I recently participated in a workshop focused on developing a financial literacy curriculum for women. My team was tasked with creating an outline specifically for the module on saving money. One of the big concepts discussed was learning ‘want vs. need’.

Want vs need. Is it a hell yes?

Is there a difference between budgeting money and time?? I would argue that in a similar way that we handle money, we spend our time. 

If your want is to have the money to buy a house, then your needs become specific around saving and investing. 

If what you want is to become healthier and more fit, then your needs become specific around how you invest your time and commitments, and arguably, your money.

Here’s something to consider – How often have you spent $5 or less in the past week? What did you spend it on? Is that something you could go without and, instead, save – no matter how small? 

Similarly, how often in the past week have you squandered 10 minutes? What if you took a look at your schedule (your time budget) and could identify where you can fit in exercise – in 10 minute blocks. That’s literally all you need to start moving towards your ultimate goal of being more fit. Just like putting away $5 or less instead of spending it will, over time, afford you your savings.

Margot at Savers

When I took my daughter to Savers for the first time, she couldn’t believe how cheap everything was. She had a blast and loaded her cart and then I told her we needed to find a corner and decide what from her cart was a ‘hell yes’. If it’s not a ‘hell yes’, it’s a no. 

To help her take the emotion out of it, we went through my things first. She had no problem at all deciding if my choices were a no. lol. So when we went through her picks, she was in the groove of it and learned first hand that just because a cute shirt was only $4, it didn’t mean she should buy it… unless of course it was a ‘hell yes’. Her shopping spree turned out to be a modest 5 items and she had plenty of money left over.

There’s power in small, consistent actions. Tracking seemingly insignificant expenses (like $5 purchases) or wasted time (like 10-minute increments) can reveal opportunities for saving and reallocating resources towards long-term goals. It’s not just about the individual amounts; it’s about the cumulative effect and the commitment to making progress.

Reflection

• How often do I spend $5 or less in a week? Could I save that money instead?
• How often do I waste 10 minutes in a week? Could I use that time to exercise?
• Am I aligning my time and money to achieve my ‘hell yes’ goals?

By reflecting on these questions and implementing small changes, you can make significant strides toward your financial and personal well-being.

If you don’t believe me that 10 minutes of exercise is worth it, sign up for the 12 Days of Christmas Workout Playlist for a daily 10 minute workout that’s sure to help you wrap up the year with a strong and positive mindset. 

What makes this offer even better? It won’t cost you a cent.

xoLara