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Its not that I spend loads of money. But I spend little bit after little bit and at the end of the week I cant believe what its all added up to. Then I feel pretty bad and guilty, but the next paycheck I do it again. I'm always making excuses to myself as to why Im spending,you know like justifying my actions eg.Im feeling down,so Im gonna buy this cd to cheer me up. I mean how lame! I just want to have something to show for all my hard work for once and make my bank manager happy.

2006-07-04 05:19:29 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance Personal Finance

21 answers

Open a savings account and arrange for a small portion of your paycheck to be direct deposited to this account. Pretend that this money does not exist. Over time, it will build up to some real money that you can use to do something important, like buy a house. Every time you get a raise, give half of the raise to your savings account. If the money is not in your pocket or in an easily accessible checking account, you will not be as tempted to spend it.

2006-07-04 05:26:21 · answer #1 · answered by just♪wondering 7 · 1 0

No matter how much money someone makes, they usually feel the need to spend almost all of it. People pay their bills (hopefully), then spend money on fun stuff, justifying it with the idea that "I work hard, I deserve this," then plan to save what is left over. Unfortunately, there is rarely much, if any left over to save.

The secret is to "pay yourself first," that is, to save money before you even pay your bills. Even if you put away a $3-$6 a day, each year you would be saving $1000-$2000 a year that you otherwise would have spent. Consider compound interest, often called the "eighth wonder of the world," and watch how every five years the money you save now could double.

Sign up for some sort of automatic direct deposit program. You won't miss the money that doesn't show up in your checking. You can look at the other account, but don't touch it. The best thing I ever did was to sign up for an automatic withholding through my work. Your bank can also do this--mine takes $25 a month from checking to put into savings, but it's better to add more.

2006-07-04 05:40:21 · answer #2 · answered by alcachofita 3 · 0 0

Here are a couple of ideas:

1). Do you have a 401(k)? Putting money into that (especially if your company matches any part of it) is an automatic retirement savings plan. And you don't notice it because it comes out before you get the check.

2). Do you have a budget? This is your basic spending plan - it tells your money where to go so that it doesn't just walk out. Make sure you budget some towards savings and put it into an account that is NOT easy to get to (mutual fund, Roth)

3). Use the envelope system - every paycheck, put cash into different envelopes (CDs, clothing, eating out, etc.). If you want to buy a CD but only have $2 in the CD envelope, you don't get to buy a CD. It takes discipline not to 'borrow' from other envelopes, but you're only cheating yourself if you do.

4). Will your company or bank split your check between your checking account and savings account? Like the 401(k), the money goes in before you get your check, so you don't notice it's not there.

5). Find an accountability partner - someone who will tell you honestly if you are wasting money foolishly.

6). Track every penny you spend for the next month in a journal. This will help you see where your weaknesses are (CDs or double espressos from Starbuck's). This can help curb your spending two ways - one, you know how much you're spending on each type of item and two, its such a hassle to have to write it down.

HTH. Also, check out the cheapskate monthly for saving tips.

2006-07-04 07:54:05 · answer #3 · answered by homeschoolmom 5 · 0 0

its never to early or late to start saving. when you get paid if you put your money in the bank and jsut keep a little of it (that's all you have to spend until the next paycheck) Save change in a jug or bank or soemthing. you would be surprised how fast that can add up. don't spend money on what you don't need. shop on sales racks, cut coupons out. don't go out to eat all the time. and if you really want to save for the future...consider putting some money into a retirement plan. you are never too young to start that and the earlier you do the more money you will have when the time comes. if there is something special you are saving up for like a car or a house or whatever, you can open a special account. there are accounts that only allow you so many withdrawls or put the money into a cd (most banks require at least $1,000 some maybe 500) but if you put the money into even a short term cd you won't be able to take it out and it will earn interest.

2006-07-04 07:49:15 · answer #4 · answered by cutelea 4 · 0 0

First, avoid credit. You do NOT have to have a credit card, and there's a good chance that anything you buy with it will end up getting sold just so you can pay it off. Secondly, you can try what I'm doing. Right now, I really want an XBOX 360. I want to save up $350 to buy it so I can get a game too. So, after I save up the 350, I'm going to put it aside and then actually save up to buy the system. That way, I can buy the 360 and a game for it and still have $350 in savings. Do that for just about everything you want to buy, even CDs. Also, don't eat anywhere besides your house. Think of how much you spend eating out, even fast food, and then how much you spend at the grocery store and how many days that will last you for. Also, if you have the internet, you don't need cable. Just use netflix to watch crap and use websites and/or the radio to keep up with whatever news or sports you like. Also, think of good tips and give other people advice on saving money. The more you hear and teach it to others, the moer motivation you'll have to follow it yourself.

2016-03-27 03:38:39 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

Write out a budget and keep to it.

Make sure to cover all your expenses first. If there's money left over, that's your spending money. Figure into the budget for saving some money in a bank account. Deposit a little at a time and it will grow.

When you buy something, ask yourself some questions. Do I really need this item right now? Is it more important than the expenses I have this month? Could I get by with something a bit cheaper? Could I get by with what I have?

Discipline comes from exercising some will power over your own buying habits. Keep in mind what's really important to you - paying your bills or that nice new item of clothing or whatever it might be.

2006-07-04 05:41:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

You know what? I used to eat out a lot -- at the good restaurants. What's bad is that I was (and still am) a good cook. You know just the drink can add another $2 to the bill.

Well, I hardly ever go out to eat anymore -- I like my own cooking better. Guess what! I save enough money each year to do a LOT of traveling -- just from not eating out.

The cost of 10 CD's can add up. The cost of a few magazines can add up. Drinks and doughnuts from the convenience store can add up.

Take a long look at what you want to do with your life, and focus on YOUR life, not celebrities, not name brands, not going out to eat and such.

Set some priorities, and PAY YOURSELF by putting away some money in a saving account. Do this every week without fail.

Once the bank balance looks good, believe me you will be inspired. When you have a few thousand $$$ in the bank, it stimulates you to wanna save even more.

2006-07-04 05:28:24 · answer #7 · answered by My Big Bear Ron 6 · 0 0

To save money you must pay yourself first. That means you either have a portion (such as 10%) of your take home pay directly deposited into your bank or put into your employers savings plan automatically each pay period. It is best to choose a place where it is hard to get. After a few months you will not miss it and every time you get your savings statement you will be proud of the money you have saved for future needs. Ask your boss to help you get started. Do it today and see how much better you will feel about yourself.

2006-07-04 05:41:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

First of all, get rid of you ATM card/ debit card. ATM machinges are set up in places you like to go. Like the mall, and the mall and maybe the mall. you run out of cash, and there is an ATM for you to get more money. Sure $5 to $10 is not a lot of money. But do that 10 times and now you pulled $50 to $100 at the end of the day. Budget! Take only I little bit and make it stretch, cut coupons and don't impulse buy.

2006-07-04 05:29:19 · answer #9 · answered by Magic Hands 2 · 0 0

Read the book titled "The Automatic Millionaire" by David Bach. If that book doesn't convince you to change your spending habits - nothing will. Honestly.... this book should be required reading in High School. It will show you how just those little things can add up to a HUGE amount over a few years and what steps to take to correct your habits.

2006-07-04 05:28:11 · answer #10 · answered by legacy 2 · 0 0

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