As all of us know and as all of us have heard over and over, we are facing a sad and tragic economic time. And with all the advice that has been shared with all citizens, many of us easily forget the advice and warnings and still spend unnecessarily. However, with self discipline and a realization that much of our spending goes to un-necessities rather than necessities, we can save for our selves and loved ones. This article may not help save the economic crisis, but it will hopefully help us, as individuals, find ways to save and limit the stress of paying our bills and limit the fear of living pay check to pay check.
Once you make this list, there is a high chance that you will feel "down" or "depressed" at the thought that you may have to give up or at least limit the money spent on unnecessary daily elements. If you feel this emotion, just tell yourself, the necessary items in my life may not always be there, while the unnecessary elements in my life will always be there. I control what I buy, what I buy does not control me. The next steps are a few examples of some unnecessary items that cause many Americans to lose money.
Once you come to the realization that you are over spending on unnecessary materials, it is important to make a list of all the necessary items and unnecessary items that you buy in a day, not a monthly list, but a daily list. The daily list will allow you to see what you spend in a day, and then that day can be multiplied by the days in the week, and then, the amount from the week can be multiplied by the number of weeks in a month, and then, you can see the amount of money that goes into many unnecessary daily items, and then you can further see how much is subtracted from your monthly income. And once you realize where your money is going, then you can spend on the necessary items with less stress.
Almost every person feels that they need caffeine in the morning. Believe me, I am one of those people who need my caffeine in the morning, and I refuse to believe that I can go without it. Well, if you are as stubborn as me, and I am a Leo, so I am stubborn, then ask yourself this, do I get my caffeine fix at the coffee shops almost everyday? If the answer is "yes," than ask yourself, can I live without going to the coffee shops almost every morning? The answer more than likely is "yes," and if it is, then try purchasing your coffee (and flavored coffee) at the grocery store to brew at home in the mornings. Most coffee shops charge anywhere from $3.00-$5.00 for coffee. Now, many individuals who go to these shops usually think, "it is only $4.00." Well multiply that $4.00 by 5 days out of the week, and the total comes to $20.00 a week. Now, multiply that $20.00 a week by 4 weeks in a month, and the total now becomes $80.00 a mon th. Now, subtract the $80.00 a month from your monthly income, and when you get the total, think about some of the necessities that you did need but could not afford. Moreover, think about whether or not your job is on the line or if you are living pay check to pay check. After all your necessities are paid for, you may have the $80.00 to play with, but would it not be better to save it for emergencies?
The first thing you need to do is realize when you are over spending your money on unnecessary items. You can come to this realization when you begin to feel stressed about your finances, and if you become stressed over your finances, then chances are you are spending money on unnecessary items, when you could be focusing on the necessities stress free. The necessities are paying the bills on time and not living with the fear of living pay check to pay check. It is further important to fully realize when you are over spending on un-necessary materials if you feel that your job may be in jeopardy.
What about smokers? The average smoker smokes about a pack of cigarettes a day; the average pack of cigarettes is $7.00. Take that $7.00 multiply it by at least 5 days in a week and the total is $35.00 a week; now take that $35.00 a week and multiply that by 4 weeks in a month, and the total is $140.00 a month; now take that $140.00 a month and subtract it from your monthly income. And once again, if you are a coffee house person, a person who likes some drinks during the evenings, and a smoker, then take $80.00 for coffee, $72.00 for drinks, and $140.00 for cigarettes, add it all up, and the total is $292.00 now subtract that from your monthly earnings. Are you still stressed about not being able to make your necessary payments on time? So, if you do smoke and refuse to quite, try to limit the amount of cigarettes you have a day, or better yet, try harder to quit by realizing how much money you lose, not to mention health.
Another unnecessary item the many people choose to spend money on is alcohol. Yes, sometimes after that hard and stressful day at work and/ or school, a nice cool drink, such as a beer sounds great. And no, there is nothing wrong with an occasional drink for adults; however, many adults tend to over spend on this element and have a couple of drinks to relax regularly during the evenings. Well not only is this bad for the health, but it is also bad for the wallet, and while the wallet gets drained, you get drained from the stress of not being able to pay for the necessities. A six pack of beer or a cheap bottle of wine costs on the average $6.00. Once again, take $6.00 and multiply that by 3 days a week, and the total is $18.00 a week. Take the $18.00 a week and multiply that by 4 weeks in a month, and the total is $72.00 a month. Now, take that $72.00 a month and subtract that from your monthly income, and even worse if you are a coffee shop person in the mo rnings and like a few drinks about 3 times a week in the evenings, then take $80.00 from the coffee and $72.00 from the alcohol, add that up, and the total is $152.00 a month; now subtract that from your monthly earnings. Ouch!! that hurts; I know it would hurt me. And even worse, if you drink as much as you go to the coffee shops, well then, add more to the $72.00 a month.
评论