5 Things Stopping You from Escaping The Rat Race!

 

How to Escape the Rat Race: How Being in Control of Your Expenses Help with Escaping the Rat Race

The rat race is essentially applied to people who felt like they are stuck in a financial grind and those who are frustrated because they felt like they don’t have time for their own hobbies and wants.

This mostly applies to professionals working in the city, whether they are white-collar or industrial. Willingly or not, there’s a lot of people drawn to this race – stemming from our primary mindset to earn more money in order to sustain never-ending bills and increasing extravagant lifestyle.

It’s been human nature that always leads people to want better things. The more money you make, the more you feel justified in spending.

For example, if you are driving a motorcycle now, sooner or later, you will feel like you deserve a better vehicle. But how will you be able to devise a means to get loose and break free from the rat race?

In order to escape the rat race, it is important to have an understanding of the root cause. The primary issue here lies in the possibility that most people consider you successful if you have luxury material possessions.

People are stuck in a rat race because they feel like money is the solution to everything. They forget that the true value of money does not mean amounts and numbers but on its contributions to their well-being.

It can take a physical, mental, and emotional toll on your body, mind, and soul. Anyone who is stressed with having to think about escaping the rate race can always choose to work on a less stressful job but more likely, it would pay less.

On the other hand, people who are working in high-paying jobs do not have time for themselves and/or their families.

You would always want to upgrade your iPhone, or get hot wheels, or buy a diamond necklace for someone. These thoughts are what’s driving you to achieve more.

It is amazing to always think of improving yourself and your well-being but this mostly results in you slogging unbelievable hours at a job that you might hate but you need it so you are staying.

Most of the time, the resolution is to save money but why would you try saving money if you are still not able to control your spending? Controlling how you spend money will make up the core of your finances and budget for each month. What can I do about it?

Conscious spending

There are people who regret going on vacations or traveling to new places, but you don’t need to buy new clothes for that vacation.

After going out for a movie night, you can always go home instead for a homemade meal and even with a glass of wine rather than spending another hundred dollars eating out after you already spent some on the movie and snacks.

It is helpful to spend your money consciously and understand where you would need that money the most. It is advisable to make honest choices and you will see a sudden decrease in your spending habits. This way, you are saving more.

Keep in mind that it does not mean that you need to stop spending at all; you just have to spend money intentionally and consciously on your priorities.

Difference between needs and wants

Keep in mind that there’s no need to feel ashamed when you live modestly. You don’t need a big house with lots of room that you don’t even use.

People normally purchase these kinds of homes to impress friends and would serve as a status symbol in society. You want it, but you don’t need it.

Every time you are facing a major purchase, always ask yourself first if you need that. Most answers would say no.

To escape from the rat race by optimizing your expenses, minimize materialistic wants and focus on what you really need first. You can ask yourself about what makes you really happy.

You might find it hard to answer that, or it may take a while, but you will be able to spend without regrets when you do, and you won’t even have a second thought.

Splurging is not bad

There’s no need to punish yourself when you are trying to optimize your expenses and escape the rat race.

It’s okay to splurge once in a while because that’s your hard-earned money.

Aside from that, it also makes better sense to buy quality products than buying low-price alternatives. Just keep in mind not to go overboard with splurging.

To think if you really need to buy it or you really want it, one psychological trick is to wait for 2 weeks and visit your decisions again. It will tell you if it still excites you or maybe you even already forgot about it.

Investing more

When you begin with expense optimization, your savings will increase and will improve your investments.

You can escape the rat race when you set yourself up with an income that allows you to enjoy your life and make you feel happy – something that will let you do things you really want.

When you invest, you will feel like you are the king of all jobs. You are able to create a passive income that will be able to support your expenses all throughout your life.

It is advisable to put your money in reliable investments for the long run.

This will act as your source of income when you retire and still be able to sustain your lifestyle without sacrificing fine things in life that you have become used to – allowing you to live comfortably.

The rat race is an internal mindset. Once you are able to maneuver around its toxicity and the mob mentality that is accompanied by it, you can definitely find a comfortable and luxurious life.

You shouldn’t stress yourself out if you do not feel like you are failing, getting ahead, or even feeling broken. Just keep doing – learn faster, achieve contentment, pick up the piece of your life, and optimize your expenses.