All you have to do, to save money every month, is write down what you spend and save your receipts. It's that simple.
Why Saving Is A Pain In The Ass
Budget and saving are two words that make many women cringe--especially if you love to shop. Likewise, the sight of Susie Orman sometimes makes me gag. She's always telling people to save, save, save, and not spend money. She gets on my nerves, but I have to admit she's right. We do need to manage our money (#7), because heaven forbid the car breaks down or there's a co-pay due. All these infomercials and articles on money management can be a hard sell for a fashionista with more assets in the closet than the bank. Besides, do you want to go to work every day and not reap the benefits of your labor?
How To Stop Eating Your Money and Start Saving It
I love to travel, keep my shoe game right, and hit up MAC every now and then. I work hard, so I'm going to do these things, but not at the expense of my mortgage, light bill, or car insurance. The only way I can take care of business, and still "do me," is by writing down everything I buy. I have expense envelopes (Franklin Covey- but any will do), and I write down EVERYTHING (excluding regular bills), and I put the receipts in the envelop. When I started keeping track, I was amazed by how much money I ate. I literally spent more money on food than on anything else. I didn't realize it because it was usually $2 here $5 there. It adds up so quickly. By the time, I calculated fast food stops, misc. purchases, and the "can you help me" gifts (I don't do loans), I was spending more than $200 dollars a month. That's money I could put in my savings account.
Sit Back and Watch it Grow
Keeping track of my spending allows me to save, enjoy the things I like to do, and not feel stretched or guilty. The other added benefit, is by keeping my receipts in one place, I know where they are if I need to return something---another way to keep cash in my pocket. Life is for living, and I don't believe you have to be Oprah to do it. Find a simple way to take care of what you have NOW, and you can still be on top of your shoe game.
Do you have any money saving tips you can share?
Love
Hillerie Camille
Posts
4 comments:
Thanks gurl, now that I have two kids, I tend to look for deals. But hey don't we all.
Lisa xx
An under-utilized tool that people forget about are flexible spending accounts. Depending on the amount that you designate per year, you can ultimately recover almost all of your out-of-pocket healthcare costs and up to $5,000 for dependent care costs. As long as you keep the receipts, you're able to collect the money that you've paid out throughout the year. I know some people who use their spending accounts as a way to save up and buy Christmas gifts! Just a thought...
Thanks Gaea! We have to hear more from you about that. Hmmmm guest post?
Hmmm... Maybe! LOL
Post a Comment