How can I save money instead of spending it?

How do i save money without spending it? ?

• I get allowences but i waste them how can i save money without spending it. :/

• Answer:

  Jamara, you are not alone. Almost everyone has had problems with understanding how to balance what they spend with what they save. My suggestion is this. First, pick something that you want. It is hard to save when you don't have a goal. Whether it is to save for a car, an X-Box or a retirement plan, you need to have some end goal in mind so that you can feel as though the money you are saving has VALUE because it is being saved. Second, ask someone for help. I am 35, and I still do this. In fact, I wish I had started doing it a a much younger age. Go to your parent and tell them, I know you gave me $20, but I want you to keep $5. I am saving it for xxx and I don't want you to give me the money unless I am buying that particular thing (or there is an emergency). When you do this, it removes the pressure of thinking that spending it is an option. You no longer are calculating that $5 when you make a buying decision. Finally, use a change box. Take a piggy-bank, old bottle or box and put all of your loose change (even dollars) in the box at the end of the day. Having it visually out of sight is not as effective as giving it to someone else, but you don't feel the pain as much either. A few quarters and dimes each day really adds up. After a few months you won't believe the feeling when you count it up and realize that you have so much money set aside. I hope this helps, but remember - being broke it o.k. Being in debt is NOT. Just because you gave $5 to your parent doesn't mean you can borrow $5 from a friend and use the savings to pay them later. Good luck!