Are you Kidding? Money was always a problem for me.
I bought something if I liked it.
This is a sure way to end up in the Poor House. God bless them, there aren't any debtors' prisons.
Anymore. Ok, we need to get in shape! So let get after it.
At first, it can be hard to learn how to stick to a budget. This can be a big worry if you're used to spending money without much thought. The first step, of course, is to set up a budget and some rules to help you stick to it. Make sure that all costs are taken into account. Don't forget to put aside some money for fun if you can. Once you have a good budget, you can set some rules to help you stick to it.
Getting rid of cash is one of the best ways to stay on budget. Most of us can't say no when we're shopping and see signs advertising different things for 99 cents. It's only a few dollars here and there. The money adds up quickly, and before you know it, your twenty dollars are gone. If you don't carry cash, you won't be able to buy things on the spot. If you still want to carry cash, the best thing to do is only take as much as you need. Make a rough estimate of how much your food will cost. Only bring that much with you. This will make you less likely to buy too much, which can throw you off your budget.
Always shop with a list to help you avoid spending money you don't need to. If you make a grocery list every week or every two weeks, you will only buy the food you need. Or, make a list of the things you need to clean and stick to those aisles. If you let yourself wander around a store without a plan, you give yourself the chance to be tempted to buy other things. It can be hard to stick to a budget when there are so many things you want.
Save money when you shop. There's no harm in looking at coupons. Even saving a few cents on each purchase can add up to big savings in the long run. Another way to find things you need and save money is to look in stores' clearance sections. You might be surprised at how much you can take home and still have money in your pocket when you leave.
Self-control is what it takes to stick to a budget. It means resisting the urge to buy things you don't need. If you have trouble stopping your shopping habit, bring a friend or family member with you when you go shopping. Someone you can count on to keep you from doing bad things. As long as you avoid being tempted to buy things, make a list, and only shop in the necessary aisles, you won't lose track of your budget needs.
When you finally beat your shopping fears, you'll feel good about yourself. It's nice to be able to go shopping with a list and not get swayed by the sale signs. You'll also feel great about what you've done. Don't let that stress you out. Instead, get a pen and paper and stay on track with your budget.
