If you’re underwater on your finances you may be getting frustrated from working hard and not having anything left over for fun at the end of the month. If this sounds familiar, take heart! You don’t have to go without everything you want in order to lose your debt; you just need to learn new spending habits so you don’t overdo it and end up eating ramen for days on end. Here are some tips to help you get through the rough spots on your road to achieving a debt-free life!
Make shopping lists. Sure, you’ve heard it before, but it really works. Advertisers spend big bucks tempting you to buy their products, so don’t fall for their strategy. Skip the impulse buying and stick to your shopping list to save big on the way out of the store. As extra incentive you can make a note on your phone of each impulse purchase you pass up, and see if you saved more than you spent!
Buy on sale. Grocery stores run the same specials every two to three weeks, so buy enough of your usual products to last until the next sales cycle. That way you’ll never pay full retail for the items you always use.
Look for deals. Clearance sales, overstocks, and specials can save you a big bundle, so keep an eye out for special offers on the things you really need. Often you can shop online catalogs and take advantage of “ship-to-store” specials, so you don’t have to pay extra for shipping and handling!
Think used. You don’t have to do without just because you can’t afford something new. Look for deals on online sales sites, resale shops, and consignment stores for gently used items that will be new to you.
Have patience. If you can wait a week or a month or more, the items you really want will most likely go on sale. It’s a fact of life in the retail world that everything goes on sale sooner or later, so window shop in advance with this factor in mind.
Good luck in your quest to become debt free!