21. FINANCIAL CONSULTING
22. BREAK OLD HABITS
23. AVOID TEMPTATIONS
24. THE RIGHT TIME TO SHOP
25. MAKE YOUR OWN GIFTS
26. BARTER SYSTEM
27. MATINEE
28. COMPARISON SHOP
29. STOP COMPETING WITH THE JONES’
21. Financial Consulting
Many financial companies and even churches offer outstanding
classes on how to manage money. While some of these programs
are free, others may have a nominal fee of around $35 to attend
but the money is well spent.
Another great option is consumer-counseling services. This is a
great option for people in over their head with debt. The
counselors will work directly with your creditors to lower your
balances, interest rate, and establish workable payments that you
can afford.
22. Break old Habits
Take time to learn the various things that “trigger” your spending.
When you are depressed, lonely, sad, anxious, excited, whatever
it may be, do you spend more?
Once you can identify these triggers then you can learn how to
control them. As an example, if you were just laid off from your
job, although money is tight, you may have an overwhelming
“need” to spend money.
Perhaps you notice that when you are bored, you head for the
shops. Knowing what affects you will help you to discipline
yourself to find other ways of comfort.
23. Avoid Temptations
If you have a particular weakness, stay away from it. If you love
to gamble, stay out of the casinos. If you have a weakness for
shoes, drive past your favorite shoe store. While avoiding
temptation is hard, it is also necessary in order to save money.
When you want to give into your temptation, this is the time to
use your “allowance”.
24. The Right Time to Shop
Studies have proven that when shopping while hungry, depressed,
tired, and stressed, you buy more. Before you head to the
grocery store, eat something. If you are upset or feeling a little
blue, calm yourself down or wait until you feel better before you
head out to shop. As funny as it may sound, having a clear mind
is important when it comes to shopping and spending money.
25. Make your Own Gifts
If you ask people if they prefer a store bought or handmade gift,
the majority would choose the latter. Handmade gifts are
individualized and come from the heart.
When you have a birthday, anniversary, baby shower, wedding, or
Christmas gift to give, make the gift. For Christmas, you could
make a beautiful ornament or door wreath, for a baby shower you
could purchase an inexpensive bib pattern and make special bibs,
or for a wedding, you could create a wonderful album of photos
showing the couples dating life.
Other great options include making homemade hot chocolate,
soaps, candles, or lotions and placing them in inexpensive glass
containers or baskets purchased at a thrift shop. If you use a
mason jar, add foam and fabric under the lid for added color, use
a label to write the contents and a message of endearment, and
wrap a nice piece of ribbon around the ridge. The options are
endless, so get creative.
26. Barter System
Gather friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers and set up a
bartering system. Offer babysitting to one family in exchange for
them mowing your lawn or offer to clean someone’s house in
exchange for a week of car-pooling your child to school. You
would be amazed at the opportunities and the money that can be
saved using a bartering system.
27. Matinee
Do you love the movies but hate the prices?
Switch your nighttime show to the late afternoon or early evening
matinee. The price is about 50% less and when taking an entire
family, that is a nice savings.
Pop your own popcorn, put in a plastic bag, and place in a large
purse and make or buy your own candy, leaving only drinks to
buy.
Food at the theater is outrageously priced.
The next time that you head to the movies, hit the matinee, stuff
those jellybeans and licorice sticks in your purse, and enjoy the
savings. Also, check for movie tickets online, which can be
discounted.
28. Comparison Shop
Comparison-shopping can make a big difference in the price you
pay. You might be looking at a barbecue grill at one place for
$350.00 and by making two more stops, find the exact grill or one
comparable for $300. In addition, consider the price of items
assembled versus unassembled. For example, you might find the
barbecue grill unassembled for $250. A couple of hours of “fun”
assembling the grill is certainly worth a $100 saving.
29. Stop Competing with the Jones’
You do not have to compete with anyone. Be proud of what you
have and who you are. If you can only afford an inexpensive sofa
from a thrift store, find a nice throw, make a few pillows, and be
proud and thankful.
Competitiveness is a part of nature and to a degree, healthy.
However, when competition creates a buying war to see who can
have the “best” when they have no business buying at all, then it
becomes damaging. Stick to what you can afford regardless of
what anyone else has or pressure you might be feeling.
30. Sales Clerk Compliments
Sales clerks are often paid on commission. Therefore, when you
walk into a store and try on an expensive suit, you can be
guaranteed you will hear several times over how wonderful you
look, how great that suit fits you, etc.
Because this is how the clerks make their money, they will say
whatever it takes to make the sale. You probably do look good
but do not allow yourself to be pressured into buying something
beyond your means.
Know what you want, the price range you can work with, and stick
with your own rules, not theirs.
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