Magic to save you money (and gain you a few other things besides).

By on March 24, 2009 in Uncategorized

Here is some magic to save you money (and gain you a few other things besides).

Pick a day, any day.
 

On that day, at the first opportunity, notice, become aware of and begin to recognise when you are about to enact a choice, decision or action relating to the  practical, everyday, even domestic context.

 
Pause.

Consider and reflect on your intended actions and choices.
 

Out of the available and acceptable options (morally and physically tenable, fundamentally ‘viable’, etc), identify and choose the route and outcomes which are least costly in terms of monetary value, consumption of resources, depletion of psyche, displacement of material and so on.

 
Now – act on and make real what you have mulled over.
 
Your actions may be as simple as only using as much toothpaste and water (hot or cold) as is effective for your ablutions – which will save you money and create a better legacy for you and others. You may decide to walk, use public transport, the phone, instant messenger or web-camera in relation to meetings and appointments – as opposed to driving by private car or flying; you may of course also be able to forgo such encounters altogether and use your time in an altogether different way but which will still ensure your carbon footprints and not your wallet will be appreciably lighter.

 You may decide to make do with what is in your ‘larder’ and improvise a tasty meal without having to venture out and buy something more. Try and use only as many saucepans and as much crockery and cutlery as you can get away with – and keep the lids on when you’re cooking: all these actions will save you energy bills. You might decide to substitute, say, an apple for a more (more expensive) candy bar when you are debating what snack to buy. You might decide to print double-sided if you really must have hard copy (thereby halving your paper costs). You might unplug appliances which are on standby or just idling (yes; more money for you to use in other ways).

From the time that you start your chosen ‘magic’ day until you complete it you are going to try your utmost to gently guide yourself in in accordance with what has been outlined above, which is a simple sequence involving a mixture of ‘actions’ which you will hopefully adopt and then adapt into your life, much as one acquires a good habit.

Over the course of the day you will have made choices that will save you money and energy and will be restorative of your moral, physical and emotional well-being. It will also create capital for civil society at large – and the planet. You will find the benefits of applying this ‘magical strategy’ will broaden and deepen as you modify and find wider applications for it.

About aladin

aladin is a writer, facilitator, strategy consultant and magician. He practises outside conventional categories and definitions: Facilitating, moderating and consulting in regard to strategic thinking and planning, organisational development and civic engagement; curating and creating interdisciplinary culture.

aladin's signature approach is to engage with organisations, communities and individuals in ways which influence them to explore and transcend the existing constraints, cultures and practices that stand in the way of developing and implementing effective, viable, sustainable processes which contribute to society more widely. He is currently Editor Emeritus of Bdnews24 the Bangladeshi news portal.



http://www.aladin.me

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2 Responses to Magic to save you money (and gain you a few other things besides).

  1. sophiejulien March 24, 2009 at 12:52 pm #

    I love the magic spin on it. I have definitely been practicing more mindful spending lately…thanks for this

  2. enimrac March 24, 2009 at 2:07 pm #

    nice article. and nice profile pic. :-]

    k.m.