NOT SPENDING MONEY
- From Cadillac to Bib Coveralls!!

In my project to stop spending money, I got myself a pair of Lined Bib Coveralls and a neck warmer to complete my outdoor parka set.

MY GOAL:
Living in Regina, I have become an indoor person as I've hated to go out in the bitter cold. Trying to walk anywhere in -15c is painful after the first 15 minutes.

In order to not rely on a car, I've gone out and purchased some Lined Bib Coveralls, a neck warmer, and a face mask.from Marks Work Wearhouse.
I wanted clothing that allow me to walk around outside for at least an hour WITHOUT feeling the cold weather.

I think I've achieved that goal with this new gear.

Monty Loree - New Outerwear that replaces the Cadillac

Taken February 7th, 2008 - Regina, SK

THE PROS AND CONS OF WALKING IN WINTER vs DRIVING A CADILLAC CTS
I had to go the bank today which is a 20 minute walk from my house. It was -15c at the time. I dressed up in my new outdoor outfit and went for my walk.

By the time I got to the bank I was completely sweaty and way too warm. This was in comparison to the other day when I did the same walk in the same temperature without the heavy outfit. My legs froze and it took me a few hours to warm up. My body was exhausted.

The pros of wearing this outfit is that it was a one time purchase of $200 for the lined bib coveralls, the neck warmer, and the facemask.
I got a pretty good work out walking to the bank, and then to Tim Hortons and back.

This is in comparison to what I used to do, which was purchase a premium membership at the YMCA for $75 per month, and then drive my Cadillac there for $1000 per month.

Let's review the costs here:
YMCA at $75 per month = $900 / year - permanent cost
Cadillac CTS @ $1000 per month =$12,000 per year - over 48 months

VS

The Big Snow Outfit total cost $450 or $37.50 per month - Single cost.

I don't get the weight machine exercises that I used to at the YMCA, however, I do get a really good and brisk 1 hour walk in the snow. This works up a good sweat. The cost is pretty cheap in relative terms.

The Cons / Challenges of walking out doors in -15c weather.

• It's much slower than taking the car. Driving to the bank used to take me 3 minutes.
  
• Because I'm out of shape, walking outdoors is a little harsh on my system. It takes me a few hours to recover from the walk. I'm hoping that this will get better as I get in better shape.
  
• People look at me funny when I go into the bank or store decked out in my heavy outfit. They wonder what the heck I'm up to.
  
• Driving vs walking is much more convenient, comfortable, etc.

THE POINT:
It has been work to change my lifestyle so that I can save money, add to my cash reserves and be more conscious of my spending by going from driving an expensive car to walking in the Saskatchewan outdoors.

As I was walking today, I was thinking to myself... this is alot of work walking to the bank and then to tim hortons for coffee. This is a change in my lifestyle that I have to make in order to reduce my costs as part of the NOT SPENDING MONEY experiment.

It was hard work to find the out fit that I could use to go for walks. I had to go shopping around looking for these clothes items. The next thing is that I have to spend time dressing up in this outfit. It looks like a farmers costume my wife says. It's not the most attractive or flattering outfit out there.

I can imagine that this difficult process would the same for everybody who is trying to get a grip on their spending. They would have to do some hard work to change their life style to get their spending in complete control.

Yes... It can be done.. you can change your lifestyle to reduce your credit card spending and start saving up some cash. It will take some hard work, and planning but you can do it...

As they say... If I can do it... You can do it!!