy. Etsy is an online marketplace where people sell handmade and vintage items.

To get started, all you need to do is create an Etsy account and start listing your products. Once your products are listed, you can start promoting them on social media or on your blog.

If you’re looking for a passive income idea that you can do from anywhere, selling digital products on Etsy is a great option. You can create your products from anywhere and then sell them online.

Want to get started with Etsy digital products? We’ve got you covered!

• How To Make Digital Downloads For Etsy
• How To Create An Etsy Digital Product Listing
• How Much Money Can You Make on Etsy?
• Best Bank Account For Your Etsy Business

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Sell Stock Photos

Another easy way to start earning passive income is to sell stock photos. There are many different stock photo websites, such as Shutterstock and iStock, where you can sell your photos.

To get started, all you need to do is create an account on a stock photo website and upload your photos. Once your photos are approved, they will be available for people to purchase.

When someone buys one of your photos, you will earn a commission. And the best part is, you don’t have to do anything else after you upload your photos.

If you’re looking for a passive income idea that you can do from anywhere, selling stock photos is a great option. You can upload your photos from your phone or computer and then earn money while you’re doing other things.

Invest in Stocks

Investing in stocks is another great way to start earning passive income. When you invest in stocks, you’re buying a piece of a company.

If the company does well, the stock will increase in value, and you can sell it for a profit. And if the company doesn’t do well, the stock will go down in value, and you can sell it for a loss.

Investing in stocks is a great way to start earning passive income because it doesn’t require much work. Once you’ve bought the stock, you don’t have to do anything else except wait for the value to go up or down.

These are just a few of the many different ways you can start earning passive income as a college student. These are some great options to consider if you’re looking for ways to make money without having to work too hard.

Rent Out a Room on Airbnb

One of the easiest ways to start earning passive income is to rent out a room on Airbnb. If you have an extra room in your house or apartment, you can list it on Airbnb and start earning money from guests who stay there.

Airbnb is a great way to make passive income because you can earn money without doing much work. Once you list your room, you don’t have to do anything else except wait for guests to book it.

To get started, all you need to do is create an account on Airbnb and list your room. You can set your own price and decide when you want to rent it out.

If you’re looking for a passive income idea that requires little effort, renting out a room on Airbnb is a great option.

Earn Rent From a Roommate

If you don’t want to rent out a room on Airbnb, another option is to find a roommate. This is a great way to make some extra money without having to do any work.

You can search online or ask around your college campus to find a roommate. Once you find someone who is interested in living with you, you can sign a lease and start collecting rent.

Collecting rent from a roommate is a great way to make passive income because it requires minimal effort. Once you find a roommate and sign a lease, you can just sit back and collect monthly rent.

More Passive Income Ideas

Not sold on any of the ideas above? Try some of these additional passive income options:

• Rent out your car on Turo
• Advertise on your car
• Rent your stuff on loanables.com or fatllama.com
• Rent your parking space
• Sell your notes to classmates on Study Soup
• Create and sell an online course on your best skill
• Start a print on demand store
• Use cashback apps and credit cards when you shop

Summary

There are many different ways for college students to start earning passive income.

Remember that “passive income” is not just a magical income stream. It requires either lots of hard work upfront and then it becomes semi-passive.

Luckily for students you’ve got the time and energy to hustle and create passive income streams.

No matter what route you choose, it’s important to get started right away so you can start generating income!

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Getting money back for things you already plan to buy is one of the most satisfying things in the world. It’s an easy way to automate every day savings. Here I’m sharing the best cash back apps I personally use to save money.

Using cash back apps has been the best way I save money on groceries. I’m not a coupon cutter and rarely shop sale ads, but I’m happy to scan a receipt or click a link to save money.

Cash back apps are the best way to save money the lazy way!

If you want to take advantage of all the cash back apps and get some more money back in your pocket, check out the following cashback and reward apps that you can use to save.

Best Cash Back Apps

The following are the best cash back apps and reward point apps out there. Using one or all of these will help you save money on things you are already buying.

All of these cash back apps are legitimate, pay out as promised, and keep your data safe with high level security.

Ibotta

Ibotta is one of the largest and best cashback apps for grocery shopping. They have multiple partnerships with large retailers and grocery stores.

Ibotta: Shop & Earn Cash Back

With Ibotta, you can get cash back every time you shop online or in stores. Their app makes it easy, fast, and safe to save up to 30%.

Use code vernepp to get a $10 sign up bonus on your first receipt.

Sign Up Now

I earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

With Ibotta you click on offers and decide what to buy. You add offers to your list for a store and then make the purchase. After the purchase you either have your loyalty card linked or scan your receipt to match up the offers you bought. For each offer you are given cash back into your account.

When you reach $20 in cashback rewards in Ibotta you can then withdraw as cash or gift cards.

Sign up for Ibotta to start saving now!

Learn more about the cashback app Ibotta:

• Ibotta Referral Code “VERNEPP”
• Ibotta Sign Up Bonus: What is it for 2022?

Rakuten

Rakuten (previously called Ebates) is a browser extension you can use to get cashback on online purchases.

Rakuten: Shop & Get Cash Back

Make money while you shop online with Rakuten. Get cash back, deals and shopping rewards from your favorite stores when you use Rakuten.

Start Earning Now

I earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

If you are shopping online then you need to sign up for Rakuten and install their browser extension. It automatically detects any cash back opportunities and sends you a ping to let you know. It’s the easiest way to get cash back for any online purchases – you barely have to do anything besides click a link!

When you are using Rakuten a message will pop up automatically when you are on a website. It will let you know how much cash back you can earn. Then you must activate the cash back savings by clicking the link and continuing to shop.

Rakuten works with a variety of retailers from Amazon to Walmart and more. They offer anywhere from 1% to 20% or more cashback. They do this by sharing part of their affiliate commission with you when you click their link to shop.

Rakuten pays out cash and sends you a check or direct deposit to your bank account.

Sign up for Rakuten to save money!

