Tips for spending less and making more
Money is an issue that plagues us all, whether we have a lot of it, or none at all. We all wish we were better with it than we are. The following are some tips for spending less, and some tips for making more.
Tips for spending less:
Eat in. Even if you only eat at McDonald's you are going to spend more if you eat out then you will if you cook a meal and eat in. So, do not let being tired, or lazy be an excuse to overspend.
Use coupons, etc. If you want to spend money you have to price check. You have to be willing to clip a coupon, or ask for a discount. Do not let your pride stand in the way of saving money. It is foolish to not use a coupon because you are embarrassed.
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Determine wants and needs. When most people overspend it is because they want something, not because they are starving to death and overspend on groceries. You have to try and save money by being smart about purchases. If you do not need it now, wait until you do. If it is a luxury, then budget for it, and do not buy it until you have saved enough for it. You have to live within your means, and the only way to do that is to not impulse shop.
Do not go out without purpose. When most people overspend it is because they shop or go out without a goal in mind. If you want to spend less you have to take a list, and you have to go shopping with purpose in mind. If you go out with randomness in mind, then you will come home with lots and lots of stuff that looked fun, or that was a good deal, but stuff that you do not need. So, make a list whether you are grocery shopping, or shopping for clothes. It may take some of the enjoyment out of shopping, but it sure helps ensure you spend less, if you stick to it.
Tips for making more:
Make time your advantage. If you get paid hourly then milk the clock for all it is worth. Just a few extra minutes each time you work can add ten dollars to your check each week, and that can add up to five hundred dollars a year. It may seem silly, but it can add up fast, so make more by not leaving at five minutes to five, but five minutes after. If you get paid on salary, take advantage of any time you can work extra for more money. If you get a paid holiday, but still have the option of working, work it. You will barely notice the difference, and you can make more.
Ask for a raise, just a small one. If you want to make more money you have to deserve it, but if you do deserve it, you better get it. So, if you are putting in your time, working hard, and making the best efforts you can, then it is time to ask your superior for an increase in pay.
Claim more people on your taxes. A good way to make your pay check bigger is to get a smaller return on your taxes. You can claim more people so less is withheld. You just want to be careful not to claim too much though or you will owe taxes at the end of the year. But you should be the one collecting interest on that money, not the IRS. So, get a bigger check, and make more by collecting interest on that money.
