Five Tips To Keep You From Spending All Your Cash

So, you’re having trouble keeping cash off the counter and in your pockets?

Good thing you’re about to get five free tips on how to keep from spending all your hard earned dollars.

Tip #1: Keep a difficult-to-open piggy bank around.

Let’s face it, if it is harder to open, you’re less likely to be spending that money. Don’t like having a bulky piggy bank on display? No problem. Just put it in a cupboard or a sock drawer, pulling it out only to feed it. Your money will accumulate over time and you can eventually raid porky for something you really desire.

Tip #2: Open a bank account.

What if you’re too old to be harbouring a piggy bank? Bank accounts are a good way of keeping track of your money. (I know, it’s such an adult thing to do! Plus, you get a card - even more grown up.) Banks also allow you to have separate accounts. You could open one for saving and another for spending. You may decide to divide your earnings fifty-fifty, ensuring you always have some money in the bank while still having a bit to spend on fun stuff. (Being an adult with a bank account doesn’t mean you lose out on fun.)

Tip #3: Whenever you go to make a purchase, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?”

Chances are you’re about to make an impulse buy you really don’t need. Therefore, stopping and thinking about such a purchase can save you quite a bit of money in the long run.

Tip #4: Consider your ‘free’ options.

If what you’re in the market for is a smaller item - such as a book you want to read or the latest Hunger Games movie on DVD - there are free options available. A lot of people forget - and this is really quite sad - that they have libraries at their disposal and, get this, you can borrow from them. You don’t need to spend any money; you can simply borrow what you want as many times as you want, and not waste a cent.

Tip #5: Just be smart with your money.

While it’s great to constantly buy food when going out, remember that you may want something else later on down the track. You can have a great time; just remember to keep some of that cash for later, so you don’t run out. You never know when you may need it.

Photo: iStock.

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