| It starts out innocently enough. You're bored and sitting | | | | cutting down on that to perhaps once or twice a |
| on the couch, flipping through the channels for | | | | week. Eating at home can save you a lot of money in |
| something interesting to watch. A person can only | | | | the long run, and it's a lot more intimate. |
| take so many soap operas and talk shows, right? But | | | | If you live with children, make them understand that |
| then you come across a shopping network, and | | | | money doesn't grow on trees. If they badly want that |
| before you know it, you've bought several things with | | | | bike or video game, make them do chores to earn it or |
| names you can't pronounce and aren't even sure of | | | | get small jobs like newspaper delivery or lawn cutting. |
| what they do, just because they look interesting. Many | | | | Tell them that certain toys need batteries, and it will be |
| people just like you suffer from irresponsible spending, | | | | their responsibility to pay for and replace them when |
| which can only lead to financial troubles and added | | | | need be. |
| stress that could have been avoided. Before you put | | | | Avoid carrying any credit cards. In fact, make it a habit |
| your local shoe store's phone number on speed dial, | | | | to only have cash on hand, so that there won't be any |
| consider adopting wise spending habits. | | | | way to spend money you don't actually have. And if |
| Put together a budget for the various things you tend | | | | you don't truly want to buy something with that money, |
| to spend money on. Set aside a certain amount for | | | | don't do it. Don't feel obligated simply because the item |
| entertainment, for food, and so on. Think about what is | | | | is on sale, or you don't think you've seen it anywhere |
| important and what you don't need right away. Do you | | | | else. In today's high-tech world it's bound to be out |
| really need that new barbecue grill, or does the old one | | | | there somewhere else, and for cheaper, too. |
| still function just fine? Are you really going to read that | | | | If you think you can take on these wise spending |
| book, or is it just going to sit on the book shelf | | | | habits, you'll find yourself quite satisfied and proud. Your |
| gathering dust? Is this item essential to making you | | | | wallet could probably write a thank you letter, too. You |
| happy? If you eat out several times a week, consider | | | | know, if it had hands. |