Saving means Changing

Like many of us I hate change. I have my habits and I like to try and do things the way I always have.

In recent weeks I have learned, through some changes in circumstance that change is absulutely necessary to save and change need not be sucj a bad thing.

Ok. Let me sum up.

In March I lost my car. I was in financial trouble and it was taken back by the bank. I am not ashamed of this. In April I was scammed by a fake estate agent and "robbed" of a great deal of money. I am also owed money by an employer from January that simply did not pay me.

So yes, I have been knocked down. I am not knocked out but I have had to look at my life and how I do things.




What had to change?

Firstly I run a successful business - www.hamptonsolutions.co.za - and this was and is my lifeblood. I needed to ensure it kept running.

No Money + No Car = NO BUSINESS

WRONG

No Money + No Car = CHANGE!!!

So I made changes. These changes have changed habits in me for ever and they can in you and your business.

South Africa is a country obessed with cars...



...so much so that public transport has been left way way behind. In a country with such poverty one would think public transport would be everywhere. It's not.

So I had to change and get used to limited public transport. There is public transport but I had to change! There is not a bus every 1o minutes but one every hour or so. The routes are not direct and the bus stop is not in my garage.

So...what changed?



A few things.

1. I now have to plan better - I try and get as much done in one place as possible!
2. People now have to fit in with me!
3. I have to walk a little further every day!
4. I have to accept the times offered!
5. I have to think before I act!

The results of the change?

Savings all round!!! Transport costs dropped by over R50 (US$6.50) per day!!
I am better managed as a person!
Time is more productive - I now work while travelling - I defy anyone to write on their PC and drive at the same time!!!
I am more patient
I am less stressed - someone else does the driving!
I am a more enironmentally friendly person!
I am fitter!

I now do a great deal more walking.

There is nothing wrong with this change.



here's todays challenge....

To save money for yourself and your business encourage the use of public transport. Here are a few things we can all do:

Leave the car at home when we know all it will do is move from a small home garage to a large company garage!!
Schedule your day better - if you have to be in 10 different suburbs in 1 day ask yourself is it really necessary. Then try and centralise and walk from 1 place to another. A 1km or 3km walk does not take long and it is good for you!!! (Even in the rain!)
Encourage your staff to come to work by bus or train - contribute towards the costs. Its cheaper than contributing to petrol or Diesel!!

Let me know how you get on.