As you make smarter decisions with your money and think carefully about your purchases, you will notice that saving a little with every purchase adds up over time. Using a budget and learning to plan your purchases can make it easier to save money.
The key to spending is to stay within your means. Don’t spend more money than you have. As you plan to shop, make sure you keep your goals and your budget in mind.
Before you make a purchase, look at lots of different options to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Rather than buying the first expensive pair of gym shoes you see, plan ahead to make sure you are getting the best value by researching quality and comparing pricing at multiple retailers — this is called comparison shopping. The exact same pair may be cheaper at another store.
If you want to go to a concert, there will be ticket features you want and features you need. When all you need is a basic ticket, you may sacrifice the features you want in order to save money, while still enjoying the concert.
A name brand is recognizable; if you see one of its products you are likely to know the manufacturer. A generic brand item is one that typically isn’t advertised. Many grocery and multi purpose stores have their own generic versions of products. Most of the time, there’s no significant difference between the two items besides price. Generic items are usually less expensive — making them a great savings opportunity.
Sometimes, spending can also pay off in the long run. If you have your own business, you may need to spend money to be able to better serve your customers. For example, if you start a lawn mowing business in your neighborhood you’ll need a lawn mower, gas and potentially other landscaping tools down the road.
