If one of your goals for the year is to save more and eliminate debt in your life, then learning to live within your means is what you need to know.
To live within your means, the basic principle is to spend less than you earn. These points ought to help though:
Have a budget
Do you have an actual, written budget? Most of us just have some vague ideas on how we spend money in our heads. That’s you never know where your money disappears to.
Track your expenses
Many salary earners live for the day their salary comes in. It quickly goes downhill from there until they have to borrow money to tide them over. It’s a vicious cycle you have to make the decision to end right away. The first step is to track your expenses. Get a book in which you write down all of your expenses. This helps you know where your money is going so you can take note of frivolous expenses you’ll need to get rid of.
Stop buying things on credit
Buying things on credit can help to justify impulse purchases. It doesn’t do a thing to help you live within your means either. So if it’s not necessary, and you can’t afford it, then you don’t need it.
Make more money
Really, we need money to live well. And it’s easier to live within your means when you’re making more money. Solution? Ask for a promotion, look for a better paying job, or look for a really good side hustle.
Put your ATM cards away
You know something else that supports impulse buying? It’s paying for stuff with your card. It’s just so easy and convenient that you almost forget that it’s your money that’s being deducted. Operating a cash-only system like the envelope method automatically checks that desire to spend extra.