10 Easy Budget Hacks Many people find the process of devoting hours and hours to thinking about money, budget planning, and spending less than enjoyable. If that sounds like you, then use these 10 budget hacks to make budgeting and reaching your financial goals much easier. 1. Only use cash for spending money. You can’t overspend your budget for groceries, entertainment or clothing if you only allow yourself to use cash. 2. Keep a list of frivolous “wants.” When you want something you don’t need, don’t just let yourself buy it—write it down. At the end of the month, review your list and cross off all the stuff that no longer appeals to you. Then decide whether you can afford what’s left.
By Dennis M. Postema
3. Don’t shop sales, search them. Instead of going shopping and browsing sales, then buying things you don’t really need because they’re cheap, search for sale prices on things you know you need.
of your debt. Make this even easier by setting up auto deposits to your savings and auto payments to your credit cards.
5. Cross financial goals off your list as you achieve them. Realizing that you’re slowly but surely reaching your financial goals is the best way to stay motivated.
9. Borrow, don’t buy. Instead of buying everything you want or need, try to borrow it. From library books to outfits for a one-time formal event, there are many things you may be able to borrow rather than buy.
8. Don’t add any more debt unless it’s a real, true emergency. If you keep 4. Keep a list of your financial spending more than you goals in your wallet. Pull the earn, you’ll keep adding list out and read it anytime more debt to your life and you start feeling the itch to you’ll find it much harder to spend. reach your financial goals.
6. Try out those budgeting phone apps. But only the free ones. 10. Make your own foods. Breakfast, lunch and 7. Pay yourself first. Every dinner can all be much payday, your first step should less expensive, and much be to contribute to your healthier, if you make them savings and pay off a little bit yourself.