Most articles, blog posts that talk about Greece at the moment, talk about how bad everything is. And it is. Don’t get me wrong. People are suffering. I have suffered. I had a language school business which shut down partially due to recession. BUT I have also learnt a lot and changed my  money habits because of the situation. I had to say bye-bye to spendy Jo and hello to more careful (but still a bit spendy) Joanna.

So what has changed for the girl who needed/ wanted stuff, more stuff and a bit more stuff?

Credit cards

I stopped using them. Plastic money and Joanna do not go well. So, I cut mine up with scissors and am now just paying off my debts. If I don’t have the money, I shouldn’t be buying. Period.

Recycling

I love clothes, bags, makeup. The economy has made me dig deeper into my closet and pay more attention to what I have, what I need and what I want. Things on the want list usually just stay there. I love loads of things I see in the stores, but I cannot buy them, so I don’t. Instead I repurpose or start wearing again something I had bought a while ago, but just forgot existed. When I do shop, I try to avoid buying fashion trends (I opt for cheaper stores when it comes to those) and I usually by things that belong to a capsule kind of wardrobe.

Being a responsible citizen

I am paying more tax which means my income is much less cause a lot has to go to the government. In the past, when other people did not give me a receipt for a service (one way for the government to get money) I may have even ignored it. I wouldn’t care. Now, I ask for it (or at least most of the times I ask for it).

Sales/bargains

I take advantage of them. I look for bargains and shop during sales.

I have a piggy bank just to feel better

I like the sound of the coin when it drops into the piggy bank. I may not be able to save money in the bank, but I am saving coins (;P).

Bottom line is

Money is not the most important thing in the world

Yes, money matters but above all you need to think that if you are healthy and have a roof over your head, you will be OK.

Stressing over money

I have come to terms with the fact that I am not going to become rich nor am I going to have huge savings in the bank. I am more careful with how I spend my money. I make lists and write down my expenses. I always have a little budget for my fun little extras. Knowing what comes in and what goes out, makes it less stressful.

So, yeah, recession sucks, but you know what? I now value what I earn. I may still be in a spendy mode, but I am cautious. The shopaholic in me has become more mature.

To better times!

Talk soon

xx