Don’t throw your money away!
Of course, what would ever possess someone to throw their own money away? I know it sounds absurd, but I’m sure almost everyone has thrown money away at some point in their lives. I know I am guilty of it. I often pass up discount opportunities out of convenience. Why waste my time filling out a coupon to save 2 bucks?
The only way I have found to turn around this thinking in my head is by thinking about how much more money I would have right now if I hadn’t thrown my money away.
Sometimes I add up all the money I could have saved if I hadn’t spent that extra $15 at Barnes and Noble and if I hadn’t bought those three sodas at work this week. What if I had brought that $3 off coupon to the mini golf course or if I had passed on the joint pizza with my friends when I wasn’t even hungry?
I even get annoyed with myself when I throw away money before I even see it. For instance, all the hours at work I pass up by leaving early because I’m ‘tired’ or by taking a weekend off when I was only busy for a few hours. I have calculated a few hundred dollars from just this.
I’m sure you don’t want to spend all your time thinking about how you can save money. I don’t expect you to stop every time you are at the cash register and say to yourself, “can I afford this?” No, there is no point in letting it take over your life and causing you to worry, but I doubt this will happen.
All you need to do is come up with a plan beforehand. It’s almost like a budget within a budget for your fun expenses. Maybe you allow yourself $100 dollars a month for spending money and you realize that it’s way too much. First things first, cut back on food expenses.
Why spend money on food when you can go home and get it for free? Is it really necessary that you buy a slice of pizza at work 4 or 5 times a week? Just pack a sandwich, or maybe you don’t need food at all if you’re only working for 4 hours. Cut back on the soda and snacks at school and work or when you’re just out. Instead of going for McDonalds on your way home from a baseball game, just wait another half hour until you get home. Click here and check out these great cheap meal ideas. They’re probably better tasting than McDonalds anyway!
Are you spending too much time away from home? Do you go bowling every weekend? That could be costing you up to $40 a month. Do you bowl, play mini golf, and go to the movies every weekend? That is totally unnecessary. Pick just one thing to do once in a while. If you have to spend time with your friends, which I am not telling you not to, try to do things that don’t cost anything. Watch a movie at someone’s house or play games. Go for a hike, or just do something that doesn’t cost anything.
The next time you go to spend money, make sure you really want it. I would have to admit, I am more of a ‘things’ spender. I tend to waste a lot of money on books, CDs, or just anything. If you think you are going to throw it away in a few months, don’t buy it. If you really need a book, get it from the library or sell it back when you’re done reading it on Amazon or Ebay.
If you feel like you can’t just stop spending, find someone who can hold you accountable. If you are too generous to yourself, ask your friend you spend the most time with to make sure you stop spending money. It will give them a chance to boss you around and will hopefully curb your appetite for spending.
