I started this year with one main goal and that is to make 2017 the year to save money. We have many events going on this year, my girls senior graduation, family vacation and a new-to-us minivan. With everything going on we have to make saving money top priority and one way we are doing this is with these tips for not spending money.
We make no secret that over spending our money is a top topic on this blog. If we are not careful we can overspend and not be able to save money. In this country we are programed to simply spend out money! We have to have this and we need to spend our money on this.
However, not spending money is hard, very hard. It’s especially hard when you are coming out of Christmas, it’s the best time to shop! Yes, after Christmas season is the best time to shop and is also my weakness when it comes to spending money. Getting back on our financial can take us a bit of time when you spent your December spending money like you won the lottery.
As I searched for great tips for not spending money, I came across some extreme ways to not spend money at all. For me, I would like to invest my money on toilet paper and other things; so these extreme tips for not spending money will not be, um, used at our household (yet). LOL
To learn how to save money, I got that covered; but it’s the spending part that I have to really work on, especially this year. I have written about ways to not spend money, but these tips seemed to be short term. I need to look for tips for not spending money that will help me mentally, while encouraging me as well.
With my blogging goals set high for this year, and blog income starting to increase, not spending money might be very difficult if I’m not careful.
If you are taking charge of your finances, and you want to make some head waves this year, I got some great tips for you. These tips for not spending money will be a great tool to see your savings grow, spend less, or your debt decrease this year. Depending on how you are taking control of your finances, these tips for not spending money will help keep you focused and remind you why you are doing this in the first place.
12 Unbelievable Tips For Not Spending Money This Year
As with every challenge, you will need a plan. If you have decided that you want to take control of your finances, then your plan includes a budget. I am assuming you already have a plan and a budget working for you, and now you are worrying a bit about keeping up with your plan and budget. These plans are written down and your budget is showing where each dollar you are making is going.
Now when the mind decides that it’s bored, it starts confusing needs with wants. Tax time is right around the corner and hey, that income tax refund (if you are lucky) will be arriving soon. The urge to spend money is there and that particular mindset is starting to set in. That’s when you remember that you wrote 2015 goals that includes saving money, kill debt, and make extra income.
So you think of Joyce from My Stay At Home Adventures and look at these tips for not spending money; you will realize that a little bit of motivation and focus will get you back on track. This is the reason why I bring you these tips for not spending money, amigos, to keep helping you reach your financial goals!
I also have to save a lot of money this year, so the tips below I will implement as well.
Use cash on every purchase
When it comes to using cash, I don’t care what anyone says, you will save money. Leave all your tempting cards at home when you go and simply take cash. Use the cash envelope system, if that’s what it takes, and you will save money. I will be honest, I love my cards; but when I don’t want to overspend any money, we use cash only. We don’t like it, but the reality is IT WORKS!
Shop with a shopping list
Before you go anywhere, write down a list of things you need. Sticking to your needs, not your wants, this method will save you money. Write down what you need for the week and stick to your list. Shopping with a list will prevent you from overspending, it will also prevent you from forgetting what you needed to buy (don’t you hate that?).
Menu plan
You will hear about this and wonder if writing down a weekly menu plan is worth it. YES! Yes, it is. Menu plans are so helpful and also helps you save time, it will save you money and prevent you from over spending on things you don’t need for the week.
Avoid going out for leisure
Go out when you need to go out, not because you are bored and need to go window shop. If you are bored, try to find something to do at home. Going out when you don’t need to go out is a waste of gas too.
Will not go to the store hungry
I always say this, but this is so true; and for me, my biggest downfall. We have one car, and when I go to the store, I just go without thinking. I get to the store and that’s when my hunger strikes! Shopping when you are hungry can bust your budget, and ruin your plans to not spend money.
Avoid deals’ websites
I love deals’ websites, yes, I do. Deals’ websites save me money, and I love saving money. The problem with deals’ ads, majority of the deals I really don’t need. I just want to save money and not pay full price, so I purchase the item because I think I am saving money. In reality, I just spent money that I really didn’t need to.
Go over your goals daily
Go over the reasons why you decided you don’t want to spend money in the first place. By going over your goals daily, it will remind you why you are doing this. Being reminded why saving money is important, and why you are making this sacrifice, will motivate you as well.
Analyze my bad habits
Years ago I discovered that I am an emotional shopper, I shop to make me or other happy. I shop when I’m stressed or when I’m happy, and this is dangerous. I have set rules for myself when I get the urge to go shopping, and one of them is to go to sleep and think about it for ONE day before making any purchase. When I sleep on it, and I wake up, I don’t have the urge to spend money.
Shop with a list
Shopping with a list is important because it helps you to keep track of your spending. Before you go to the store, write down what you NEED to buy. When you arrive only buy the items you have written down on your list.
Leave all credit cards at home
This is something I do and that is to leave all my cards and check book at home. This helps me to not spend my money when I go shopping. I take the money I need and head out to shop.
Remove all deal apps from your phone and tablet
By removing any deal app from your phone and tablet, it will eliminate any urge to shop! These deals apps are made to well, make you buy, and removing them will an excellent way to avoid you from spending money!
Go on a spending freeze
I challenged myself to go on a spending freeze for 30 days, and you know what, it works! I think it is one of the hardest things to do for me, but by the end of the challenge I am more focus and saves me enough money.
Conclusion
These tips are meant for you to come back and read when you are feeling discouraged and/or need motivation. Not spending money is hard, especially when you are adjusting to a mindset that has been trained to justify spending.
If the thought of long term ‘not spending money’ discourages you, then I suggest creating a monthly plan and go over these tips. Creating monthly goals seems to work best for me when compared to year long goals.
What other tips for not spending money do you have and/or used before? Share it with us!
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