More about cash back app Rakuten:

• Rakuten Referral Code for 2022

Fetch Rewards

This incredible app allows you to earn points by scanning your receipts after shopping. You earn more points on specific brands but every receipt earns points that you can use to redeem gift cards.

Fetch Rewards App

Fetch Rewards is the #1 cash back app to scan your receipts and earn free gift cards.

Use code MV7RR to get a free $2 bonus (2,000 points)!

Sign Up Now

Review & Tutorial

I earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

With Fetch Rewards you can scan receipts from grocery stores, gas stations, and most major retailers. You can also connect your email and earn cash back for spending online at sites like Amazon.

Fetch Rewards is a fantastic app to use because it can be combined with other methods of saving money. Unfortunately it does not pay out in cash and you’ll only be able to get gift cards for your points.

Start earning money with Fetch Rewards (use code MV7RR)!

More about rewards app Fetch Rewards:

• How To Use Fetch Rewards Tutorial & Review
• How To Add A Referral Code On Fetch Rewards
• Fetch Rewards Referral Code 2022
• Fetch Rewards Fortnite V-Bucks: Does It Work?

Honey

Honey is a cash back app that works as a browser extension for shopping online similar to Rakuten.

Honey

Join 17 million Honey users who let Honey search for deals and apply counpons automatically. Save money and earn points with this easy to use browser extension.

Join Now

I earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

With Honey the browser extension works by finding coupons for items you purchase online. It also works to find other discounts and lower prices for items you are planning to buy. Automating the process to find the lowest prices helps you save money and earn cash back.

With Honey you earn points and then can use those points to get gift cards and thousands of retailers.

Join Honey and start earning cash back points!

How Do Cash Back Apps Work?

Almost all of these cashback apps work in the same way.

In general the process looks the same:

• download the app or install the browser extension
• create your account
• start adding your receipts/connecting your receipts
• let the cash back app verify your purchase
• earn cash for your spending
• cash out your money when you hit the threshhold

Each one operates slightly differently but this is the general process for using a cash back app.

Can I Instantly Earn On Cash Back Apps?

Yes, you can!

With most of these apps you can instantly earn money by signing up with a referral code. You’ll see my codes are listed above and you can find more referral codes here.

When you use a referral code to sign up for an app you can get an instant bonus. These will range from $2 on Fetch Rewards to up to $30 on Rakuten.

How Do Cash Back Apps Make Money?

If you are earning money with an app then YOU are likely the product.

These apps are supported financially by the brands and stores providing the cash. You are the product in this case because the app is selling the connection to you as the purchaser.

These cash back apps then split the profits and give you a slice of the income. Giving customers back a percentage of the amount spent keeps everyone happy.

Bottom Line

These cashback programs will not make you rich. In fact, they won’t even bring in all that much money.

But they are low effort, easy ways to get more money for things you are already doing. Keeping a little bit more of your money is always a good thing. Every bit helps and pennies add up to dollars.

Implementing these cash back apps into your regular spending routines will be an easy way to save more money. Try a couple out and see which ones work best for you!

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Need a bit of motivation on your debt free journey? These motivational quotes about paying debts might help.

Let’s be honest: paying off debt is difficult.

Even with encouragement and extra income it can be hard to stay on track while chipping away at balances. That’s why you need to continually find motivation in things like visual trackers, money affirmations or these quotes about paying debts.

If you are motivated by inspirational quotes then this post will provide a boost to your debt free journey. In this list we’ve compiled:

• quotes about debt
• quotes about the dangers of debt
• motivational quotes about paying debt
• quotes for your debt free journey
• biblical quotes about paying debts
• Dave Ramsey quotes about debt and money

Between all of these different types of quotes you are sure to find some inspiration to keep going.

Quotes About Debt

Debt enables many people to live a lifestyle they can’t actually afford. These quotes about debt show many recurring themes about carrying debt on items.

Are you ready to pay off your debt? You will be after reading these quotes:

1. “Every time you borrow money, you’re robbing your future self.” – Nathan W. Morris
2. “Just because you can buy it, doesn’t mean you can afford it.” – Suze Orman
3. “Debt basically enables people to live a lie.” – Rachel Cruze
4. “Rich people plan for three generations. Poor people plan for Saturday night.” – Gloria Steinem
5. “Some debts are fun when you are acquiring them, but none are fun when you set about retiring them.” – Ogden Nash
6. “When you buy a bigger house, another luxury car, or a fancy boat, you are showing people that you used to have money.” – Christopher Manske
7. “The basic thing with frugality is: IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD IT, DON’T BUY IT.” – Harken Headers
8. “Rich people have small TVs and big libraries, and poor people have small libraries and big TVs.”– Zig Ziglar
9. “[Credit is a system whereby] a person who can’t pay, gets another person who can’t pay, to guarantee that he can pay.” – Charles Dickens
10. “Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally. It comes from what you do consistently.” –Marie Forleo
11. “A good name is still to be preferred over great riches. Especially it is to be preferred to the appearance of riches, acquired with nothing down and nothing to pay for 2 months.” – Ezra Taft Benson
12. “Creditors have better memories than debtors.” – Benjamin Franklin
13. “One of the greatest disservices you can do a man is to lend him money that he can’t pay back.” – Jesse H Jones
14. “Wars in old times were made to get slaves. The modern implement of imposing slavery is debt.” – Ezra Pound
15. “Don’t let your mouth write a check that your ass can’t cash, son.” – Charles Portis
16. “Debt is a prolific mother of folly and of crime.” – Benjamin Disraeli
17. “I make myself rich by making my wants few.” – Henry David Thoreau
18. “Rich people believe ‘I create my life.” Poor people believe ‘Life happens to me’” – T. Harv Eker
19. “It’s not your salary that makes you rich, it’s your spending habits.” – Charles A. Jaffe
20.  “Every time you borrow money, you’re robbing your future self.” – Nathan Morris

Quotes About The Danger Of Debt

Do you think debt is dangerous? Or is it just a way of life for people? Many thought leaders past and present have been quoted speaking about debt and the danger of carrying debt.

