Saving money is one of the biggest struggles facing many Americans. Debt aside, saving money for even those that are 
not in debt is a goal for most families. The battle between saving vs. spending is a never ending one. The bottom line is that unrestrained spending continues to plague Americans, even in the face of one of the worst economic downturns in the last century.
Despite the often times reasonable justifications, whether it’s school fundraisers, your Aunt Ruth’s 80th birthday bash, the group gift for your boss or the specialty sneakers that are a necessity for the track meet next week, all of those seemingly justifiable expenditures prevent people from saving and cause them to pick up the plastic to get the need met.
Just when you think that you have control over your expenses you get that baby shower invitation in the main that will eventually cost you another $25.00 regardless of whether you attend or not. Debt can be considered a causality of living in a materialistic world. It can very quickly creek up on the unsuspecting. The unexpected use of the credit card is a major cause of the debt that plaques many Americans. There are a few easy ways to keep the unexpected credit card expenses down.
Vow to Take Control of Your Spending
Always keep your goal of saving at the front of your mind. When things that cost money come hurling at you all at once its easy to thrown up your hands in defeat and decide that this is not the best time to try and save money. There will always be that unplanned expense that comes your way. Take control of your expenses, don’t let them control you. Don’t be so quick to pick up the credit card to immediately take care of unnecessary expenses. There may just be some things that you can’t afford to do, decide which expenses are necessary and use your credit card only for non optional expenses.
Don’t Lose Sight of Saving
If you can’t save the same amount or in the same way every month, it is not considered defeat - it is simply a change of plans. A change in plans can automatically result in a money saving situation. If you vowed not to use your credit card until you got the balance down but need to get the lawn mower fixed this month, figure out a different way to save. Consider eliminating the pizza and movie Fridays and do something less costly this month.
Think Twice Before Making a Purchase
When the unsuspecting money sucker comes your way look it individually and decide if this is something that is a necessary expense. If the answer is yes then decide what you can afford. Consider your options before taking out the plastic. Can you consider a group gift? If the items on the register are too expensive, is there a cheaper alternative? Can you go to the local department store and pay cash as opposed to charging on-line? If your expenses are heavy this month because of the unplanned things that have come your way, charging them may make next month even worse.
Learn to Say No
Saying no to unnecessary things is the biggest way to save money. You don’t have purchase cookies from every Girl Scout that tries to sell them to you, you don’t have to serve steak at every family barbecue or attend every after-hours work function, especially if these things are costing you money. Learn to say no when saying yes is becomes too expensive.
Considering the rising cost of living in an economy that is unstable and unpredictable saving money is contently put on the back-burner because the need to spend it seems insatiable. Credit cards are the first thing most people turn to when unexpected expenses arise. Changing this pattern can not only reduce credit card debt but can become a way to save without even realizing it.
Similar Posts:
- Emily’s list: Not enough for retirement edition
- No Nonsense Advice on Overspending
- Emily’s list: Holiday countdown edition
- Credit Card Debt Relief For the Holiday Season
- Emily’s list: Going on a spending fast edition
Tags: Americans, Plague Americans
Recent Comments