4 Ways to Reach a Small Financial Goal

FTC disclosure:  This post may contain affiliate links.

I often hear people say, "I would like _____ but can't afford it".   I have never been one to think that finances should stand in the way of a goal if there is something you honestly want / need.  I am not saying to go into debt, but I am saying GET CREATIVE.

Here are some things I have done:


1.  Find a way to make do without the item, at least temporarily.   Right now I have my eye on a Samsung Wireless Monochrome Printer (SL-M2020W/XAA)  at $127 and with me having an eBay business, it seems like it's a reasonable want/need, right?   Well, here is my plan.  I am going to keep an eye on this and see if it goes down in price (that's one thing an Amazon wish list is great for!)
I'm going to work on earning Amazon gift certificates at Swagbucks.  (I use this for all my searches and have earned lot of Amazon certificates over the years.)   I also currently have a printer, but it's not wireless.  So I'm going to carry my laptop into the room the printer is in anytime I want to print something.  Not as convenient, but it works!

2.  Find a way to earn the item.   I recently have become a Paparazzi $5 Jewelry Independent Consultant.  Did you know that instead of paying for your start up kit to become a consultant, you can have me host a party and use your hostess rewards as payment for your kit?  There are so many different ways in life to earn what you need or want.  The swagbucks idea.  If you are a blogger, you might be able to contact the company of the item you want and they might be willing to allow you to do a review in exchange for one.  Think creatively.

3.  Find a way to win the item.  People really do win legitimate sweepstakes.  You can browse the lists at Online-sweepstakes.com and see what is being given away.  You might not be able to win what you are hoping to, but I have from time to time.  I decided I was going to see how much I could win that I could use at my wedding, and I won invites, thank you notes, favors, and more!  (In all about $3,000 of items at $250 or under.)  Also check out my weekly Giveaway Roundup to see what other bloggers are giving away on their blogs!

4.  Sell something.   Of course everyone always thinks about eBay.  I sell lots of items on there.  Think about what you have that you don't use.   List it!  But there are other places to sell items as well.  The major ones are Amazon.com, and etsy.com but also think of places like Facebook yard sale groups, and a yard sale yourself.

Think creatively!   Set a goal and work towards it!  You *can* do this.  It doesn't matter if you want a printer or to be able to pay your electric bill (although the electric bill is much more serious if you don't get the money!).  The situation is the same -- you have a goal, and it's just a matter of getting there.  Make it a game.  See how quickly and how creatively you can be to achieve the outcome!