These quotes might be helpful to wake you up to the reality of being buried in debt:

1. “To grasp why people bury themselves in debt, you don’t need to study interest rate: you need to study the history of greed, insecurity, and optimism.” – Morgan Housel
2. “Debt can turn a free, happy person into a bitter human being.” – Michael Mihalik
3. “Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.” – Josh Billings
4. “Before borrowing money from a friend, decide which you need most.” – American Proverb
5. “The man who never has money enough to pay his debts has too much of something else.” – James Lendall Basford
6. “Home life ceases to be free and beautiful as soon as it is founded on borrowing and debt.” – Henrik Ibsen
7. “Do not accustom yourself to consider debt only as an inconvenience; you will find it a calamity.” – Samuel Johnson
8. “Students who acquire large debts putting themselves through school are unlikely to think about changing society. When you trap people in a system of debt, they can’t afford the time to think.” – Noam Chomsky
9. “It is the debtor that is ruined by hard times.” – Rutherford B. Hayes
10. “Debt on anything that depreciates is disastrous.” – Orrin Woodward
11. “A creditor is worse than a slave-owner; for the master owns only your person, but a creditor owns your dignity and can command it.” – Victor Hugo
12. “Credit buying is much like being drunk. The buzz happens immediately and gives you a lift… The hangover comes the day after.” – Joyce Brothers 
13. “Interest works night and day; in fair weather and in foul. It gnaws at a man’s substance with invisible teeth.” – Henry Ward Beecher
14. “Out of debt, out of danger.” – Jerry Voorhis
15.  “Debt is the worst poverty.” –Thomas Fuller
16.  “Debt is great source of inner unhappiness.” – Debasish Mridha
17. “Annual income, twenty pounds; annual expenditure, nineteen pounds; result, happiness. Annual income, twenty pounds; annual expenditure, twenty-one pounds; result, misery.” – Charles Dickens

Motivational Quotes About Paying Debt

These quotes about paying debt show how debt payoff can be difficult but necessary. Debt freedom is liberating to people.

These motivational quotes about paying debt prove it:

1. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” -Nelson Mandela
2. “Pay off your debt first. Freedom from debt is worth more than any amount you can earn.” – Mark Cuban
3. “Wherever you are, be all there.” –Jim Elliot
4. “It’s always too early to quit.” –Norman Vincent Peale
5. “All you can change is yourself, but sometimes that changes everything.” –Gary W. Goldstein
6. “A healthy and debt free living person is the richest and the happiest.” – Sushmitha Maddula
7. “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” –C.S. Lewis
8. “We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.” –Max Depree
9. “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.” –Napoleon Hill
10. “The stronger the why, the easier the how becomes.” –Jim Rohn
11. “Doubting yourself is normal. Letting it stop you is a choice.” –Mel Robbins
12. “You’re never ready for what you have to do. You just do it. That makes you ready.” –Schreiber
13.  “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” –George Halas
14. “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up.” –Vince Lombardi
15. “Without self discipline, success is impossible, period.” –Lou Holtz
16. “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” –Mark Twain
17. “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” –Confucius
18. “What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.” –Oscar Wilde
19. “The middle is messy. But it’s also where the magic happens.” –Brene Brown
20. “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” –Winston Churchill

Quotes For Your Debt Free Journey

Paying off debt can be difficult and for many people is a journey that takes many years. During that time you will need motivation to continue your debt free journey. Remember to keep going because you can be debt free!

The follow quotes and sayings can provide inspiration during this time:

1. “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” 
2.  “Old ways won’t open new doors.”
3.  “A little progress every day adds up to big results.”
4. “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.”
5. “Work for it more than you hope for it.”
6. “Get into the habit of asking yourself, ‘Does this support the lifestyle I’m trying to create?’”
7. “Surround yourself with people who push you to be your best self.”
8. “It’s a slow process, but quitting won’t speed it up.”
9. “Discipline is doing what needs to be done even when you don’t want to do it.”
10. “The distance between your dreams and reality is called action.”
11. “Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want.”
12. “Visualize your highest self and start showing up as her.”
13. “If you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.”
14. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
15. “Don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of every step you take towards reaching that goal.”
16. “You will never always be motivated, so you must learn to be disciplined.”
17. “Act like the person you want to become.”
18.  “Where you are a year from now is a reflection of the choices you choose to make right now.”
19. “One day you will thank yourself for never giving up.”
20.  “You have to fight through some bad days to earn the best days of your life.”
21. “When you focus on the good, the good gets better.”
22. “Keep going, because you did not come this far only to just come this far.”
23. “The struggle is part of the journey. Everyone goes through it. Keep going and don’t give up.”
24. “When you feel like quitting, think about why you started.”
25. “The key to success is to focus on goals, not obstacles.”
26. “Everyday you have a choice – stay the same or change.”
27. “Push yourself because no one else is going to do it for you.”
28. “Every next level of your life will demand a different version of you.”
29. “Good things come to people who wait, but better things come to those who go out and get them.” –Anonymous
30. “If you do what you always did, you will get what you always got.” –Anonymous
31. “Just keep going. Be patient. Results take time, but if you’re consistent they will come.”
32. “When you’re ready to give up, you’re halfway there.”
33. “Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.”

Bible Quotes About Paying Debts

The Bible actually has plenty to say about money and paying off debts. There are many verses that speak on the subject and encourage people to avoid debt.

Here are some biblical quotes about debt that might help you:

1. “If you are too lazy to plow, do not expect a harvest.” –Proverbs 20:4
2. “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” – Proverbs 22:7
3. “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” – Psalm 37:21
4. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” – Romans 13:8
5. “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” – Romans 13:7
6. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” – Luke 14:28
7. “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.” – Luke 6:30
8. “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” – Proverbs 13:11
9. “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12
10. “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” – Proverbs 3:27

Dave Ramsey Quotes About Debt & Money

Dave Ramsey is the number one personal finance guru that helps people get out of debt. He has inspired and encouraged many people to follow the financial peace roadmap out of debt.

