How to Reduce Your Music Spending and Live Better

If you're anything like me, what I'm about to say really is going to sound like I am attempting to preach to the choir. Actually, I sort of am, considering that I am just as guilty as this as a whole lot of you music fanatics out there. Back in the good old days, or at least not too long ago, getting a hold of your favorite music really wasn't that expensive of a proposition. However, just like with a lot of other things in this day and age, that has changed, too.

When was the last time that you bought a music CD either from the record store, your local department store or downloaded it from iTunes? How much did you pay? Ten dollars? Fifteen? Twenty? Wow! These amounts aren't uncommon, especially with all incurred costs of the production, manufacturing and, in some cases, the transportation of the music. Now, consider that, say, if you buy even just one CD per payday or, if you're like me, one a week, it can do some damage to an otherwise fragile budget.

Let's say that you buy yourself one CD at the median $15 a pop. In a month, you have spent a total of $60. On the same token, consider that a lot of people take out short-term loans do so because they need help paying rent, getting some gas, an unexpected bill or, one of the most common, fell short on picking up the tab on the grocery bill. However, if you're living paycheck to paycheck and you just spent $60 of your already tight budget, what is more important; new tunes, or food on the table?

So, what can you do? First, you can do what a lot of people do when they must have certain things though their budget is especially skinny. Measure out approximately how much you need for your rent or mortgage, your other bills, essential communications and so on. From what is left, you will be quick to realize that the money you once frivolously wasted on CDs you, in some cases, can't even afford, can make filling the pantry not only a lot easier, but can make what's in there last that much longer.

And if you're really in need of new music but are concerned about making your checkbook strike a bad chord, possibly consider used CDs from online retailers such as Amazon Marketplace or visiting your local pawn shop, which will, most of the time, have a lot of what you're looking for if you have the time to look closely. Furthermore, their prices typically will be even more than half or three fourths off what you'd pay for them brand new from a record store.