11/08/2025
Smart Spending & Money Tips
1. Master the “Pause Before Purchase” Rule
• If it’s not an urgent necessity, wait 24–48 hours before buying.
• This cools off impulse urges and helps you realize if it’s actually worth the money.
2. Give Every Dollar a Job
• Use a “zero-based” budget where you assign each dollar to a purpose — spending, saving, investing, or debt payoff.
• This makes it harder for money to disappear into “miscellaneous” spending.
3. Apply the 50/30/20 Guideline
• 50%: Needs (housing, food, utilities)
• 30%: Wants (entertainment, hobbies, travel)
• 20%: Savings & debt repayment
You can adjust percentages based on your goals.
4. Calculate “Cost per Use”
• When buying something non-essential, divide the price by how many times you’ll realistically use it.
• Example: $200 shoes worn 200 times = $1 per use (worth it). $200 gadget used twice = $100 per use (maybe skip it).
5. Hunt for “Silent Expenses”
• Review subscriptions, unused memberships, and auto-renewals every month.
• If you forgot you had it, cancel it immediately.
6. Automate the Good Stuff
• Set up auto-transfers to savings or investments right after payday — before you see the money in your spending account.
7. Separate Your “Spending Zones”
• Keep a separate debit/credit card for fun purchases.
• When it’s empty for the month, your “fun budget” is done — no guilt, no overspending.
8. Spend on What You Truly Value
• Cut aggressively on things that don’t matter to you, and spend freely (within reason) on things that do.
• Example: If you don’t care about fancy clothes, skip them and use that money for travel or experiences you love.
9. Use the “Future Self” Test
• Before buying, ask: “Will my future self thank me for this, or roll their eyes?”
10. Plan for “Expected Surprises”
• Car repairs, medical bills, holiday gifts — they’re not if, they’re when.
• Create a sinking fund for these so they don’t wreck your budget.