I lack discipline in that department.

Don't be a woman. Check

Any other tip?
What do u do to save $$? How do u stop yourself from pulling out the debit card?
HELP ME, WHORE!!!!

lol ok

Don't use credit cards either - ever.

Not that I'm the best to receive advice from since I am poor, but I would suggest spending only cash for things and not carrying around any credit cards or debit cards. That will keep you from spending unless you absolutely have to. You could also set aside money from your paycheck each week to a separate account that you will attempt to not steal from. Use it to build an emergency fund or save $$ toward something.

All good tips. I just have to resist the urges to spend

You can still get all the things you want and not spend the money.

It's called stealing. Very popular with criminals.

Do I really need it?

Yes: Find a cheap version of it, purchase.
No: Go home.

Post nude pictures of a famous star-go 100 years in prison for it- you wont spend that much money anymore.

Watching Fight Club can prove inspirational.

"Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate, so we can buy shit we don't need."

"Don't use credit cards" is the best advice possible. For many years, I had a zero balance on my cards.

Unfortunately, the economy has hurt me too, and now I owe money on my credit cards, but it's for necessities. You know you're doing poorly when you use a credit card to buy groceries.

Along with the other tips, work more. When I used to have part-time jobs, the more free time I had the more apt I was to spend money (even though I would have less too from working less).

So basically, occupy yourself with other activites. Especially ones that make you money.

The cheap way to satisfy that need is a one-night stand or, if you prefer, a glory hole.

Heh, why does anyone ask us anything?

Casey's tip is good. Overspending I think comes from some type of hole in your life. Stay busy either with work or study or some personal project most of the time.

I thought about qualifying that statement, but didn't for whatever reason.

With regards to Credit Cards ...

You SHOULD be using them. If you can't afford your bills ... well ... they let you keep the lights on. If you are in a solid financial situation, you should be using them to A) build credit and B) get rewards. Any card worth it's salt will give between 1% and 2% cash back, so simply by using a CC and paying it off each and every month you save money.

The key, as with everything, is self discipline. If you're going to use a CC for the rewards, you need to be paying it off each month, without fail, always. Keep track of your money. Prior generations did so by balancing check books, many people today do it via excel or a word document. I personally have columns for all my income types, all expenses, and anything else I want to track. Examples of some of my columns:

Paycheck
Other Income
Cable / Internet
Electricity
Phone
Gas
Water
Mortgage
Credit Card
School Loans
Car
Groceries
Fun / Out / Extra
Garbage

I then keep an auto calculated tally of all my accounts, can manage the coming months, major expenses, etc. I do it all in a Google Doc. It's not for everyone, but it's what works for me.

You might consider spending someone else's money.
As for myself, I buy large at warehouse stores like Smart & Final.

I'm being held prisoner by my family somewhere near Hollywood, so that's a cinch.
I let them insult me, then I skip watching movies, t.v., etc., but if I just have to watch something,
I go dumpster diving for discarded bootleg screeners. This works out, unless you can't stand watching a good movie with, "For Your Consideration" popping up all over the picture, or the "You Are Responsible for This Disk. This Transfer has been Watermarked with Your Serial Number" message. That last one about "Your Serial Number" I saw on a bootleg screener for "Gran Turismo" before it hit the stores...
Second best, buy used videos, or better yet, rent, or visit friends often.

To save on rent, buy a cheap lot, something under $10,000, and park a Tuff Shed Hidaway on it.
You won't regret it.
Or rent a small Public Storage space and be very quiet at night.

Study the lost episodes of MacGyver for helpful savings hints from Heloise.

I agree credit cards can be ok tools if there's no monthly fees and IF you can pay ALL of it off EVERY month - just watch for hidden fees/interest. However, the post topic is if you have a problem with spending, in which case you'd be best off avoiding the credit cards.

Incidentally, by having a credit card, the company has a record of more of your personal info and spending habits than I'm comfortable giving them, being the big evil companies they tend to be, so that's another thing to consider. I don't want to be a part of any trees cut down because of them either, so if you have a card I'd do everything online, and watch for junk mail sent by them.

Having to keep track of incentives and all that is an added inconvenience from my viewpoint. I'm sick of retail being all about bonus and reward programs - it's too much an annoyance to keep track of. Having a cc is all in all an added stress even in the best case scenario, so I personally just enjoy not having them.

As for credit rating - you can accomplish that over time with car loans, school, property, and other lesser interest loans. There's plenty of ways without a cc.

In the end it's just a personal choice you have to evaluate for yourself, but that's why I don't have them.

I hear yah I wish I never applied for my first CC.

Frankly pay your credit card every month and sooner or latter, the bank will give you the better credit cards with all the perks. Well I am not sure about the American banks lol.

Like 1-2% cash back to Travelers Insurance and such.

I suggest using credit cards, if you have discipline. It builds up your credit so you have much easier time getting loans and mortgages when you are older.



Do not eat out much as frankly its expensive and its not good for you. The healthy food is a rip off. Make some food at home.
If and your friends want to hang out, hang out at home its more relaxing and cheaper. It can still be lots of fun.
Check you bills and shop around. For example you can save hundreds a month. I checked the gas bill and realized my contract was triple the current price for gas. I changed and the bill went down 50%.

Stop buying all the new tech, an Apple Iphone 4 is fine, no need to switch unless your phone is broken. That is easily the biggest spending problem with young people. They buy all the new gadgets for no reason.
I generally use things until they stop working or become obsolete.

Also if you have a car, shop around for insurance. Also get a 4 cylinder engine. The gas savings are huge. I got a V6 only because my parents were helping me buy a car. Also buy used if you can get a great deal.

Also never use a credit card like a short term loan, the interest expenses would drive anyone bankrupt. Build up your credit and get a line of credit and such.