What can I do?

Admittedly Hubby and I are lucky. We have a piece of land to move to as soon as we get the money, we both have steady jobs, even if they aren't what we would choose, and we both have wonderful support structures in our friends and family. If anyone is in a position to "climb out of poverty" we are.

So what can you do if you aren't that lucky? Here are a couple of things that came to me:

1. Dream
2. Make a Budget
3. Audit yourself
4. ????
5. Profit

In more detail:

1. Dreams
These can be as lofty as 'end world hunger' or as simple as 'eat at least one meat meal per week' the only requirement is it is something you aren't doing right now.

2. Make a Budget

It might seem a little silly if the only thing your budget shows is red but do it anyway and use it to set doable goals, for me it was the times that I knew our checking account was going to be overdrawn. I've been trying to see those times coming and cover the amount. I haven't missed one yet. It is a lot easier to find an extra $60 when you know that you need it two weeks ahead of time. 

3. Audit yourself

Keep track of not only how you are spending your money but how you are spending your time. Could you be doing something different with the 30 minutes in the morning between getting up and getting in the shower besides watching re-runs of Jon Stewart?

4. ????

Yes, I know its one step too far down but the questions marks are really appropriate here because step three looks different for everyone. Maybe instead of watching Jon Stewart in the morning you make a lunch to take to work so you don't have to buy lunch. Maybe you own your home and make a couple of hours a week to work on a home improvement project that will increase your equity. Maybe the change is a window box with some beans in it and a tomato plant on your front step. Little changes, easy changes. 

5. Profit

All of the things in step three ether save or make you money at a rate greater than the average rate of pay for someone who is low income or increase your quality of life in a measurable way. I think that counts as profit.