Are you feeling the annual financial pinch after the holidays and wondering if you’ll ever experience January without it? You might be tempted to cease all spending and set severe restrictions on your enjoyment for the next few months.
But before you do that, consider a mindset shift. Rather than following a path of scarcity and deprivation, try embracing these ideas for living well while spending less.
Abundance is often equated with material wealth. Yet true abundance isn’t about how much you spend but how much joy, contentment, and meaning you derive from life. With a few simple shifts in mindset and habits, you can live abundantly while spending less.
We put together this 2-part series on how to Live Well while Spending Less.
Click here to read Part 1 if you haven’t yet.
Read on for Part 2:
7. Use What You Already Have
Have you made previous purchases that you then didn’t use or take advantage of? This principle can apply to books that you haven’t read, online courses that you haven’t finished, and even grocery items that you intended to use but are slowly ticking toward their expiration date in your pantry. Like that bread flour you bought when you had the idea to bake your own bread. Or how about that guitar you’ve been planning to learn how to play? Or those craft supplies you collected with creative intentions.
Look around your house and see all the abundance that’s already there for you.
8. Build Meaningful Relationships
True wealth lies in connection with others. Invest time in nurturing friendships and family bonds. Shared laughter, support, and love contribute significantly to a fulfilling life.
Invite some friends for coffee at your place, or host a happy hour where everyone brings an appetizer. Call a family member once a week, or check on a neighbor who lives alone. Make it a habit to do a small kindness for your spouse each week.
In relationship-building, small actions go a long way in boosting that feeling of abundance.
9. Grow Your Own Food
Starting a small garden, even with just a few pots of herbs or vegetables, can save money and provide fresh, healthy produce. Gardening also connects you with nature, which boosts mental well-being. The act of nurturing something to life is the very essence of abundance. Harvesting and preparing dishes with something you grew yourself is sure to make you feel bountiful.
10. Educate Yourself About Financial Wellness
Abundance is easier to achieve when your finances are in order. Learn to budget, save, and invest wisely. Tools like apps and workshops can help you gain confidence and control over your financial future.
When you’re feeling financially strapped, it’s sometimes tempting to ignore the situation. But in truth, getting a clear picture of your current assets and debt is a liberating act. Once you know where you are and where you want to be, outlining the steps becomes so much easier.
11. Discover An Inexpensive Hobby
While some hobbies come with relatively high costs (looking at you, golf 😆), others can be started without a huge investment.
Some inexpensive hobby ideas are hiking, biking (if you already own a bike), baking and knitting, many of which have social clubs where you can enjoy the hobby with other enthusiasts if you’re so inclined.
If your heart is set on a more expensive hobby, even then there are creative ways to avoid breaking the bank while doing them, like buying golf clubs or a bike at a garage sale, or finding craft supplies at a secondhand shop.
Some secondhand options in Salina are the Goodwill Industries of Kansas, located at 2640 Planet Avenue, and Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas, located at 1500 South 9th Street.
12. Give Back
Generosity fosters a sense of abundance. Whether it’s volunteering your time, sharing your skills, or donating to causes you care about, giving creates a ripple effect of positivity and fulfillment. There’s always someone out there who has less than you, and it helps remind you of all the blessings in your own life, and how there is always something you can share with others, even if it’s simply your time and attention.
You can always find a volunteer opportunity in Salina. For a few opportunities to get involved, try checking the Salina United Way Volunteer Calendar or the City of Salina Volunteer page.
Living an abundant life doesn’t require a big bank account. It’s about making intentional choices, finding joy in simple pleasures, and nurturing what truly matters. By spending less and focusing on life’s riches—health, relationships, and experiences—you can create a life that feels genuinely abundant.
If you haven’t seen it yet, click here to read Part 1 of our Live Well While Spending Less series.
