Cosmic Ways To Save Money Like A Jedi

Sometimes, useful financial advice can come from the unlikeliest places. Take Star Wars, for example. It is not only an epic Science fiction film series but also a good place for frugal inspiration.

Learn to save money like a Jedi with these five universal ways:

1. BUILD THINGS FROM SCRATCH

Luke Skywalker, one of the greatest Jedi in the galaxy, spend no expense by making his own lightsaber (laser sword). Like Luke, do not be afraid to Do-It-Yourself!

Start from simple crafts such as making your own shower cleaner or personalized key-chain. After which, turn the difficulty up a notch by making all the crafts for your dream wedding. This can help you save loads of cash.

2. SIZE MATTERS NOT

In “Star Wars:The Empire Strikes Back” movie, Luke was tasked to raise his X-wing (aircraft) from the swap and he complains that it is too big. This frustrates Yoda, a wise Jedi Master. Yoda then explains that size does not matter and excuses are not welcome.

In life, obstacles to saving money can seem unbearable at the moment but, it shall not stop you from pushing through. Furthermore, you must understand that the size of your salary does not matter. What matters most is how you spend and manage it.

3. SHARE AND BE BLESSED

A Jedi shares his knowledge and skills to others with no charge. Apply the hippie-like concept of sharing to your life. Share resources to your fellow classmates and you will not have to buy expensive reference books ever again. Also, you can carpool with your friends to save on gas.

4. KEEP YOUR WARDROBE SIMPLE

Much like Jedi Knights who mostly wear “brown sack-cloths with hoods” or Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg who mostly wears grey shirts, you can save more money by keeping your wardrobe simple. You do not have to wear the same shirt or same outfit everyday! Just avoid hefty designer clothing by purchasing clothes from thrift shops or year-round sales.

5. DO OR DO NOT. THERE IS NO TRY.

When Luke was making excuses about his inability to levitate objects with his mind, Yoda told him these famous words: “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.”

When you continue to make excuses to saving money or altering your spending habits, you can end up retiring broke. So, start accepting the responsibility and create a monthly budget that is suited for you. In due time, you will see that eliminating your excuses produces meaningful results.

Sources: 1, 2 , & 3

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Must Read: Simple Money Hacks To Improve Your Financial Life Now

You deserve to achieve understanding, awareness, and especially control over your life. Everyone does. And, “Psychology Of Love, Money, & Life” book might just be the answer!

Money is one of the book’s three sections. Adding the Psychological factor, you will be able to realize that money has effects on your well-being and that you can control its effects. You hold your financial present and future!

So, take a peek inside some of the valuable tips you can get from the #PLMLBook

1. GAIN PLEASURE FROM MONEY THROUGH ANTICIPATION

If you want to gain positive feelings toward your spending then, ensure that you always have something to look forward to. Let us say you get a raise, treat yourself by buying the designer bag you have been wanting for months. The anticipation of purchase, no matter how small the item is, can increase pleasure enormously.

2. SAVE UP FOR TRAVEL FUND

If you are in a Long Distance Relationship, it can be very expensive. Which is why it is essential to follow a strict budget to save up for your travels. Be responsible enough to spend your money only to what is necessary.

3. SHALL YOU BUY IT OR NOT? STOP THINKING! TAKE THE SWIFT TEST INSTEAD.

When you are thinking twice on purchasing an item especially an article of clothing, ask yourself if you are willing to try it on the dressing room swiftly at that particular moment. If there is no sense of immediate excitement, do not bother to buy it.

4. ONE SIZE MAY NOT FIT ALL

Everybody’s financial situation is unique to the person so, be wary of the “one-size-fits-all” investment strategies from media’s financial gurus. Many factors such as your consumer personality, financial goals, age, etc. should be considered. This is why it is best to listen to your personal financial adviser instead.

5. AVOID THE STATUS QUO BIAS

As I was looking for a new laptop online, my choice leaned towards the brand that I’ve been using for 4 years – the MacBook. Although its competitor had touch screen, 360 bendable monitor, and it’s running on the new Windows software that enables you to download countless of Apps. Certainly, for functionality, the latter was the best choice but I still preferred Macintosh.

This cognitive bias is called the status quo bias. It occurs when you are more likely to prefer the product that you know more of even if there are better options available. Changing your buying habits to avoid this cognitive bias start with the awareness!

Image Credits: misspsychobabble.blogspot.com

Image Credits: misspsychobabble.blogspot.com

Psychology of Love, Money, & Life is now available on Google Play BooksKobo, Amazon (Kindle), Apple IBooks, and M1 Learning Centre. Find the platform and price that suits you best!

This is written by Anna Agoncillo. She graduated under Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK) with Honors. Combining her passion for psychology and writing, she started a successful blog called “Miss Psychobabble” and has contributed to other platforms including Bored Panda, Psychology Matters Asia, Thought Catalog, Money Digest, and so much more.

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Experts’ Powerful Insights About Money And Achieving Success

Have a dose of inspiration about money and success, employees and entrepreneurs of Singapore! Take it from the legendary experts such as Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, and Coco Chanel…

1. CUSTOMERS ARE IMPORTANT

Henry Ford (Founder of the Ford Motor Company): “It’s not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It’s the customer who pays the wages.”

Henry Ford was right, customer’s satisfaction is important, as they are the ones who clamor over your products. Whether you are selling electronics or cosmetics, the consumers are one of your greatest assets. Pay attention to what they need and want through intensive research (e.g., focus groups).

2. HAVE NO FEAR

Coco Chanel (Founder of the Chanel Enterprise): “Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.”

Image Credits: CHRISTOPHER DOMBRES via Flickr

Image Credits: CHRISTOPHER DOMBRES via Flickr

Success in business requires experience, discipline, and hard work. But if you are afraid of taking risks, you might miss out a lot of opportunities. Instead of dwelling on failing, dwell on you’re mastering your strengths.

3. DO YOUR BEST AND WIN

Colonel Sanders (Founder of KFC): “I made a resolve then that I was going to amount to something if I could. And no hours, nor amount of labor, nor amount of money would deter me from giving the best that there was in me. And I have done that ever since, and I win by it. I know.”

What Colonel Sanders imparts is the true essence of work: doing your best despite of the amount of hours or money one receives. Each job you take is part of your learning experience. Someday, it will all be worth it.

4. TAKE YOUR TIME TO LEARN

Vera Wang (Well-known Fashion Designer): “Don’t be afraid to take time to learn. It’s good to work for other people. I worked for others for 20 years. They paid me to learn.”

Some of you may be taunted by the idea of working for somebody for more than 10 years because of your deep desire to become your own boss. But, 10 years worth of experience and wages – that is a lot of wealth! You may be at the bottom of the company’s hierarchy now but as long as you give your all that would not be for long.

5. IT IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY

Steve Jobs (Co-founder and Past CEO of Apple Inc.): “When I was 25, my net worth was $100 million or so. I decided then that I wasn’t going to let it ruin my life. There’s no way you could ever spend it all, and I don’t view wealth as something that validates my intelligence.”

For someone who had it all, Steve Jobs showed that life is not always about having hefty loads of cash. Even B.C. Forbes (Founder of Forbes Magazine) agree as he said: “real riches are the riches [we] possessed inside”. Cultivate what is within!

Image Credits: James Mitchell via Flickr

Image Credits: James Mitchell via Flickr

Sources: Brainy Quote and WriteMoneyInc

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