Money problems are a cause of stress to a lot of people. Whether you’re in debt, you aren’t earning quite enough to cover your outgoings, or you’re worried that you aren’t saving enough, here are some tips that will help you get your money problems sorted out.
Track Your Spending
First, it’s time to start tracking your spending. Knowing what you’re spending is the best way to figure out where exactly your money vanishes off to each month. You may find that small expenses start to add up more than you think, whether it’s that Starbucks you treat yourself to every morning before work or your online shopping habit or the items that you always mean to return but never get around to. Figure out what you’re spending so you know what you can cut out.
Use Cash Instead Of Credit Cards
If you have a habit of slapping down your credit card without thinking about it too much, chances are you’re spending more money than you would like to. Using credit cards often doesn’t feel like you’re spending real money, so you’re probably spending more than you otherwise would. Instead, get out cash each week – once it’s gone, it’s gone, so you’ll be able to consider your spending a lot more carefully.
Figure Out Your Debts
If you have debts, chances are, you’re a little stressed out about it. The interest amounts month by month, and paying it back may seem like an insurmountable task. If that sounds like you, it’s time to speak to a company like Bennett Jones Insolvency. They will help you figure out what the next step should be when it comes to your debts – they can often consolidate them, so you’re paying a lump sum each month instead of a small amount here and a small amount there. Once you have spoken to someone about your debts, you will find that your fear of them begins to fade away.
Quit Impulse Buying
If you have a nasty habit of making impulse purchases, it’s time to stop that. No matter how much you love something, if it isn’t necessary and you’re trying to save money, put it back on the shelf. Then wait for thirty days and see whether you still want that item. Chances are, the thrill will have worn off, and you won’t want it anymore. The fewer times you allow yourself to make impulse purchases, the less you’ll want to do it. It’s more of an addiction than you may realise, so it’s time to break that habit.
Shop Around
It’s important to shop around and do your research, particularly if you’re buying a large item like a new car or a fridge. Check out the available deals everywhere and ask the salespeople whether they offer similar deals or whether you should go elsewhere. It is much more possible to haggle on large items than you may think, even in a big department store.
Solving your money problems is a lot easier than you may think. Get organised, ditch those bad spending habits, and you’ll be able to save some cash in no time.
I like the taking money out to use instead of cards idea, I might try that. With being able to tap your card to buy things now it’s so easy to get carried away and not realise how much you’re spending!
Using cash instead of cards has made a big difference to my spending.