[QueenofLeaves]

I need help...

I'm horrid at managing money. I wasted so much last semester, and I think I really need to control my spending this coming semester.

What do you guys do to curb the shopping/going out/eating/unnecessary spending? especially when you're around people who have A LOT of money so they don't worry at all.

[Ivory Rose]

i know what this is like. here are some of my tips:

-if you're going out to eat with friends, try to eat a meal AT HOME before you go out. so when you get to the restaurant, you can just order like a small dessert or something. this way, you'll still be eating something along with your friends, but you won't have to spend as much as if you were to get a full blown meal.

-only buy stuff that you actually need. easier said than done, i know. buy things you will actually USE and not because it's cute/pretty/whatever.

-also, i honestly rarely eat out during the semester. i buy stuff at the grocery store and cook enough to last me a few meals. i was able to save a lot of money, plus i lost weight by cooking my own stuff. and people are envious that i know how to cook. takes a lot of practice though.

-go to discount stores. you can find some really cute clothes if you just look around and know how to match stuff differently. i've literally seen the same $50 shirt at a discount store for like $10.

[Hax]

If you are going out with people who have a lot of money, it shouldn't impact you too much unless you are going to the movies or eating out a lot. Follow what the above member wrote in that case. All other things can be avoided by sheer will power. Treat your money as if its your last and you wont get anymore. Keep that mindset and you will be restricted.

It's easy to save when you are forced to aka you have to save for your college education. That's my situation so saving and not splurging was easy. If you can keep that mindset, you will easily save and curb spending.

[lorac29]

Set a budget for yourself and STICK TO IT. Don't make 'exceptions' or 'one-off' spendings. And before buying something, ask yourself "Do I really need this?". If you do need it, buy it, if not, put it back.

[carebear]

like the others said, try to eat at home more, also try to cut the excess shopping! if youre desperate.. perhaps donate blood/plasma for money lol. or sign up for a bunch of experiments that pay you to participate

[sp4078]

I don't worry much about spending. I became stingy in college. LOL. My mom actually tells me to go for shopping sth since she said I look like a hobo.

Here's some tips
- PPL asked me out for dinner/bar/club/(you name it). I only agree with special occasion like birthdays. Other than, I respond straight "I don't have money. I'm broke this month due to my camera/over-shopping/(excuse inserted)". I know it's kinda mean and embarrassing for ppl, but I couldn't care less. Or if you can invited to have a meal at home. Hanging out doesn't always mean getting drunk.

- Don't let intimidated by ppl with a lot of money. It's their money, they spend the way they want, and they ain't gonna share you any money. In the end, it's you who will suffer due to your "pride". It's not a crime being a poor student.

- Eating. Try to eat and cook at home. It's hard and it took practices, a little patient. But once it became habit, it's rather enjoyable (just my experience, you might never like cooking). You will find the foods outside disgusting. Cooking is a survival skill, boys or girls, we should all learn.

- Before buy what you want. Stop a min and think if you REALLY REALLY need this.

[Super Kaioken]

I agree with the above.

~Over the school semester, I don't even buy new clothes, unless there is a super sale. Watch what you buy, do you really need those expensive jeans/dresses? and if you buy those things, it'll make you want to go out and wear them too spending even more.

~Going out on special occasion is a good idea. Don't go crazy with it though. If you have a lot of friends then even doing that is tough! So try to limit yourself in going clubbing and things.

~ and Eat IN! Buy food from grocery stores and cook and eat in. Hang out at an apt instead of going out, even that's cheaper.

[des monstres]

for clothes, use the 5 dollar method.
i.e. if a shirt was $30, divide it by 5.
which is 6. and ask yourself, will you wear it 6+ times?

and well.. if anything, buy clothes that can be layered and have a different look.
then you won't need to buy a lot of clothes.

try to buy food at like costco. you'll save money buying food in bulk.

[StayFresh]

start a saving account or find out some kind of method to save money. say you get pay 300 a check, save 200 and spend 100. all you got to do is keep spending less and less and that way you would save a bunch