Saving Your Coins!
New Year, New Coin!– It’s a new year and the resolutions have begun. Everyone from your neighbors to your friends are trying to master the art of budgeting. Sacrifices will be made and tears will fall when we have to pick between the latest sneakers and the calculator that needs to be replaced for school. Just because we can’t splurge on a daily doesn’t mean we can’t have fun on a budget. Saving money is key whether you are saving for college, a new computer, or a new car. To help, include saving as an expense in your budget, try placing small amounts of money to the side to help with these future purchases.
Holidays-The Month of Love!- February is the time to budget. Valentine’s day is lurking with chocolates, flowers, and cards waiting empty your wallets. Whether it is for a significant other or for your mother, keep in mind the cost. You can’t put a price on love, but you can put a price on the watch or Michael Kors purse that you bought. I recommend having a spending limit and especially encourage students without a job to follow this suggestion. So be realistic about your budget.
The Box– Everyone has heard the saying “Think outside the box”. This quote can simply be applied to your everyday life. There is nothing wrong with a little creativity if the price is right. For example, buying lunch at the corner store rather than the local diner or even making your own lunch. By switching up your resources you can save a lot of money. Just know the difference between want and need. If help is needed you could always find yourself a fairy god-budgeter, someone who mastered the art of saving money, to lead and inspire you to save and use your money wisely.
Lastly, I want you guys to forgive yourself for small mistakes. Budgeting can be challenging. With this in mind don’t slack off, and start throwing away your money, but don’t beat yourself up for your slip-ups. It will get easier overtime and in no time you will be someone’s fairy god-budgeter!
By: Brynn Hutchinson, C.O.R.E Contributor