11 Habits of a Wise Saver ...

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Before you can actually save anything substantial, make sure that you have paid off all your debts. There are many systems and practices to help you pay off your debt so look around to find one that best suits your situation.

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To ensure that you have savings, put away 10% of every paycheck that you receive. You can do this manually or by using an automatic transfer system.

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Bank interest is not much but with the passing of years, the amount can add up. Open an interest-earning savings account with a bank that you trust.

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Aside from the money in your savings account, you should also have a 3 to 6 month emergency fund. As with your paycheck, you can transfer money to this account manually or automatically. Use the money in your emergency fund for unforeseen events or when you happen to become unemployed.

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Using a credit card makes it so easy for you to spend and eventually acquire debt. Cancel and cut up your cards to stop the cycle of convenient spending and debt acquisition.

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Paying for everything in cash forces you to allocate enough money for the different categories in your budget. When you run out of cash for a certain category, then that means you have to stop spending.

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Payment plans usually add interest to the full amount of an item. Don’t think that because you are paying a small amount every month for half a year you are saving money. Add everything up and you will see that you have been actually paying more.

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Assess your daily, weekly, and monthly spending. Determine which expenses can be eliminated and then proceed to create a budget. I like to overestimate the amount a little bit to give room for adjustments.

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Look at your life right now and find out what it is that you really need. You will find that you don’t need a lot to enjoy and survive life. Live below your means and discover that you actually have a lot of money to put into your savings or emergency fund.

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Learn to determine whether you are actually saving money on a sale or bargain item. Better yet, choose to buy used when you can. Buying certain items used, rather than brand new, will help you save money.

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Eating out can slowly but surely drain your budget. Eliminate eating out or limit doing it on very special occasions. Cooking your own meals is healthier and can help you save money.

Please know that I am not a money or finance expert. I found out about these habits through reading blogs on the subject matter and through my own experience. These habits are just simple ways to get you on the road to saving money. You can consult websites, books, and experts for more detailed information on each habit. Just remember that once you decide to change your spending habits, you are also deciding to change your life.

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