Here are some of Dave Ramsey’s most famous quotes about debt:

1. “There are no shortcuts when it comes to getting out of debt.”– Dave Ramsey
2. “The decision to go into debt alters the course condition of your life. You no longer own it. You are owned.” – Dave Ramsey
3. “Nothing happens without focus. Don’t try to do everything at once. Take it one step at a time.” –Dave Ramsey
4. “Earning a lot of money is not the key to prosperity. How you handle it is.” –Dave Ramsey
5. “Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses. They’re broke.” –Dave Ramsey
6. “If you live like no one else, later you can live and give like no one else.” – Dave Ramsey
7. ” Your children are watching you, and they’ll learn how to handle money like you do it. More is caught than taught.” – Dave Ramsey
8. “You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you.” – Dave Ramsey
9.  “You can’t be in debt and win. It doesn’t work.” – Dave Ramsey
10. “You can’t get out of debt while keeping the same lifestyle that got you there.” – Dave Ramsey
11. “Where debt is dumb, cash is king, and the paid-off home mortgage has taken the place of the BMW as the status symbol of choice.” – Dave Ramsey

Want more Dave Ramsey debt payoff inspiration? Check out these posts:

• What Are Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps?
• Dave Ramsey Budget Percentages
• 20 Things Rich People Do Daily

Financial Bundle: Budgeting, Savings, Debt Payoff

This financial planner bundle is a grouping of everything you need to plan your budget, grow your savings, and achieve your debt payoff. It is perfect for anyone who wants an all-in-one solution to get started and get organized!

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Is It Possible To Live Debt Free?

In a society so entrenched in using debt, is it even possible to live without debt?

Luckily it is! There are many examples of people who live debt free lives. They carry no debt at all and even fewer worries since their monthly expenses are not weighed down by payments.

Getting out of debt is difficult. It can take years (it took me two years to pay off $43,000). But with consistency and discipline it is possible.

Want to start your own journey toward living a debt free life?

Start out with these steps:

• create a debt payoff plan
• evaluate your financial goals
• make and follow a budget
• build an emergency fund to prevent more debt
• use sinking funds for large purchases

Paying Off Your Debt

Hopefully these quotes about debt inspire you to get rid of the debt in your life. Start out by eliminating high interest debt and then evaluate your plan from there.

Maybe you want to start a mortgage payoff journey and live completely debt free – it’s what we aim to do personally!

Need help paying off your debt? Not sure where to start?

Check out these debt payoff posts:

• 10 Tips To Pay Off Debt
• 10 Best Reasons To Get Out Of Debt
• How To Set Up A Debt Snowball

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When I first started budgeting, I followed the Dave Ramsey approach. Years later I still think the Dave Ramsey budget percentages and debt payoff advice is worth using.

If you’re new to budgeting and feel overwhelmed, consider starting with a plan like Dave Ramsey’s.

There are many personal finance and budgeting opinions out there but at the very least you know Dave Ramsey’s budget advice is proven to work.

Using a guide like Dave Ramsey’s recommended percentages for each budget category allows you to find a starting place and then you can perfect your budget from there.

Dave Ramsey Budget Percentages Quick Guide

Let’s quickly look at what he suggest for budgeting to help people manage their budgets.

Here are the categories and percentages Dave Ramsey recommends:

1. Giving (10%)
2. Saving (10%)
3. Food (10% – 15%)
4. Utilities (5% – 10%)
5. Housing (25%)
6. Transportation (10%)
7. Health (5% – 10%)
8. Insurance (10% – 25%)
9. Recreation (5% – 10%)
10. Personal Spending (5% – 10%)
11. Miscellaneous (5-10%)

This quick guide to the budget percentages for each category helps new budgeters answer common questions like:

• “How much should I spend on food?”
• “What amount should I be saving monthly?”
• “How can I fit debt repayment into my budget?”
• “What is too much for a rent payment?”

Having a guide for budgeting out your salary will help you feel less overwhelmed and more in control when answering these common budget questions.

Related budgeting posts:

• What Is The Purpose Of A Budget?
• Budget Categories List
• Budgeting Tips For Beginners
• Monthly Budget Planner

Who Is Dave Ramsey?

Dave Ramsey, or Uncle Dave as his superfans call him, is a personal finance guru that grew a small radio show into a financial empire. He shares common sense financial advice that helps people get out of debt and budget better.

But Dave wasn’t always good with money. He actually filed bankruptcy in 1988. Dave started building a real estate empire at age 18 just to have it all crash down around him years later. He had to start over again and rebuild his foundation financially.

Because of Dave Ramsey’s experience going broke he sticks with conservative and common sense money advice. He knows what it’s like to recover from a financial setback and his show’s ability to give both practical advice and hope has made him incredibly popular.

The Dave Ramsey budget percentages, debt payoff plans, and general financial tips have helped hundreds of thousands of people improve their lives. His 7 Baby Steps for financial peace have turned many lives around positively.

Dave Ramsey Budget Percentages Explained

Let’s look at all of Dave Ramsey’s budget percentages in depth and evaluate how you can apply this method to your budget.

Following this system of budget percentages is easy but it will take you a while to figure out the adjustments right for YOUR budget. No two budgets will be the same and while percentages can help you get started you will need to tailor it to fit your lifestyle.

As a reminder, here are the categories and percentages Dave Ramsey recommends:

1. Giving (10%)
2. Saving (10%)
3. Food (10% – 15%)
4. Utilities (5% – 10%)
5. Housing (25%)
6. Transportation (10%)
7. Health (5% – 10%)
8. Insurance (10% – 25%)
9. Recreation (5% – 10%)
10. Personal Spending (5% – 10%)
11. Miscellaneous (5-10%)

You’ll notice that some of these are a range and that’s because Dave knows you’ll need to adjust depending on your circumstances.

Let’s look at each category more in depth.

Giving (10%)

Dave Ramsey is an evangelical Christian and part of his lifestyle includes tithing 10% to his local church. This is the foundation of his giving category but you don’t have to be religious to include giving in your budget.

In fact, if you are in a position to give back to others then you should do so. Giving creates gratitude, contentment, and appreciation of money in your life.

