Being able to handle money wisely is one of the few life skills that a person needs to learn if they want to live comfortably. Having the ability to save and the self-control to stick to a budget often proves useful. From a college girl's experience, there are a lot of temptations that make it hard to save. Here are a few Tips and tricks to help you through your financial dilemmas.
Know how to tell the difference between what you need and what you want
Shopping is very easy nowadays. With one click, you have access to millions of items online. Of course, you don't need all of these items but sometimes it can get confusing.
According to Maslow's 'Hierarchy of needs,' we cannot live without air, water, and food. Clothing and shelter will also keep us from the elements and away from illness. Although people need food and clothes, you do not necessarily need to buy that designer bag or that gourmet dish you can barely afford. Try to sort out what you really need from the things you merely want, by asking yourself whether you would still want that item after a month or so, or if you can live without it.
Look for ways to save up on purchases
Saving money also means that you should value every penny. For example, when you actually need a new pair of shoes, try and hunt for ones on sale. You don't have to compromise on the quality of the items you buy.
You just need to find ways in which you get the things you need and want at a cheaper rate. Cashback sites are also great options if you are fond of online shopping. These sites give a portion of your money back to you when you make a purchase online. Mall sales are also ideal if you wish to see great bargains. You should also make a budget plan and stick to it, no matter what.
You can try to punish yourself with things like eating your least favorite vegetable if you exceed your budget. If you can walk to a destination, ditch the transportation. Not only do you save money, you also get light exercise. And if you are in college, you should probably try to cook your own meals. You save a lot doing that, rather than having to buy your food all the time.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
You might think that your old shirts are scrap-worthy but you can actually search for a lot of DIY projects that can turn old clothes into trendy ones. You save money from having to buy a new shirt and also help the planet by recycling your things. The same applies to notebooks and used paper. If you don't want to recycle your paper yourself, you can sell it to people who make use of items like that. If you have old things that you no longer use, try to sell them off. Avoid being a pack rat.