Get Control of Your Spending Habits
Credit card companies are really good at luring people where they don't want to go. None of us sets a goal of being buried under a mountain of credit card bills. However, the credit card companies keep offering us those buy now pay later deals that seem to be too good to be true. We just can't say no. But that is exactly what we need to learn to do.
We need to shun the thinking that living paycheck to paycheck is a good budget plan. What happens in the case of an emergency? Are we forced to use credit? Our budget plan should include putting money away for the unexpected as well as regularly putting money into a savings account.
Since there are so many things that we cannot control we have to take control where possible. There is no way that we can anticipate certain medical expenses, home or car repairs, and other mishaps that we might face. But we can control our spending habits and make an effort to spend less and save more.
A good budget is the only way to start and it should be on paper. It can be difficult to begin to budget your money if you are not accustomed to doing so. But the rewards are well worth the effort. It is just going to require commitment and self control.
A budget is only as good as the people using it. Keep yourself accountable to someone your spouse, your friend, your parents. Have a person who will call you out if you are spending too much money.
Start your budget planning by trying to give up one spending habit that might save you a bit of money each month. ??" For example, eating out. Few people realize just how much they spend on food each week in addition to their grocery bill. Make a commitment to yourself to make that adjustment in your spending habits.
Making this adjustment will require some effort. It will mean adjustments in your time management as well so that you have time to prepare meals rather than go out to eat. So make a schedule for preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner and be determined to stick with it. Get other family members involved and help each other remember to take something out for dinner or prepare lunches for the day.
Don't run out armed with your credit card or checkbook each time anyone wants something. Ask if it is necessary to have that particular item. Search around the house first to see if you already have it. I seem to buy a new pack of crayons each time my kids have a project. At the end of the school year, I find at least five boxes of crayons lying around. I would only have invested in one if I had taken the time to look. Okay, crayons aren't that expensive, but it is the discipline that we are going for here.
We need to shun the thinking that living paycheck to paycheck is a good budget plan. What happens in the case of an emergency? Are we forced to use credit? Our budget plan should include putting money away for the unexpected as well as regularly putting money into a savings account.
Since there are so many things that we cannot control we have to take control where possible. There is no way that we can anticipate certain medical expenses, home or car repairs, and other mishaps that we might face. But we can control our spending habits and make an effort to spend less and save more.
A good budget is the only way to start and it should be on paper. It can be difficult to begin to budget your money if you are not accustomed to doing so. But the rewards are well worth the effort. It is just going to require commitment and self control.
A budget is only as good as the people using it. Keep yourself accountable to someone your spouse, your friend, your parents. Have a person who will call you out if you are spending too much money.
Start your budget planning by trying to give up one spending habit that might save you a bit of money each month. ??" For example, eating out. Few people realize just how much they spend on food each week in addition to their grocery bill. Make a commitment to yourself to make that adjustment in your spending habits.
Making this adjustment will require some effort. It will mean adjustments in your time management as well so that you have time to prepare meals rather than go out to eat. So make a schedule for preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner and be determined to stick with it. Get other family members involved and help each other remember to take something out for dinner or prepare lunches for the day.
Don't run out armed with your credit card or checkbook each time anyone wants something. Ask if it is necessary to have that particular item. Search around the house first to see if you already have it. I seem to buy a new pack of crayons each time my kids have a project. At the end of the school year, I find at least five boxes of crayons lying around. I would only have invested in one if I had taken the time to look. Okay, crayons aren't that expensive, but it is the discipline that we are going for here.
About the Author:
Can cancelling a credit card save you money on your debts? Learn whether they're as good as they sound on the Debtopedia website at http://www.debtopedia.com where you can get a free copy of my report Secrets Of Credit Card Debt
posted by Debt Consolidation Loan at
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