As far back as I can even remember, I have always had a natural instinct to save $$. Why? I am guessing as a young kid I liked seeing money and more money. You could send my friends and I to Woodfield Mall, at the end of the trip, both my friends would spend all their money & I'd probably spent a quarter of it.
I had to always ask myself when I was out "Do I *need* this or do I *want this," if it was on sale and I wanted it every so often I'd treat myself. I am a person who hates to clutter and make things crazy. Don't get me wrong, I am not perfect by any means. I am not a shoe girl, some girls would gasp. I wish it were flinstone days. I am just not a shoe person at all, sandles I hate even more! Haha.
My mom always said live below your means. Haha, my brain thinks if I have 100 on me, I only have 10. Don't ASK where this concept came from. My own family has no idea bc that was not taught to me.
I have been living on my own for over 4 years now. The toughest thing was unemployment, but I knew I could do it without going home. Trust me, I was asked a few times to go home and I am a very stubborn individual so I kept moving. Enough talking so here are some tips and ideas you can try to save money.
There are a few ways to saving money. First you have to do is write out how much (after taxes) you make EACH month. Or a number close to it if it fluxates(esp when you work at a hospital)....
Let's start with an example say after taxes you make $1,700.00 each month
Okay great now what are the *must pay bills*
Rent: 800
Credit Cards: 100
Cell Phone: 75
Electric: 35
Heat/Gas/Trash: 35
Automobile costs: 80
Groceries: 100
Medical/Dental(Vision): 100
(if you do not have a car, then public transportation costs)
Total: 1,305 which remainding saving is $395 if you save at least 300 a month by 1 year you will have 3,600 dollars.
Now we all know emergencies come up and you have to pay for extra things. But that's bascially what your savings is for. You do not want to touch that extra $ unless you have to. There are ways to save with your groceries, such as ads/coupons. Now credit cards, best way to save is buy what you HAVE to buy. Some people see it as 'free' money and that's how you start to pull yourself into debt. Here are some other tips on how to save extra $$:
1) FIRST ask yourself "Do I really need this?" or "Is this just something I want and I can wait until a sale/clearence"?
2) TRY google shopping!! It's honestly the best thing. I always use it and it works within your price range. :)
3) I have an additction to buying makeup; so I always look on websites there is a great website that has their savings coupons or save on shipping. www.retailmenot.com
4) SALES ADS!!!!!!! If you do not buy the Sunday paper, go online to your favorite store: I.e. target and go to their weekly ads and look through the ads. Don't just look at Target and see that they have 12 rolls of toilet paper on sale for 9.99 bc if you look in another ad of the grocery store a few blocks down and the same brand or similar will be on sale for 4.99! Trust me..sales ads are always the best.
