If you live in New York, you know just how much cigarettes cost these days. LORD. Not only would quitting this nasty habit help your health, it will help your wallet in the long run. If you smoke, take the time to sit back and write down how many packs you purchase a week– do the math. $35.00 a week? Yea…I know that pain. Luckily, I have cut down a LARGE amount, which makes my parents and my boyfriend very happy. I feel much better than usual. As of right now, I have 33 hours cigarette free. It’s tough, but it’s worth it.
What about all the money you spend on alcohol? Sit back down and add up all the drinks you had at the bar last night. LE SIGH. That’s the kicker isn’t it? When you think about it, you could drop over $100.00 in a single night, and not even remember it. Now, I’m always up for a good night at the bar, but let’s get real. We’re spending money on cigarettes and alcohol only to not remember the “great” night you had and feed into a life in the fast lane. Think about the amount of money you have, and how much you spend on items that will ultimately be bad for you.
Over my birthday weekend, I was able to go out for a couple meals, and found myself penny pinching in order to be able to eat lunch today.
Goal for today: Spend only what I need to. Don’t indulge in the pretty things you pass by in the windows. Make today a “healthy” saving day. Fight the urge. We’ll do this together!
I must say, I am relieved I was able to spend some time away from technology for a bit and have a wonderful weekend with my two roommates from college and the rest of my friends for my birthday weekend!
Anyway, I’m back at blogging and I have a couple awesome ideas brought to you by my friend Lindsay and my boyfriend, Michael. While taking a drive around Long Island, I asked Lindsay to download a couple songs from my iTunes account. She noticed my credit card was connected to my account, which I thought was easy access to download a song or movie. Lindsay told me her trick to try and save some money, because it does add up! If you buy a gift card, or you only use a gift card that was given to you, you are able to track your spending so much easier. This way, if your gift card runs out, you will realize how much you have spent when updating your music library.
Believe me, I get it. Sometimes a song (of five) get stuck in your head, and all you want to do is put them on replay and jam out in your car or room. Don’t give in!!! The little charges on your card aren’t worth it! After buying a couple albums on iTunes, you start to realize that having the latest music will in fact ruin your balance on your account.
I went to work today for the afternoon shift, so I was able to intercept the mail today before my parents were home from work. No sure why I am so secretive about what I buy, since it is my money, but I am…One of my two orders from etsy.com came in today, and I do not have shopper’s remorse about it…SO I decided I would share it! Although pointless to someone who is trying to save money, it seemed perfect for me!
I am the type of girl who loves monograms, so I am always on the lookout for cute monogram items. This was no exception…the price was wonderful PLUS the color/font choices were to die for. I recommend anyone who loves preppy-ish styles for clothing or accessories to check her out! I have my fix for right now, but the affordable price and the cuteness factor make it hard not to buy! Even if I am trying to save money, I can still budget in order to remain satisfied.
How many of you drop change in the car and never find it again? Think about the amount of change you have dropped and try and add it up in your head. Coins are money too! Several banks and grocery stores have change cashing machines on the premises that can take your “pesky” change and give you a receipt for paper bills! Go through your pockets, purses, and car cup holders and gather all your change! You would be surprised how much there is on the floor in your backseat!
I’m sure I am preaching to the choir…since you are looking to save money…and you found my blog…BUT sometimes the simplest things go unnoticed. Don’t think you are the only one cashing in on your loose change. Plenty of my friends and family do this in order to have an extra $20 in his or her wallet. Don’t be embarrassed.
If you try to rationalize that pair of shoes you have up on the next tab on your browser, think about the extra $10 or $15 that is lying around in quarters and dimes in the bottom of your purse or in the back pocket of your jeans. If you want to save your change, get a large mug or cup and drop a couple coins in each day. In a week or two, you will have a full cup! (This also goes for my other tip…using cash instead of your debit card)
Have you thought about my question from my previous post? What do you spend money on each day?
I’ll list my items:
Coffee- $3.25 or $5.79 (depending on Dunkin or Starbucks)
Lunch/Dinner- $12.00- $20.00 (depending on where I eat)
My goal for this weekend: make my lunch/dinner at home.