There are many ways you can give money:

• give to your favorite local charity
• hand out money via tips and donations
• help out family or friends with specific needs
• donate to mutual aid funds
• give to your local church

However you decide to include giving in your budget you will find it provides much in return. Dave Ramsey’s budget percentage for giving is 10% but you can always start smaller and increase the number as you go.

Saving (10%)

Saving money is incredibly important and Dave Ramsey recommends you save 10% of your income each month.

Savings can be allocated for a number of things:

• saving for a 3-6 month emergency fund
• money for long term goals
• money for shorter term goals
• savings for future expenses like cars and college

Saving money is a key element of personal finance and one that Dave Ramsey agrees with. However, he recommends paying off your debt before saving large amounts of money.

To stay in line with full Dave Ramsey financial plan you would save a starter emergency fund of $1,000 and then pay off all your debts with a debt snowball, and then start saving money for other things.

Food (10% – 15%)

Food is expensive and costs more every year. And if you spend for convenience? It’s even more costly to your budget.

For food spending the Dave Ramsey monthly budget percentage is 10-15% of your income. So if you make $5,000 per month then your food budget should be $500-$750 per month. This includes groceries and food in restaurants too.

Depending on the size of your family and your habits this amount can seem low. Unfortunately many of us spend too much in the food category and this is why the percentage seems so low. To help with this you can do things like meal planning, buying in bulk, or starting a garden.

Here are a few ideas to help you stick with the lower grocery budget:

• How To Grocery Shop On A Budget
• How To Save Money On Food
• 13 Tips To Save Money Eating At Restaurants

Utilities (5% – 10%)

Your utilities should only take up 5-10% of your budget according to Dave Ramsey.

This category includes:

• gas bill
• electricity bill
• heating bill
• water bill
• garbage bill

In some places all of these bills are separate and in some cities they are all combined. I only have one bill for all of these items for example.

Some people like to expand this utilities category to also include things like their internet and phone bills. Adding these bills while keeping it to the 5% to 10% goal can help you reduce costs as needed.

Housing 25%

Dave Ramsey gets a lot of pushback but he suggests you should only use 25% of your income for housing.

This percentage applies whether you buy a home or are renting. If you make $5,000 per month then you should only spend max $1,250 per month on housing.

In most markets $1,250 won’t get you much. This is one of the reasons why people argue with this Dave Ramsey budget percentage: it’s just too low in many places. But Dave suggests that going higher than 25% on housing will leave you struggling financially in other areas.

Dave Ramsey has a lot of opinions about home ownership. He wants you to buy a home, put 20% down, keep the payment to 25% of your income, and pay off the home early.

Transportation (10%)

Transportation varies widely depending on where you live but Dave says you should not spend more than 10% on it per month.

Your transportation budget can include:

• car payment
• gas for your car
• public transportation fees
• uber or lift rides
• toll passes

There are lots of things that can fall under the category of transportation. This will really depend on where you live and how you get around. Maybe you have a car or maybe you don’t. Maybe you have access to public transport or maybe you don’t. Your budget will be very specific to your needs here.

Health (5% – 10%)

Many people say your health is your wealth. If you aren’t healthy then you will need money to help take care of yourself.

The health budget category can cover things like doctor’s visits and dental care. This doesn’t have to be spent each month and instead could be done as a sinking fund for when you need to use it.

This category doesn’t include health insurance since that is in a different category. This just includes what you will be paying as you go. If you have kids plan to be at the higher percentage number!

Insurance (10% – 25%)

Unfortunately in the US especially, insurance is a necessary evil. It’s boring, expensive, and often feels like a scam but it’s still important.

No one wants to spend money on insurance but in many cases you need it. Here are some of the insurance types you might need:

• health insurance
• disability insurance
• car insurance
• life insurance

Dave Ramsey suggest you spend between 10-25% of your income monthly on these various insurances.

It might be tempting to skip paying for insurance but it’s important to have when you need it.

Recreation (5% – 10%)

Recreation or lifestyle spending should fit within 5-10% of your budget according the the Dave Ramsey system.

You can do anything, from weekly classes to expensive gym memberships to attending concerts, as long as it fits within this budget percentage.

You probably don’t want to always check with your budget or run a Dave Ramsey budget percentages calculator just to see if you can spend time with friends. I get it. That sounds terrible! But staying with in the 5-10% range for recreational fun spending will make your life easier in other areas.

Basically, have fun but do it responsibly!

Personal Spending (5% – 10%)

Personal spending is a necessary part of any budget. My husband and I struggled to budget properly until we allowed ourselves personal spending money we could use on anything.

Personal spending is money set aside to spend on anything you want.

Maybe you like to buy random stuff on Amazon or seasonal home decor. Maybe you like to get facials or have your nails done weekly. Whatever it is, just make sure it fits within the personal spending budget category.

Miscellaneous (5%)

Having a miscellaneous category can cover expenses that aren’t expected during your budget time frame. This can be things that pop up that you want to cash flow instead of dipping into your emergency fund.

The miscellaneous spending category can be tailored to better fit your individual life. The longer you’re budgeting the more comfortable you’ll be knowing what expenses can be put here versus planned for in other categories.

What About Debt Payments?

This suggested budget from Dave Ramsey assumes you are already debt free.

If you’re not debt free? Then this budget should be slashed as much as possible until you are. The Dave Ramsey style of debt payoff is very intense and suggest you should cut out all fun spending until you are debt free.

If you are in debt you could cut out (or cut down) the spending in categories like recreation, personal spending, and miscellaneous to spend that money on debt payments instead.

Paying back debt is a huge component of Dave Ramsey’s famous baby steps. If you are currently in debt you’ll work hard to eliminate it on his plan.

Need some helpful ideas for paying off your debt? I’ve got you covered here:

• Tips For Paying Off Student Loans
• How Student Loan Refinancing Works
• 10 Best Reasons To Get Out Of Debt

Dave Ramsey Budgeting In Real Life

Even Dave Ramsey tells you that these budget percentages are just a guideline.

You have to sit down and make a new budget every month to give your money a place to go. You will adjust certain budget categories up and down depending on the situation that month.

