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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on MadameNoire January 21, 2016.
Sarah Knight, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: How to Stop Spending Time You Don’t Have With People You Don’t Like Doing Things You Don’t Want to Do, saved $10,000 in one year and moved to the Caribbean with her husband in 2015. While many assume Knight and her husband are just a couple of financially privileged New Yorkers on some “Eat, Pray, Love” BS, Knight has assured the masses that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In an essay on Refinery 29, Knight revealed that while she and her husband — who are both in their mid-30s — were building a vacation home in the Dominican Republic they decided they wanted to move to the country permanently instead, at least for half of the year. In order to do so, Knight decided to save three months of her publishing executive salary as she transitioned into a full-time freelance writer and editor.
For Knight, her three-month salary equaled $10,000 which was also half of her mortgage, bills, insurance, groceries and spending money. After she divided the $10,000 by 365 days, Knight determined she would have to save $27.40 ever day to ensure she and her husband’s dream of waking up in the Dominican Republic daily became a reality. Although some may think saving nearly $30 a day is impossible, Knight shared these essential tips on how you, too, can save money to reach your financial goals.
Decide What You Can Live Without
For Knight, that meant: unnecessary cab rides, hardcover books, two glasses of wine at a restaurant, an outfit from her favorite designer store, manicures, pedicures.
In total, Knight saved $191.80 a week by living without these items.
Bann All Holiday And Birthday Gifts
In order to further accomplish their #FinancialGoal, Knight and her husband decided to ban giving new clothes, shoes or electronics as holiday and birthday gifts.
Say No To All Social Events
This may be hard for many, but Knight and her husband declined every wedding, baby shower or social event that required them spending an exuberant amount of money.
Pass on Sport’s Games Or Concerts
Knight and her husband also decided to give up their usual Broadway show or Yankee game outings. So this means you’ll have to say no to King Bey if you’re serious about making your paper stack.
By decreasing how much she spent, Knight learned how to pay off her old debt without accumulating more. She also learned how not to live paycheck-to-paycheck for the first time in over a decade. With this new-found knowledge, what will you give up in order to become financially free?
