money management problem?please help?

Question

I have this bad habit that I can not save money or i'd better say manage or handle my money properly. I get ripped off often....when I write down my expenses I lose a lot of money because people easily can charge me for the same service that for example somewhere else charge a lot less. I tell you example....the phone company charged me 180$ just because I cancelled my postpaid mobile bill to prepaid when I realised that is just a way they can take money from your account for no reason. I went to a skin clinic for Laser hair removal and then during consultation they offered me a lightening cream that they just sell as the sole company and said I have to use it because otherwise after laser I will have darkening of my skin so they charged me 200$ just for two creams..a sunscreen crean and a lightening cream ....I bought a book and and dvd for my child for 10$ and when I came home and watched the DVD it was just for 5 minutes and of no use...absolutely waste of money...and so on...

Answer 1

These businesses hire fancy lawyers and consultants to figure out how to make you give them your money. you don't have a chance unless you inform yourself by talking to others, reading magazines like Consumer reports, then scanning articles in places like Good Housekeeping or Money Magazine. After a couple years of effort, you will get the hang of it, then just need tips here and there on the more clever scams. I use Tracfone, that is much cheaper than a contract if you don't use your phone much, and no big penalty if you want to cancel (just don't buy any more time). Talking too much on a cell phone is a big money waster. So is eating out. Having a new car if you can barely afford the payments - get a used car. Rent or buy a home that is somewhat below what you can afford. When you want to have something expensive, like new carpet, ask around and see what others have done, they will love giving you advice on what reputable businesses there are, and if they hate certain carpets and why, etc.

Hope this helped - I am on disability and I have managed very well on limited income. My brother is on SSI and gets like $8000 a year in income, and was able to buy a house because he is so thrifty (and we moved to a low cost rural area). Good luck! Go to the library if you can't afford those magazines. Oh yeah, newspapers often have money advice columns for consumers once a week.

Answer 2

People aren't ripping you off, you are allowing them to extract more money from you because you are not taking the time to think things through.

A simple and easy way to help yourself is to do this; when faced with something offered, say "let me think about it" and do just that. Weigh all the information, and for heavens sakes, get as much information as you can before making important and costly decisions.

Answer 3

do research on the products and services before you make the purchase, seems you fall in to the lies and whatever they advertise without thinking much of it. Buy smart.