Real life situations can sometimes cause your budget to not match these percentages.

For example: rent. Are the Dave Ramsey percentages realistic when it comes to rent or mortgage payments? Not always. Depending on the area where you live it might be impossible to stay under 25% of your income on housing.

In those situations you just have to accept that it’s not realistic and adjust to fit your life the best you can.

Why Use Budget Percentages?

Budgeting by percentages of your income makes things easy for many people. It’s a quick way to give yourself guidelines for spending and saving.

Budget percentages allow you to allocate that percentage of your income to a specific purpose.

It gives every dollar a purpose. It also scales with income so if you start making more money you are able to adjust your spending easily without going crazy.

Other Budget Percentage Plans: 50/30/20 Budgeting

My other favorite way to budget your money with percentages is to do 50/30/20 budgeting.

The 50/30/20 budget divides your income into three categories:

• 50% of income on needs and essential expenses
• 30% on wants
• 20% on savings, debt payoff, and investments

It is an easy budgeting rule that helps you manage your after tax income in a way that covers all you need. You’re spending money on things you need, taking care of your future, and still having fun.

Senator Elizabeth Warren outlines this budgeting method in her book All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan. It’s a more simplified plan than the similar to dave ramsey income percentages breakdown, but both aim to have you saving and spending responsibly.

The 50/30/20 budget rule is actually one of the best and easiest ways to implement personal finance basics into your life.

What Else Does Dave Ramsey Recommend?

We’ve covered the budget percentages Dave Ramsey suggests, but what else does he recommend for budgeting? If you’ve watched his show for years like I have then you know he is a fan of the following.

Cash Envelope System

Dave Ramsey suggests cash spending. The cash only system forces many people to confront overspending and impulse purchases that wreck budgets. Dave recommends using cash and never using credit cards.

Dave’s daughter Rachel even has a cash envelope system wallet you can purchase. you can use actual envelopes of get a cute cash envelope binder with detailed envelopes.

With the cash envelope system you put the amount you’ve budgeted for a category in an envelope. When you spend that amount and an envelope is empty then you can’t spend any more.

Physically using cash forces you to pay attention to your spending and stick to your budget percentages. It also makes it harder to spend.

Sinking Funds

Dave Ramsey loves sinking funds and putting away money until you can pay for something.

Sinking funds are usually savings accounts that you set up where you put money aside each paycheck to save up for a specific purpose.

You can save up money for things like yearly expenses or large car maintenance. It’s a handy budgeting tool that helps you avoid using credit cards or falling into debt when big expenses occur.

If you’re new to sinking funds, check out these articles:

• Sinking Funds For Beginners
• Sinking Fund Category Ideas
• How To Set Up Sinking Funds To Hit Savings Goals

Zero-Based Budgeting

Another thing Dave Ramsey recommends is zero based budgeting. He even created the app Every Dollar to help people create zero based budgets.

Zero based budgeting is where you give every dollar a job.

You allocate every dollar to expenses, savings, debt, or whatever you need that month. Your income minus your planned expenses should total out to zero at the end. This method of budgeting combines the Dave Ramsey budget percentages with a practical application of totaling out to zero with your budget plan.

If you’re new to budgeting this can be a really help way to set up your first budgets. Giving every dollar a job allows you to follow a close plan and not allow any money to disappear.

Need a little help setting up your budget? Check out my budget planner for an easy to use system for writing out your budget by hand (very helpful when you are new).

Monthly Budget Planner

This monthly budget printable is a grouping of everything you need to plan and track your monthly budget. These monthly budget worksheets are designed to help you keep your budget on track by writing it down each month and tracking where your money goes.

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Getting Started

We’re at the end and you’ve learned about the Dave Ramsey budget percentages along with some practical applications.

Are you ready to get started? Can you implement budget percentages into your life?

Remember that you don’t have to be perfect. Your budget is going to be a mess, especially in the beginning. You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to get started!

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Money is obviously the most important thing to consider when accepting a new job off. But what else matters? After changing jobs many times I’ve learned these are the 7 things to consider besides salary when accepting a job offer.

Things To Consider Besides Salary

Here are the things to consider with a job offer beyond just salary!

Growth Potential 

While sometimes a salary might seem low, the job may offer amazing growth potential.

If you see a clear path of advancement then this might be a job to consider. Even just the ability to grow as an individual with great mentorship might be worth accepting the job.

Money isn’t everything and growing your career can have huge financial benefits as time goes on.

Job Duties 

Sure you’ve read the job description. Dig deeper in the interview by asking questions about your day to day duties and you might find some surprising nuggets of information.

Consider whether your job duties will be interesting or challenging to you. You might not want to take a job where you will be bored and unfulfilled.

Commute 

Commuting a long distance can add money from your budget and lower your quality of life. A long commute can make a good job a miserable one.

If you are looking at a job offer from a company that is too far away from your home, then you have to consider whether the job is worth it. Maybe it’s worth moving closer after a time. Or maybe it’s a better idea to find a job that is closer to where you live now.

Personally commute is a big deal for me and I never have a commute more than 15 minutes.

Company Policies 

Does this company handle it’s day to day business in a way that aligns with your values? Look at things like the dress code, vacation policy. Are these and other policies something you can live with over time?

Ask lots of questions before accepting the job offer to find out if there are any policies that exist that will make it hard for you to be employed there.

Coworkers 

Were the people you met during the interview people you’d like to be around for extended periods? Were they professional? Polite? While everyone is on their best behavior during interviews, it’s still a great time to size up your future boss and coworkers. Evaluate whether or not they are people you would enjoy working with.

You can ask during the interview why a position is open to see if it was because of personality conflicts or ask to meet people you’d be working with in order to make a decision before accepting an offer.

Management Style 

Many people don’t consider management style when accepting a job offer but it will make a huge difference in how much you love your new job or how much you hate it.

You boss has a huge effect on your well-being at work so try to find out as much about them before accepting your job offer. Will you end up hating them? Having a bad boss is a common reason people quit their job.

