MONEY SAVING TIPS
People are always trying to save money, especially with today’s economy. No matter what your reason for saving, through this article, you will discover ways never considered. The price of everything has gone up, requiring people to be more conscientious about money. The problem is that by the time the mortgage, car, utilities, and credit cards are paid, there is little money to put aside. Saving money is not that hard, just a matter of learning all the different options and being creative. In addition to the obvious of putting money into a retirement fund or savings account, there are hundreds of ways to save money. Although some ways of saving may not seem like much, once you add them up at the end of the year, you will see how substantial the savings really are. Keep in mind that saving is more than a single lump sum of money put aside. Saving is something found in your everyday life by the way you live and the choices you make. Rome was not built in a day and neither will your bank account be. Each penny saved is one more penny than before. If you have the ability to save big, that is great. However, most people are not in that position, which is why this e-book will show you how little savings can add up quickly. Be encouraged that it is never too late to start saving, regardless of your age. Set your mind that now is the time to start building your future.
SELF IMPROVEMENT TIPS
Wants versus Needs
Make sure the thing you want to spend your money on is a “need” and not a
“want.” Sometimes this can seem like a fine gray line but if you stick to the
need list, you will spend less.
Stay out of the Malls
If possible, stay away from shopping malls. High-dollar shopping malls have
higher and in most cases, people walk out with more than they anticipated
expensive overhead and are designed to sell, sell, sell. Prices are generally
buying. It is better to shop at stand-alone shops or on the Internet.
Attitude
Good money management is an acquired skill. As you go forward with the
process of saving money, you need to have a good, positive attitude, which is often what will keep you and your family heading in the right direction. If you think you cannot save, then you probably will not. Be determined and stay positive about saving.
Avoid Temptations
If you have a particular weakness, stay away from it. If you love to gamble,
stay out of the casinos. If you have a weakness for shoes, drive past your
favorite shoe store. While avoiding temptation is hard, it is also necessary in
order to save money. When you want to give into your temptation, this is the
time to use your “allowance”.
Break old Habits
Take time to learn the various things that “trigger” your spending. When you
are depressed, lonely, sad, anxious, excited, whatever it may be, do you spend more? Once you can identify these triggers then you can learn how to control them. As an example, if you were just laid off from your job, although money is tight, you may have an overwhelming “need” to spend money. Perhaps you notice that when you are bored, you head for the shops. Knowing what affects you will help you to discipline yourself to find other ways of comfort.
Recycle
Try a different type of recycling that will save you money. Have you ever
received a nice gift that you like from someone but will never use? Rather than take it back to the store for an exchange, consider keeping it to give as a gift to someone else. Another way to recycle is to look around your home. There are always things right in your home that can be used to make nice gift baskets – things you never use. For example, the next time you purchase shower gel where you buy one and get one free, keep one for yourself and set the other one aside for future gift giving. You will find hundreds of ideas so be creative and consider things you purchased but have never used.
Good Health
You need to make sure you take care of yourself physically. Missed dental
cleanings (every six months) can lead to gum disease or tooth decay that can cost thousands to fix. The same is true for your health. After trying home
remedies or over the counter medications, if you still do not feel well, see a
doctor. It is far better to pay the doctor visit than to let your simple summer
rain turn into typhoid fever.
Vacations
While Paris, England, or Germany offers excitement, they also cost money to
visit. Unfortunately, people on a regular basis forget about the United States
and even the very state in which they live. One man had lived in Arizona his
entire life. At age 50, when asked by a friend what the Grand Canyon was like, he was unable to answer because he had never been there. The next time you get ready to plan your family vacation, look around where you live and consider an exciting road trip that will not only be educating but cost effective. A vacation does not have to be expensive to be fun and memorable.
Live Within your Means
The quickest way to get in debt is to live beyond your means. Sure, most
people want more than they have but life is not all about spending money. Be thankful for what you do have and learn how to enjoy the financial position youare in. This is where your budget will help identify the amount of money
coming in against the amount of debt going out.