These are tough economic times. Lots of people are feeling the stress — are you? If you’re trying to simplify your spending, follow a few of these strategies:
- Pay cash: It’s much easier to spend money when you use plastic. Keep yourself accountable by using cold hard cash.
- Don’t buy too much at one time: If you’re buying too many things, you stop paying attention to what you’re getting. Any one item seems insignificant.
- Use coupons:but don’t buy something just because you have a coupon. If you wouldn’t buy it at full price, don’t buy it with a coupon. (Keep your coupons organized for extra savings)
- Question your purchases: Do you really need it? Do you love it? Do you have to have it right now?
- Make a list and stick to it.
- Set goals for the amount of money you want to save and
- Don’t shop when you’re hungry: even for non-food items.
- Don’t make shopping a reward or a hobby: It’s easier to over spend when you’re “rewarding” yourself.
- Be skeptical of “SALE” stickers: often stores will only mark an item down by a few cents and slap a “SALE” sticker to draw your attention. Make sure it’s a good deal before you purchase it.
- Stay out of stores: if you don’t shop, you won’t buy!
Do you have additional tips for saving more and spending less? I’d love to hear them!
Amy Dahm says
I still love comment #10 and use it alot! My daughter loves to “go shopping” but then I spend. Much easier to just stay home and save.
Andrea says
Yeah — it sounds so dumb to even type it, but “not shopping” really is a great way to save!
Melissa@SimplyMel says
Great post! I so hear you on these b/c we just finished Financial Peace University a few weeks ago and are FINALLY on a great budget ( and following it to a “T”) AND OUT OF DEBT! Except, for our mortgage. It’s such a great feeling but I’ve really had to curb my spending everywhere. I have to ask myself those tough questions, coupon and pay cash. We no longer own any credit cards. We actually get a lot of flack and questioning for it too! Like, that’s unheard of and not quite right.
Glad I stopped by!
Andrea says
Good for you Melissa!
I actually know a lot of people who no longer use credit cards. If that system works for you…then use it. Don’t worry about what others think. They are probably in debt!
Jennifer says
Yes, paying cash is about the best advice there is. We recently started pulling out the money we needed for groceries, the kids, etc., and it’s amazing how we shop differently than when we used the debit card!
Andrea says
Yes, it IS amazing how easy money can fly out of your account when you use plastic!
Betsy (Eco-novice) says
Children help with number 10. Who wants to shop with 2 kids in tow? Takes all the fun out of it and has seriously curbed my in-store spending.
Andrea says
Isn’t that the truth!
oh amanda says
My college professor told me if I want to spend less money I need to NOT go to the mall and cancel ALL catalogs from my mailbox. It’s easy and true!
Thanks for linking up to Top Ten {Tuesday}!
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Andrea says
Thanks for the “Linky” opportunity! I’ll be coming back next Tuesday!