Their management style and style of interacting with you will greatly determine your job satisfaction so consider this before saying yes to any job.

Your Financial Situation 

How is your savings account? Is it fully stocked? If you are sensing signs a job might not be all it’s talked up to be during the interview process then you might want to consider passing on the offer.

If you have a fully funded emergency fund or side income then this decision becomes easier to handle. You might also get into the job and realize it’s not what you expected so having a backup plan and full savings account makes it easier to rectify a mistake or find something else.

Accepting A Job Offer

Basically, try to learn as much as possible about you can about the job you will be taking.

You don’t want to end up frustrated or burned out at the new job. Finding the right position with an inspiring leader will make a huge difference in your life.

Those are just a few of the things beyond a salary to consider when deciding whether or not to accept a job offer. These things might not be immediate in your mind but they will greatly contribute to your satisfaction in life over time.

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I drastically cut back my spending when I was paying off debt. I realized I had to cut back to make any major progress on my financial goals. Because I still wanted a social life that just meant I needed to find cheap ways to have fun.

The biggest hurdle I had to overcome was how to entertain myself on the cheap. In the past I’ve spent $100+ on a night out with dinner, drinking, and other activities that cost a lot of money. I’d also go shopping for fun when I didn’t have anything else to do for a couple hours.

Now I spend most of my time doing very frugal or cheap activities. I also invest in items that will be fun for years and cost very little in the long term. It turns out that there are plenty of ways to have a lot of fun without spending a lot of money.

Cheap Ways To Have Fun

Here are some examples of frugal entertainment options that I use and you might want to try! These are all frugal or cheap ways to have fun while saving money.

Go for a hike. 

Nature is amazing and free. Even if you aren’t in a mountainous area you probably have a park with at least rolling hills (we do and I live in a flat area!).

Not sure where to hike? You can google “places to hike near me” or check out AllTrails.com that shares all the hiking trails with lots of details.

Go enjoy nature for a few hours and get exercise. 

Bring a friend or your dog for company. Run, walk, skip, bike. Just move your body outside! Being in nature is also a great self care idea since nature can be soothing.

There are also free exercise classes held outside in many areas. Check with your local city guide or follow a lot of the gyms and parks in your area on social media to get notifications.

Go to the library. 

A library card is so useful for frugal fun! You can check out books, DVDs, music, etc. A good book can keep you entertained for hours at no cost.

Most libraries also now let you rent books digitally through apps like Libby. A library card gives you access to both digital and physical books.

Host a tea party. 

While hosting a party usually requires big expenses, hosting an impromptu tea party can be fun and frugal.

Bake a treat from scratch and offer up tea to all your guests for a fun part for less than $10. This is a cheap way to eat and enjoy time together but still feel like it’s a bit special. It works really well with kids too!

Explore thrift stores. 

Not only can thrift stores be a great source of secondhand deals, they can also be incredibly fun and entertaining. Visit several in your area and discover the weirdest item for sale you can find.

Buying furniture at thrift stores is also a great way to recreate furniture you love on the cheap. It’s also a great source of items if you want to start a reselling side hustle.

Visit a park. 

You probably live near a park and don’t utilize it. Visit your local park and take advantage of what is there.

Parks around here offer playgrounds, fitness equipment, sports fields, and more. There is always something free and fun to do there.

Pretend you’re on “Chopped” for dinner. 

Chopped forces contestants to cook with random non-matching ingredients, but you can do this yourself at home!

Give yourself a pantry challenge for dinner and see what you can make with wacky ingredients. It’s fun, challenging, and helps you prevent food from going to waste.

Host a game night. 

Game nights with friends are super fun and cheap. Have everyone bring their favorite game and make it BYOB so everyone can enjoy what they want to drink or eat.

This is one of my favorite cheap ways to have fun with friends. Game nights can be a huge crowd pleaser!

Take part in community events. 

Most local community events are free or very cheap to start with. Check your local newspaper or neighborhood groups online to find community activities you can participate in on the cheap.

You can usually find parties, performances, speakers and more. Many events just want people to attend since they are already paid for by sponsors or other sources.

Be a volunteer. 

Volunteering at shows or sporting events often lets you watch for free or gives you a chance to view at another time in exchange for your labor.

Volunteering is usually a win win for everyone and a great frugal way to spend your time.

Host a potluck. 

Similar to the game night, host a dinner where everyone you invite brings a dish. It’s a low cost way to have a really fun evening and delicious dinner.

If you want to keep it even cheaper you can plan to make low cost dishes like pasta.

Volunteer at events. 

You can get into a lot of events and festivals for free just by offering to volunteer for a few hours.

After a few hours of work you can then enjoy the festivities. This works pretty well at festivals or conferences.

Go to museum free days. 

The museums in most major cities have free days or free hours where locals can come in for free.

Most museums off low or no cost admission days, especially to local residents. Find out when admission is reduced and plan a visit to the museum without breaking the bank.

These are a frugal way to experience the culture and history in your city. Museums are one of the cheap ways to have fun in many major metropolitan cities.

Go to free concerts. 

If you live in a city with any type of music scene, then there will often be free concerts happening.

My city has a free summer concert series and there are lots of other free concerts throughout the year.

Take a free course. 

Thanks to the internet there are now free courses on hundreds of topics available online. Pick something you’re interested in and sign up to learn more!

Not sure where to find a free course? Start on YouTube by searching “free course on (topic)”. There will be several video course options on most topics!

Watch free things online. 

Between free shows and a million things to watch on YouTube, you can be entertained for free for days if you simply plug in and search for things to watch online.

Visit the zoo on free day. 

Zoos usually have a free day or afternoon for locals. Sometimes this is just a few hours long but it’s plenty of time to stop by for free and have some fun!

Our local zoo is super fun to visit on the free afternoon each week. In fact, it is a family tradition and one of the cheap ways we spend time together.

Learn a TikTok dance.

Even if you never plan to share the video, TikTok is great for creating dances most people can do.

Pick a fun dance to a song you enjoy and spend some time learning the dance. You can do it for yourself or to share but either way it’s a cheap and fun way to spend time.

