Do You Expences is Higher then Income ....?

I’ve reached a point in my financial life where I tend to analyze everything to death. It’s not just because of the money, either, although that’s a big part of it. My small house only has so much space, so I’m constantly thinking, “Do I really need/want this?” Not only that, I have several longer-term goals I’m trying to reach so I ask myself questions like, “If I buy this today, what’s the effect on my other goals? Is it worth it?” Plus, as I get older I find I’m actually happier with less stuff. It’s 



less to worry about, maintain, clean, and use.

So I over-analyze everything. I can stand in the store for a solid half hour analyzing purchases, particularly if they’re large or impulse items. I’ve been known to wander around a store for a while, talking to myself, running the pros and cons of an item until I get so frustrated (or have to go on to another appointment) that I just put it down and walk out. Even if I manage to get something home, I end up taking it back a lot of the time because the analysis continues and I simply cannot justify it.

You’d think this would be exhausting, and it is. It’s frustrating and no fun, but it does have its advantages. All this analysis has led to more careful spending, but not simply because I’m finding the best prices or waiting for sales. I’ve discovered that over-analysis tends to kill the joy of shopping. Therefore, I want to do it less. When I know it’s going to be a painful half hour in a store or lead to a lot of regret and gnashing of teeth, I’m even less interested in whatever object it is that I think I desire. If I find myself in a store and I’m tempted by something, the analysis quickly ruins the thrill of the item.

By killing the thrill of the chase and the joy of bringing something home, I’ve greatly reduced the purchases of unneeded items. Sometimes what people find the most fun about shopping is the quick grab, the thrill of finding something new, or finding an unexpected bargain. Most of these joys are not motivated by a true need or desire for the product, but are instead motivated by an adrenaline rush. Subjecting everything to careful scrutiny, even if it’s painful, takes the adrenaline out of the equation. By the time I’m done asking myself questions and carefully evaluating the item, the adrenaline is gone and I usually find that I no longer want or even need whatever this thing is. I can put it down, walk away, and keep my money. (For added benefit I go home and transfer the price into my savings account.)

This doesn’t mean that I never spend on anything fun, just that when I do I can be sure it’s going to besomething I’m really going to love. If it’s survived the analysis, it’s truly something special and I can feel good about owning it. Anything that can’t stand up to my thousands of questions was never worth it to start with. If you want to cut your spending, subject your purchases to rigorous (and I don’t mean a casual, “Hey, do I need this?”) analysis. Really ask yourself if this thing is worth putting aside other goals or taking up valuable space in your home. Chances are it won’t be.With the holiday season quickly approaching, it is wise to control your expenses and save in every way possible, whether on your daily purchases, dining out or buying gifts. Here’s a few practical tips to help you save:

Coupons, Coupons, Coupons!
Coupon advertising is the best way to keep customers coming back, which is precisely why local business owners advertise heavily during the holiday shopping season. As a knowledgeable consumer, you’ll want to first check out a few resources prior to making any purchases.

Check Your Mailbox. . .Your Computer. . .Your PhoneYou can discover great offers by checking the various direct-mail advertisements you receive. Many businesses send postcards offering discounts or feature special offers in Clipper Magazine. You can clip and organize your coupons, perhaps choosing to keep them in your vehicle so you’ll always have them with you. If you’ve already used the magazine coupons or have forgotten to clip them, check the couponclipper.com site to search for your favorite local coupons, where you can print them out instantly. Another way to save is to use the iPhone app from couponclipper.

Daily Deal Websites
Another great way to save is to search for deals offered by the specific business you’re interested in. Several daily deal sites now offer great discount savings nationwide. If you are traveling, you can always select the city you are in and buy deals related to that area. Recently Clippermagazine.com launched a great website to allow members to receive daily deals, saving up to an incredible 80%! If you have not yet joined, it behooves you to check out theclippermagdeals.com and doubletakedeals.com sites. We are now featuring deals for Lancaster and Harrisburg, PA; Jacksonville, FL; and Albany, NY; with plans to launch other Clipper Magazine markets within the next few months.

How About Technology?Some people, especially the younger generations, are very savvy with e-mail and texting. To reach this highly desirable market, many businesses are now using social media, text messages and e-mail to share promotions and targeted specials. If you use e-mail, can receive text messages or participate on Facebook, for example, you should consider joining the mailing lists of your favorite stores. Nearly every retailer has some type of loyal customer club e-mail program; joining enables you to receive free offers and great savings on a regular basis without any effort on your part.

It’s OK to Ask for Savings!Even if you aren’t tech-savvy, you can always ask the manager of a store if they are running any current specials; it’s a simple way to take advantage of any discounts, especially since there are usually deadlines/expiration dates for selling certain items. How easy is that—just ask and you may receive!

With the hype that holidays usually bring, people always have the tendency to buy more and spend more without taking into account the consequences that their actions can bring. 

Hence, it does not necessarily mean that because it is the holidays you have all the reason in this world to buy whatever you want and spend how much you want. Some people contend that it’s just once a year, so better give what you have. 

The problem is that giving something just for the spirit of the holidays does not mean you have to spend gold. You can still give something that will be deeply appreciated without having to spend more money. 

Here’s how: 

1. Make a budget and stick to it 

The problem with most people is that they find making a budget relatively easy but sticking to it is doubly hard. So what’s the point of making a budget when you do not know how to conform to what you have stated in there? 

Making and using your budget should always go hand in hand. Therefore, when you make your budget this holiday season, it is best that you follow the things that are written in it so that you would be able to save more money. 

2. Live within your means 

Of course, everybody would want to give gifts because that is what the holiday season calls for. However, it does not necessarily mean that you have to spend more than what you can afford. 

The trick to saving more money is to always live within your means. Spending more than what you can afford will definitely bring more problems than you can afford to solve. 

3. Personalize it! 

As they say, it is the thought that counts. Hence, there are no better ways to show how much you have thought of those people this holiday season than making personalized gifts. 

4. Shop and compare 

It really pays to shop around and doubly better when you compare prices. You will never know which items are better priced than the others are when you do not compare their values. 

The point here is that you should not be confined to one shopping portal. Try to look for other items, usually in thrift stores and consignment shops, where you can find the best items at a lower price. 

Indeed, shopping for the holidays can be fun, but you don’t have to be spendthrift. Nowadays, you really just have to be practical.