Simply Junior

Let us begin by asking you a question: Are you in debt? When you are in debt, you may be pointing fingers at everyone else, but there is something that you do not know. You may have a problem and you do not even realize it yet. If your check book has been coming up short each month and you are running out of money, then you may have a spending problem. Despite what you may believe, that spending problem you have is very problematic. You think we are lying, don’t you? Well, let us point out some important factors. You are only seconds away from learning how to stop impulse spending.

You have a spending problem and that is only the beginning. Even though it is the beginning, it is the beginning of something that needs to end. What you need to do firstly is control yourself. We know you may find it hard to control yourself, but you are a human and one thing humans were born with is self-control. You may not believe it right now, but you have the control to stop spending money on stuff you do not need.

Before you go to the store, you should make a list and stick with that list. Put the “need” before the “want.” Does this make any sense? What this means is you need to get what you need first. Yes, this involves paying all of those bills beforehand. Make a list of the things you want, it is fine to keep this list and add to it. Each month, purchase one thing off of that list and mark it off. If that one thing is real cheap, then allow yourself to get two things.

Would you like a better solution? Have a budget in your mind, for instance, say you make $2500.00 each month, your house bill is $800.00, electricity is $250.00, car and insurance together is $450.00 and your phone bill (with Internet) is $120.00. This is a combination of $1620.00 in bills with $820.00 left over. Just because you have money left over, it does not mean you have to spend it. You have to eat, don’t you? You still need to set money to the side for food. When all else fails, only purchase the things you want when they are on sale and watch for that sale. Now that you know how to stop spending impulse, it is time to put those tips in action.

There has been a great deal of talk recently about “green shoots” and a pending economic recovery.

Here is a great idea, for anyone who wants to stretch their spending dollars, and get a few extra things for FREE!

Check online for people who are trying to get rid of gift cards, gift certificates and store cards. You would be surprised how many people out there receive store cards for gifts, or as a bonus from work, who just don’t want them, and would prefer the cash.

If you can match yourself up with someone who is getting rid of a card that just happens to be at a store you like, then you can save yourself some money, and in some cases a fair bit of money.

What people do, is they will try and sell the gift card for under the face value, since they would rather have the cash, to make it more attractive to a buyer. You can get cards for most stores now, especially the bigger ones that are in most cities, and for a good deal. If you watch carefully, you could get a $100.00 card for $80.00 in some cases, saving yourself $20.00 dollars, and in effect stretching your spending dollar at that store. If its not a super popular store, you could save even more as people try to unload their gift cards or gift certificates.

Depending on what you are looking to shop for, this can be a great saving tool, especially for a small business. I personally have done this many times, since I regularly purchase craft supplies, and hardware supplies. I have in effect lowered my expenses on most of my supplies.

Just make sure and check the credibility of the seller, either by feedback, or history.. and then you can go shopping and save some money.

Saving fuel is something that all drivers are (or should be) doing at the moment as we look to save money and help the environment. The environment may not be the top of the list of reasons why we should do this but by saving fuel we are saving money and at the same time, doing our bit for the environment. There are some useful tips for drivers to take into consideration, in order to cut down on their fuel consumption.

One thing that some drivers are not aware of is that it is beneficial to buy your fuel in the morning or evening. This is because petrol is denser when the temperature is cooler (typically in the morning or late evening). Doing so will help you save money because the pump calculates the volume of fuel you are putting into your car and not the density. This may mean getting up slightly earlier in the morning but it is surely worth it in order to save some money and beat the rush hour traffic.

Make sure you get every last drop from the pump. The station works out how much to charge you from how long you press down the nozzle. However, what some do not realise is that even after you have let go and you do not wish to spend any more on fuel, there is still a small flow of petrol left. Therefore, make sure you wait a few seconds and then give the nozzle a shake to ensure you get all the fuel out and get your moneys worth.

Keeping a fuel log is a good idea too as it allows you to see how much you are spending each time you visit the pumps. All you need is a little notepad to note down how much your fuel is topped up by and the cost. By doing this you can keep an eye on your spending and if you notice your mileage is decreasing then there may be a problem with your car. This can be a bit time consuming if you are in a rush but it will help you keep an eye on your fuel costs.

There are many ways to save money, spend less and still have fun. With this easy guide you will spend less, spend smarter and save money. If you are losing sleep over your bank balance at the moment you are not the only one. Everyone is facing tough times. If you can implement what you learn here will benefit you in the short term, throughout the year and well into the future.

Your Bank Statement

Your bank Statement will help you track how you spend your money. Seeing everything in black and white will give you a wake up call. Did you really have to eat out four times? Were`those killer heels necessary? Bank charges are also expensive so weigh up the option of a pay as you transact account. Analyze your transaction history and cancel services you do not need.

Let Your Values Guide You

Remind yourself of what you really want in life and what makes you happy. Often our buying decisions clash. You know that you cannot afford it but you want that designer outfit. You also want to stay out of debt but really need a new car. With your values in mind you will be able to resist temptation and know the difference between wants and needs. Setting financial goals for yourself in the short term will help you stay focused.

Do the Maths

Now is the time to get a handle on your cash flow. Work out what you owe, what you own and how much you spend as opposed to your salary. It may take a while to do your maths at first but if you keep a running mental total it will help you to know where you stand. Armed with new confidence and control you can make informed decisions about what you can or cannot afford.

Ditch the Plastic

It is a fact that we spend more when we are buying on credit. The amounts and frequency of swipes are difficult to remember. A better approach would be to pay all your major expenses then draw a fixed amount for an allowance or entertainment to spend how you wish so you will still have fun while being disciplined about how much you are spending.

Register for On line Grocery Shopping

While shopping on line for clothes, gifts and gadgets may be tempting you to over spend, it may be the answer when it comes to everyday shopping. When you select the items you need from a list on line you can keep track of what you spend. It will stop impulse buying, things you do not really need. In the long run you will save money and time so you will have more time to have fun.

Weigh Up Your Choices

Allocate a value to each purchase you make. This way you can pick up which luxuries you can or cannot afford. Placing a value on each item or activity will help you choose which will give you more satisfaction and enjoyment for your money. We are all individuals and place different values on different items. It is a great way to save with out feeling the pinch.

One at a Time Approach

It can be overwhelming to get your finances in shape all at once. Tackle one area of your budget each month. Start with what you spend eating out then what you spend on clothes and cosmetics or entertainment. Next what you spend on gifts and so on. Within a few months you will have done a considerable overhaul of your spending habits without too much effort.

Start Saving

Our ability to save has more to do with our mental attitude and financial behavior than what we earn. An automatic transfer or monthly debit order can make saving painless. You do not even have to think about it each month. Make sure your savings are in a separate account where you can watch it grow. It is very motivation to see tangible rewards of your financial discipline.

Get Clued Up

Being well informed will not only give you confidence it will also give you the background to make better decisions regarding your money. Now is the time to start saving and consolidating. Spending money conservatively will put you in a good position for economic upturn.

Make Clever Choices

There are two ways of doing the same thing. The more expensive way and the cheaper way. By opting for the less expensive way you get the same enjoyment and the added satisfaction of knowing that you are making a wise financial choice. Have fun when you plan a candlelit feast instead of a pricey restaurant meal. A picnic basket at the beach or park is just as enjoyable. Explore your own country rather than going overseas. The joy and experience is the same but the price tag to your pocket, the environment and your health is not. While saving money does not sound sexy, it is the way to realize your dreams.