In the modern world, where temptations lurk at every step, many people face the problem of how not to spend their entire salary in the first days after receiving it?
This is especially true in the era of online shopping and contactless payments, when money seems to slip through our fingers.
Let's figure out how to learn to control your expenses and avoid financial stress.
Distribute the money immediately as intended
Imagine that you are the captain of a ship, and your task is to distribute provisions so that there is enough for the entire voyage.
As soon as the money arrives in the account, immediately set aside the necessary amounts for mandatory payments: rent, loans, taxes, insurance.
Create separate "virtual envelopes" or accounts for each category of expenses. This will help you clearly see how much money you have left to live on after paying off all your obligations.
Remember: any purchases can only be made after transferring money to each of the mandatory accounts. Consider this rule to be analogous to the law according to which you first lock the front door with a key, and only then call the elevator. Not the other way around.
Set aside a budget for spontaneous purchases
A complete ban on spontaneous purchases can lead to a breakdown, just as a strict diet often ends in weight gain.
There is a way out - set aside a small amount specifically for unplanned expenses. This could be 5-10% of your salary, which you can spend without remorse.
Create a separate account and call it, for example, "Money for Joy" or "Spontaneity Fund". Knowing that you have this "safety cushion" for small pleasures will make it easier for you to control other expenses. The main thing is that you can spend the funds from this account completely irrationally, without thinking about savings and benefits.
Don't rush to buy - look for the best price
When you see something you like, don't rush to buy it right away. Take a deep breath and give yourself time to think.
Take the time to shop around for the best price. Not only is it a way to save money, but it's also a chance to cool down and reconsider the need for a purchase.
If you are too lazy to search, perhaps you don't really need the item. And if you decide to buy the product a few days after your first "acquaintance" with it, it will be a conscious decision, not an impulsive act.
Add items to your Favorites instead of your Cart
Instead of immediately putting the product you like in the basket, add it to "Favorites". This way you will be able to monitor price changes and wait for a good offer.
In addition, during this time you will be able to assess whether you really need this thing or it is just a momentary whim.
If the products are in your favorites, you don't have to urgently decide what to do with them. Your brain is calm: there are no unfinished orders.
You can add at least a hundred products to this section and open it periodically. This will make it easier for you to track price dynamics and place orders during discount periods. Or delete products if you find that they no longer evoke emotions in you the next time you view them.
Consider alternative purchases
This method can be called the "What if?" game. When you are about to buy something, think about what else you could spend that money on.
For example, instead of a new jacket for 5,000 rubles, you could buy an annual gym membership, take an online course on a topic that interests you, or put that amount aside for a trip.
Don't limit your imagination. It's better to take a piece of paper or open a file and write down all the ideas that come to mind.
Choose which of these purchases will evoke the strongest emotional response in you. This approach will help you prioritize and understand what is truly important to you.
Remember that managing your finances is a skill that comes with practice. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right away. The key is consistency and paying attention to your habits.
Gradually, you will notice that you have become more conscious about your spending, and your budget has become more stable.
