5 Easy Ways to Avoid Debt at the Mall

Whenever you go to the mall, it is a common experience to swipe your credit card or pay immediately in cash when you see something that you really want. After your purchase, that’s when you realize that you have a lot of bills to pay and you do not have enough money to pay them. If this has become a habit, then you should clearly get rid of it.

Changing a bad habit like this is easy. Here are some suggestions for you to start with.

Do not bring your credit or debit card.
It is easy to spend on things that you do not really need when you are not worrying about money. Debit or credit cards give you a certain sense of security, although temporary, in such a way that you can literally buy anything that you see with just a swipe of the card. If you are this kind of shopper, then it is not surprising that you are having problems with money. Next time, leave your cards at home when you go to the mall.

Make a list of items to buy. Set a budget for it.
Shopping makes everyone happy. However, this happiness that many feels turns to worry when they see their credit card bills. If you want to avoid spending too much and in turn incur debts, manage your finances wisely. Set a shopping budget, whether it’s for grocery or for the holidays, make a list of your things to buy, and stick to them.

Pay in cash.
Since you have made a list and you have set a budget for it, you know how much money you would be spending. It is easy to overspend when you do not know how much money you still have. When you overspend, that is when you start accumulating debts; that when you maximize your credit limit. As much as possible, since you already have an idea of the amount that you should spend, pay in cash. Paying in cash means you do not have to worry paying your purchase in the future unlike when you pay using your credit card.

Bring enough money only.
It is easy to get tempted to buy an item if you have extra cash. It’s like having a credit card. You know that you have money to buy that item so your tendency is to purchase it immediately without thinking that the dollars that you used will be used to pay other things.

Do not buy on a rush.
Be a smart buyer. Smart buyers think twice before purchasing an item. They check the competition, compare prices and buy necessary items only. They are great in looking for bargains. If you are a smart buyer, you do not readily buy an item unless you are sure that you need it. In turn, smart buyers do not swipe their cards in an instant just to purchase a pair of jeans that they do not really need.

Avoiding debts at the mall is not as difficult as many think it is. Follow these steps and surely, you will never ever have to worry about incurring debts while in the mall.

How to save money when eating out

It is quite expected and understandable that when you decide to eat out, you are prepared to spend a reasonable amount of money. After all, there may be a particular reason for eating out. However, spending too much on food in places outside your home can be avoided. Yes, it is still possible to save money when eating out. Listed below are some of the tips for doing so.

Be a coupon fanatic
There are some restaurants which offer coupons when you visit their websites online. Thus, it can be a good habit to check for those promos every now and then in order to get good deal for a meal. There are also certain websites specifically created to offer coupons for various restaurants, etc.

Share and Split
Many restaurants offer a big serving of their food. It may even be big enough for just one person to eat. Thus, share the food with another person, and split the expenses. This is one way to make sure that your spending for that meal is controlled.

The Best Day
Go to a restaurant which offers a good deal in certain days of the week. Most likely, this is during those days where little patronage is expected.

Skip Desserts
Desserts, though sometimes of a smaller portion than a whole meal course, can also be expensive. If you need to close your appetite with something sweet, visit an ice cream parlor and enjoy the many flavors there as an alternative.

Set your budget
Before you even go out, set the limited maximum amount of money you are planning to spend. Then, work on this budget.

Indeed, eating out is still possible even when under a tight budget. Carefully choosing the restaurant, as well as the food to be eaten can prove to be a rewarding experience. Yes, eating out is affordable!

Penny Saving Goals for 2013

Penny-pinching isn't just for Uncle Scrooges and misers of this world. In this time of uncertainties and economic crunch, setting aside some money is a wise thing to do.  But we're not talking about being a miser here. We're talking about penny-savings. Saving money isn't a niggardly close-fisted thing to do -- it's about saving pennies to be able to live your dreams. Save for the right reason – for education, for travel, for getting into a hobby. Save for anything to boost life in general --- and you will realize you can actually pull it off.

Begin by paying all your debts. Make it a goal to wipe out all your credit card debts each time the bill comes. Imagine four empty jars in front of you once your income arrives. One jar is for paying off your debts, one for investment – buying stocks perhaps or investment for house, one for spending – your daily needs – and one for saving for a short-term goal.

Trim down your long-term savings goals into smaller goals. Save to pay for a quarter of your mortgage perhaps? Save for a dream vacation maybe? Save for something that will enhance your life.

Save for something that motivates you…something that will work for you. Something you want to do badly—identify your hot button, so to speak. What makes you tick? Find that out and that is the trick in becoming a successful penny saver.

If you have the set things in mind, it's easy to become disciplined in saving at least 5 to 10% of your income. It's not going to be easy at first but think of why you're doing it and if you don't do it, ask yourself who will do it for you?

Of course, take on a frugal life. Know your priorities. And prioritize your savings. Do not let consumerism eat you up. Spend within your means. You've heard this before but this principle rings true – live within your means. Don't spend more than you earn. Make it a goal to spend less than you earn. Maintain this lifestyle even if you get a higher-paying job.

You'll be pleasantly surprised where these penny-saving tips can bring you. Make 2013, a penny-saving year for you and your family.