William H.
I've learned to save money by asking myself this simple question while shopping.
Do I need this item or do I want this item.
If it's a basic need items like food, paper goods, ect. No problem, in the cart it goes.
Now if it's a want item like a dvd, clothes,ect.
Then I may put the items in my cart and continue to shop while I think about it. And while I'm thinking about it and figuring out my budget, this gives me time to decide weather it's a need or want.
Impulse buying is costly and later you maybe thinking to yourself, why did I buy that item. You can always take it back, but now you have to spend the time to do it and now you're out your time and gas money to return the item that you purchased on a whim.
So the need or want idea does work. I've been doing this for several years now and kept track of the items I thought I needed and so far in 2020 I've managed to save $2386.00 plus what ever sales tax would have been.
2019 saved just over $2700.00.
2018 over $4500.00 and when I started doing the need or want idea. It was started in February 2017 and that year I saved over $10.000.00. I think I was the number one impulse buyer in the world,if I liked it,then I bought it. Never gave it a second thought, until someone gave me the same advice that I'm passing on to whomever reads this article.
Since then I have paid off all my credit cards then canceled all but one.(emergency only use). I'm proud to say that I've used it 2 time's in three years. Both times was roadside assistance. Then paid it off before the thirty days ended so no interest.
And after all this time of asking myself is it a need or a want, I have managed to save in my savings account over $19.000.00 dollars since February 2017.
So please take my advice and just ask yourself that simple question.
DO I NEED IT OR DO I WANT IT. Your own answer might just surprise you. Impulse buying is costly and the stores depend on it, look at the check out lines, loaded up with things from across the store,conveniently placed at the checkout lines where you impulse buy, just like the scene on TV stuff always at the checkout lines so beware and remember do I want it or do I need it.
And one more positive thing that came from this advice I have no debt other than my basic monthly bills like a mortgage payment, utilities, cable and internet car insurance. And my credit score has increased by more than 220 points because of this advice. In 2017 my credit score was 500 to 550 range and I'm over 700 plus since following my own advice is it "A NEED OR A WANT"
So just follow that simple advice and hopefully 2021 will be a great year for you all and before you know it you'll have a savings account with extra money in it if you choose to and maybe take a dream vacation one of these days who knows it's up to you it's your money that you saved thank you for your time and thank you for reading this far I know it got a little carried away but it's something so simple that works and that's hard to find in this day and age so God bless Merry Christmas and a Happy New year's today's date is December 20-2020.