Are you a Spend thrift - or can you save? Tips on saving money!

Are you a Spender or Saver?

I have always wanted to have my own money. From the age of 12 I had a job - well sort of; I used to clean my Mum's offices. Even younger than that, I was always chasing my parents around asking them what I could do to earn some extra pocket money. Maybe it was because my parents often argued about money that it made me become very aware of the importance of having financial independence.

Of the money I received as gifts from my grandparents each year, I would try to save some in my bank account that was set up for me at school at the time. I would always make sure I put some money away for a "rainy day" - my Dad always spoke of that possible "Rainy Day" so I learnt to become a saver early on.

It wasn't until I had a job at school that paid me more than most of my friends ever earned that I started to spend a little more freely. I managed to get a job in a trendy clothing store whereas most of my friends had jobs at the local grocery store and they just didn't seem to pay the same. So earning that bit extra made me think "well I am already ahead compared to most my age, so I can spend a bit." But I still saved too.

It wasn't until I had scored a "Dream job" many years later that I became a little careless with money. Earning so much and taking for granted that it would always be there made me become a little too footloose and fancy-free!
If it hadn't been for my younger wiser days, I may have ended up in real trouble. Temptation to spend money when you know you really shouldn't can end up being a HUGE problem, so here are some tips to save!

Here are some tips to save some Money!

1. Ask your friends to call you at home or you call them at home rather on the mobile, no matter how convenient it may seem at the time! Those Mobile phone bills can make you gasp when they roll in!
   
   
2. Reinvent your wardrobe! Cut sleeves off a shirt to make it like those latest sleeveless tops. Go through your draws and see what you can mix and match. These days it isn't necessarily about what you wear, it's how you wear it! And stick to buying classic pieces that can continue to mix and match throughout the seasons.
   
   
3. Bring your own lunch. Vegemite and cheese sandwiches can be a bit of a non-event when it comes to lunchtime. But bring your own lunch does not have to mean this. These days you can buy some fabulous healthy low fat cook-in-container pasta's, soups and rice snacks. There is always the option of last night's leftovers to bring in or you can bring some fruit, cheese and biscuits - the list and possibilities are endless. What it comes down too is motivation! So get motivated!
   
   
4. Budget. I know, I know, budgeting is such a boring thought and no one wants to sit and work out exactly what their annual expenses are, but If you do it - trust me, it will help so much more. You will be able to keep track far more accurately of what you have to spend and what you don't.
   
   
5. Eat in, not out! Cook for yourself rather than paying someone else to do it for you. Try hard to resist being lazy and going out for dinner! Go and do some grocery shopping and cook for yourself!
   
   
6. Rent Movies instead of going to the movies. Going to the movies these days is becoming incredibly unaffordable. For two adults it is nearly $30 - compared to a video or DVD that usually cost anywhere between $5 and $7.
   
   
7. Don't give into little temptations. When you are trying to save, avoid going into shopping centres where the temptations are so great! If you are a sucker for little treats like ice creams and milkshakes, try making them yourself at home!
   
   
8. Keep a Piggy Bank. Put all those spare coins in there and you'll be surprised at how quickly you can have saved a decent amount of money. I saved up over $500 with my Piggy Bank once!
   
   
9. Get motivated and start walking & running rather than pay for a gym membership or personal trainer. Decide to meet with a friend to go walking if you cannot motivate yourself.
   
   
10. Don't spend so much on gifts or drop off some of the gift giving altogether. Explain to those closest to you that you are a bit hard up for cash. Often the people who love you and who are your true friends will understand and will appreciate just a card or a small gift. Handmade cards can be wonderful as can making someone a gift, even baking them a cake!
    
    
11. Separate your accounts - this will help you to not get all excited when you see a nice fat bank balance, therefore tempting you to spend what you are trying to save! If you can't see it, then the temptation won't be there!
    

- Michelle Palmer