Not sold on the style of TikTok dances? Look up some choreography on YouTube or a dance class instead!

Try a dollar store craft. 

Visit your local Dollar Tree and challenge yourself to making a pretty craft for less than $5 for all the supplies you need.

Get creative with supplies from the dollar store and what you already have or can find for free. You can search Pinterest for a ton of frugal dollar store craft ideas.

Take a free tour. 

Touring local businesses nearby is a frugal option for family entertainment. Many places charge nothing for entry and a tour while others charge a nominal amount.

I’ve enjoyed touring places that make things like dairy products and manufactured items.

Plan your next shopping spree without spending. 

Instead of impulsively buying items, do a little window shopping and pre-planning to find out how you can get what you want at the absolute best price.

Check out when there might be a sale next and see if Rakuten is offering cash back.

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Find things to do without money. 

There are literally hundreds of things you can do without spending money. Here are 50 things to do without spending money to get you started.

Those are just a few of the super frugal ways I like to entertain myself around my city. It turns out there is a lot you can do that is active, social, and fun without spending a lot of money. Sure it’s nice to spend a ton on a night out now and again, but it’s totally not necessary to have a fun time!

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I’m blessed to have many hardworking, intelligent friends and family who make more money than I do.

All of my friends went to school for longer than I did and many have graduate degrees. They have all made great career choices which are now paying off. My best friend makes 3 times what I normally do and another friend makes multiples of that higher number. My family also makes more money than I do.

This can be both a blessing and a curse. Having friends that make more money than I do can be inspiring and I like to surround myself with people that are of a high caliber to raise my own. It can also be a curse since it sometimes encourages envy over the things my friends are able to do that I can’t.

So what do you do when your friends make more money than you? How do you cope? Let’s look at some solutions.

Why Does Income Between Friends Matter?

In a perfect world money and friendship would have nothing to do with each other. The bond of friendship would not be affected by how much money you have or make.

Yet in the real world these things do affect friendship. Money and social interactions are constantly interacting and affecting each other and this can sometimes cause discomfort within relationships or internally.

The most common situation where money can affect friendships is in socializing.

If you have less money than your friends you might find yourself struggling to keep up with the social calendar set by those with money disposable income.

Originally I found this to be true but I’ve done the work needed to feel better about living with less but still keeping my amazing friends.

What Is Financial Resentment?

Unfortunately, sometimes friends making different income levels can lead to financial resentment.

In her book, End Financial Stress Now, Emily Guy Birken says that financial resentment can cause problems in friendships and turn us off money entirely.

“Financial resentment is a corrosive emotion, which leads to two types of self-defeating behavior: abandoning financial goals, and trying to get even,” Birken told us.

Neither of these reactions to financial resentment are healthy or good. When you give up on your own financial goals you lose and when you try to get even you lose friendships. Resentment over financial issues can lead to significant struggles in your life.

Learning to let go of financial resentment over money is the only way to have healthy relationships with friends who make more money than you do.

What To Do When Your Friends Make More Money Than You

These are the things I’ve done personally to handle my friends making more money than I do.

Be honest about the situation. 

Today my friend asked me to go to lunch but my budget just doesn’t have room for another lunch. I told her as much and we arranged for hanging out later without buying a meal.

Talking about money can be uncomfortable but true friends will understand that you have a budget and want to stick to it. They might even admire your budgeting skills that they might not have.

It can eliminate resentment on both sides when you are upfront about the situation so you can work around it.

Pick inexpensive social activities. 

Spending time together is the main goal so choose activities that don’t cost a dime.

Arrange to go hiking on a beautiful day or get together for a pickup game at the local park.

There are lots of activities you can do together, especially outside, that can be done for free. Here are lots of ways to have fun without spending money!

Plan a frugal event. 

There are lots of frugal ways to enjoy a weekend or spend time with your friends.

Arrange for a potluck where everyone can show off their culinary skills or create a book club that meets weekly or monthly to discuss great books.

Planning frugal events you can invite friends to will fill up your social calendar and take less pressure off you to spend money spending time together.

Don’t overextend yourself. 

Spending more money than you have to keep up with your friends who earn more is a terrible idea.

It will lead to debt and an even worse financial situation than you started with.

Learn to say no and live within your means rather than taking on debt to live a lifestyle you can’t afford.

Make a budget for yourself that includes spending on friends within a limit and then stick to that limit. Have a budget planned out will allow you to say yes or no depending on your financial situation.

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Be happy with what you have. 

Looking through Facebook and feeling jealous over your friend’s vacations or homes is an exercise in futility. It’s easy to always find someone that has more than you do.

Instead you should practice being grateful for what you have.

Do you have a home? A car? Clothes? You probably have more than you ever need to be content so it’s helpful to look at all the things you have and practice being grateful for them.

Work on yourself internally. 

The main problems that arise from friends making more money than you is the negative internal emotions. Things like jealousy, envy, and bitterness can be a toxic poison in your friendship and in your own mind.

Take time to work through feelings like this and eliminate them. Your friendship is worth enough to work on how you perceive the situation in your mind.

Work on your financial situation. 

Improving your own finances can lead to you feeling more confident about money, even if you make less of it.

When you are more secure in your financial footing you’ll be able to work on growing your income or starting a side hustle.

Not sure how to make more money? Try some of these money making ideas:

• Make Money On YouTube Without Showing Your Face
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Be happy for your friends. 

Being truly happy for your friends and their successful careers will help the situation.

When you are sincerely happy for your friends making a lot of money you are less likely to struggle with envy or notice the difference in income.

If you find yourself turning to jealousy more than happiness, try writing down reasons why you are happy for your friends and reasons why they deserve their success.

Finding The Balance

It’s not always fun to implement these things with friends and family when you make less money than your friends.

It’s much more fun to just earn more money and do better in life!

Over time you will be more comfortable using these techniques. You’ll also likely start improving your financial situation and earning more money.

You might never make as much as some friends. That doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to spend time with them. It just means you have to be creative and thoughtful about your approach to the friendship!

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