Money, money, money

I have always been a saver.
When I was younger, I would constantly have my eyes set on something. The process usually went something like this - read a Nancy Drew book, want to be a detective, flick through Argos catalogue, cut out photo of a pair of binoculars, save up for two months, buy them, become a detective.

Ok, so it didn’t exactly work out like that, but the thing is, I enjoyed what I had saved up for because I felt like I had earned it. A decade later, and not much has changed: I save (and still secretly want to be a detective…) and still enjoy the things that I’ve saved up for more than the frivolous purchases I’d spontaneously make. But that’s the variable in this aging process – I seemed to have slipped into the rather naughty habit of over-spending. Buying too many clothes, too much make-up, creating detailed –and very long- wish lists that I would inevitably delete because I’d just buy it instantly because hey – I can...

 

I’ve never been in debt – thanks to going straight into work instead of taking the more usual route of today’s teenagers of going to University. I’ve worked on and off, and I can’t explain the excitement of seeing lots of money suddenly appear in my account at the end of each month… or the disappointment half way through the month when the money has disappeared.

Adding to this disappointment is the fact that the government seem to take half my pay cheque anyway, the greedy buggers! As Tinie Tempah once rapped: “People work all day just to get all their salary taxed.”

What a hard life it is, huh? But this year, I say NO to silly purchasing. NO to expensive items that I only wear once. I am going to evolve into a Saving Butterfly. Live the skint student lifestyle, but at the end of it be able to buy a nice car, or holiday and guess what – not be in debt. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, here are my tips:

1.       Clearout. This means eBay, baby! Clear out everything in your room that you haven’t used and put it on the site that can make a little entrepreneur out of anyone.

2.       Want it? Put it down, walk away. There are all sorts of mental tricks that shopping plays on our minds. And the shops don’t help – most clothes stores create flattering lighting, with few mirrors, and creative displays. Background music creates an atmosphere which relaxes you, combined with new clothes appearing almost every week to create excitement. I know it’s hard when you find the dress but trust me. See it, touch it (stroke adoringly?), but if you don’t truly need it, then walk away. Hopefully you’ll forget about it, but if not…

3.       Wish List it. Create a scrapbook, or computer document with everything you want and start saving. Decide that you’re going to treat yourself to one of these things every month. This will reveal what you really want as well as creating a controlled environment for your spending.

4.       Salary – put anything you can away. Because I live at home and don’t have to worry about paying bills, I’ve decided to put 50% of my salary into my savings. That holiday isn’t going to pay for itself, is it?

5.       Stop whining, get creative. Replace the usual activities you’d spend money on with positive things – exercise is free, and so should be socialising. Seeing your friends shouldn’t have to create an excuse for spending, you should be able to relax with each other without blowing all your cash in a restaurant, club, shopping centre or zoo.

6.       Swap sales! My friends and I used to do this when we were younger, but I think it’s time for a comeback. Organise an event with all your mates, telling them to bring clothes, jewellery, bags, books etc, which they don’t want any more. Then everyone can swap one of their items for someone elses – a new wardrobe for free!

7.       Abuse your parents. Not by screaming at them at how unfair it is that you weren’t born to millionaire; but if you live with them then they most likely buy the food, pay all the bills etc. How you can abuse this system is by making your lunches at home, instead of buying a £5 panini at Starbucks every day. Cook a meal for your friends… at home. Of course, you should pay them housekeeping every month but they should be LUCKY you’re still living at home, right…?

8.       Become zen. You don’t need material things. Remember – “Awesomeness isn't a quality determined by material things. Cars and nice clothes may help you appear awesome, but they will not truly make you something you're not.”

9.       Get anal. Sniggering? Then also had “mature” to the to do list… heh heh. Anyway, create an Excel sheet of exactly what goes in and what goes out (oi oi) of your savings. See how those “little treats” suddenly scarily add up. Time to face the music, I’m afraid.

And, finally:

10.    Win the lottery. Meh, a girl can wish.