Since my boyfriend lives so far away from me, I am always on the lookout for cute little things to send him. Unfortunately, those small things end up being much larger purchases. I consider my weakness as another lesson learned.
Lesson learned: do NOT go onto any shopping website with free shipping if you are attempting to save money.
As for what I purchased for my boyfriend, that will remain under wraps due to him reading this 🙂 BUT I will say, I was proud of the “bargain” I got for what I bought. But…gifts are selfless right?
On the bright side, I have walked in and out of my local drug and beauty stores and not bought a single nail polish! This does not mean I haven’t thought about it. But, I learned that if I bring a friend along, I will not purchase out of guilt. Not the best reasoning, but better than spending frivolous money on items I didn’t need. Looking through my collection, I found I have over 30 bottles of Essie nail polish from different collections and for different seasons. I have justified thus far every bottle as an essential part of my collection.
When you get the itch to go shopping, clean your room. I swear it works! If you are as messy as I can be, cleaning off a chair filled with clothing can almost be like shopping, without hurting your wallet. You tend to find things that have been out of your sight for weeks! This goes for periodically cleaning out your dresser and refolding clothing. You are able to rotate your clothes and find a piece that you forgot you had! Sometimes, I am able to go through my whole dresser and find items you never even wore! Last night, I found 3 pairs of Gap pants that I completely forgot I bought, and was able to create fantastic outfits with them! This was from yesterday:
OOTD: Gap Neon Pink Khaki, Chiffon sleeveless shirt from Urban Outfitters and Jack Rogers Platinum sandals.
The benefits of cleaning out your room are endless. You are able to dive into an abyss filled with clothing and come out with a clean, organized room AND “new” clothes! This also goes for “taking inventory” of your make-up and jewelry collection. I am the biggest repeat offender of keeping make-up I don’t use. It’s like I have separation anxiety from it. GET OVER IT AND THROW IT OUT! If it’s old, past it’s expiration date, the wrong color, broken, or empty…throw it OUT! Don’t take up space with items you do not use.
Jewelry is a little bit tricky when it comes to taking inventory. I suggest separating items into expensive and cheap, costume types. After you have done that, examine each piece and determine if there are any broken parts, and if it is worth getting it repaired. If not, throw it out. If you like what’s on the necklace, take the pendants off and save them for a potential future project. As for expensive pieces, hang them or store them away from other pieces. This way, they do not have the potential to be tangled…and you can see everything clearly.
Stay tuned for more ideas…and try your hardest not to spend today!
After a 2 day hiatus of not spending any money I didn’t have to, I broke down and went online shopping on Wanelo. Oops…Luckily, for my wallet, I only bought something for $7.00. Afterwards, I had the worst shopper’s remorse and contemplated returning the item before it got to my house. But, I decided it had been something I wanted, and I justified keeping it. Feel free to give me a judgement face! I’m judging my weakness as well.
However, this post is not all about my new fail. I do have my third tip for saving money. Take cash out instead of always swiping your debit or credit card. When you do this, you’re able to visually see your money depleting. It is an eye opening process that shows you just how much money you are spending in a day.
I used to be afraid that if I carried cash around with me, I was more at risk for getting mugged. This is probably the dumbest thing you can think! Even though there is more available money for someone to take, what are the chances a mugger knows you are indeed carrying cash?
Take a minute and look at your wallet right now. Ask yourself…how much money did I have in here last night? What did I spend it on? Was it worth it? If you can justify all your expenses, then you’re in the clear.
Ask yourself, is there anything that I DON’T have to spend money on?
2) Shop, but shop smart. Going to the mall is inevitable, but spending all your money is in your control! In order to stop draining your bank account, go with a friend who knows you’re trying to stop spending money. They will most likely stop you from justifying a dumb purchase. If they don’t, get new friends! Lol.
In my opinion, instant gratification is the sole issue with shopaholics. I want it now, if I don’t get it today…they will disappear forever. I have some news for you, they don’t disappear…and in 2 months, all of them will move to the sale shelf for half off. Get smart! Realize that the item you want can be on sale as fast at 2 weeks! Sometimes, the wait is worth it…because you are able either convince yourself you do NOT want the item anyway…or you can make a reasonable decision about the item.
Let’s do this together, guys! Let’s be rational and smart!
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