You have probably found yourself in this situation before: the month is nearing its end, it’s the 23rd or 25th, and you have no idea how to make it through the last week until your next paycheck arrives.
You start asking yourself:”Where did all my money go?” and you can’t even recall spending your cash on anything expensive. Anyway, you have to wait for another week, or sometimes even longer, until you receive your salary.
The worst thing is that you have no idea how you ended up in that situation – again. And the truth be told, being in such a position is quite frustrating, and even scary. You realize that it is high time to make some changes.
Before starting, you have to be serious about sorting things out once and for all; there is no coming back. Be motivated and be committed; results will come sooner or later. Also, you have to be prepared to face yourself. You will probably have to impose some limitations on yourself, and that will not be easy.
Here are top three savings tips that will help you to stretch your dollar:
1. Pay Attention to Your Spending
The first step is supposed to show you how, and on what, you spend money. If you think that you don’t have to write everything down and that you will simply remember it – you are wrong. It’s vital that you realize how and on what you normally spend money. Once you do this, you will gain a deeper understanding of your spending; that will allow you to spot unnecessary purchases. Furthermore, you will realize there are many things you could save money on.
Although it can be boring to do it, force yourself to write everything down for a month. No matter how big or small your purchase is, make a note of it. When the month is over, you will be able to see where your money went; that is essential if you want to make it last longer.
Three dollars for coffee on a daily basis might not seem like a big deal to you. But multiply that by 20 times or more, and it suddenly does seem somewhat excessive. Consider making your coffee at home, and you will save $60+ per month. That sounds great, doesn’t it?
2. Switch to Cash
In the past, people used checks a lot more; that meant writing everything down and being aware of their spending. Nowadays, credit and debit cards have become a norm. You probably think that they are much more convenient and easier to use than checks, and you are right. There is no doubt about it; cards are very practical.
However, there’s a downside to them. When you use a card, you don’t really feel like you are spending money because you cannot actually see it. It is very easy to swipe your card; it doesn’t even feel like real spending.
So, consider using cash only. Leave enough money for bills in your account and withdraw the rest. Then, divide the cash into categories such as “groceries”, “gas”, “entertainment”, and so on (there should be enough in each category for the entire month). You will be surprised to see that you won’t feel like spending as much as before. When you can literally see your money, you will think carefully before spending it.
3. Make a List and Stick to It
Whether you are going to the supermarket or the mall, don’t go without a list. It is extremely easy to get excited and buy things that you don’t really need. If you need a new pair of shoes, go to the mall only for the shoes. Once you find the right pair, don’t go to other shops to “look around.” Sales can be very tempting, and you will quickly feel like spending more than you initially planned.
Do you really need another shirt or do you want it only because it is on sale? Make yourself think rationally before you start chasing another “clearance” sign. Buy what you came for and leave once you are done.
People looking to buy any product will be searching for the items in the pages of online classified sites like Lespac. When they find a product that meets their requirements, they would contact the seller or they would just click on the website to find great, exciting information about the product they have to sell.
Reward Yourself
It will probably take you at least a month or more to gain control of your spending. Moreover, it will take you a lot of training and patience to stay in control. You should know from the start that it won’t be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.
Once you become an expert on your money, don’t be afraid to reward yourself occasionally. Being in control of your spending is important, but so is having fun. Consider taking a small amount of money and indulging in some games of fortune. On freespin casino, you can find overviews of best online casinos. Don’t overdo it, though; it’s just for fun.
You can also treat yourself to a great movie; visit Deuces Wild Movie to read interesting movie reviews.