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Making Cash Flow By Plugging
Spending Leaks
Now that you’re a savvy shopper (right?), it will
be easy to pick up on how your spending “leaks” money—those
little purchases that add up to big bucks over time.
| There are many
ways to make the most out of each dollar spent. Here
are some you can start using right away. |
| Buy only the things you really need. (Boy,
you’ve
heard that a bunch of times.) |
| Save money to buy what you
need and want. (You heard about this when we talked
about “needs” and “wants”;
we’ll talk about it again in the “Saving
Money” section. Yes, this is an important one.) |
| Shop at thrift stores, garage
sales, or flea markets. You’ll find plenty of
cool items for fraction of the cost. On top of that,
negotiate prices for an even better deal. It’s
fun! |
| Swap clothes or electronic
items with friends and relatives. Sell what you rarely
use to a consignment store or on e-Bay to make some
extra cash. |
| Look for sales and “off-season” bargains. |
| Always inspect everything
you buy to make sure it is “worthy” of
your hard earned money. |
| Don’t buy on impulse.
Doing so could create the biggest “leaks.” |
| Shop for food at supermarkets,
not expensive convenience stores. |
| Take your lunch to school. |
| Borrow videos and
DVDs from the public library rather than going to a
movie theater. |
| Rather than purchasing them,
read
books, magazines, and newspapers at the public library. |
If some of these ideas make sense to you, then put them into
action. Know you may receive pressure from others to spend
money rather than save money. Here is where you can stand
up for your financial goals and beliefs. If you do so with
a smile on your face and with complete conviction, chances
are that your friends will go along.
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