Don't spend more than you make. Sounds simple enough right? Well, for most this may not be so obvious. It can be tough to say no, we get it! When it seems like everyone and their mother are sporting the latest trends, jetting to sunnier places or taking selfies in their new Mercedes...who wouldn't want to join in? Don't cause yourself the extra stress of credit card debt or loans, if you don't have the cake, don't buy it! In the end, you will only end up spending more of your hard-earned cash on interest rates or bank charges for missed payments. Instead, control your impulse purchases and save for what will make YOU happy, and not your insta followers.
Here are some of our tips you can begin to do TODAY, that will help you in the long run. Don't start out with being too strict on yourself, make small changes that will turn into good financial habits!
Here are some of our tips you can begin to do TODAY, that will help you in the long run. Don't start out with being too strict on yourself, make small changes that will turn into good financial habits!
1. Future You
Think about the 'future you', you're not going to be rolling around in a sweet car and pulling up to your dream home if you don't start saving now! A good general rule to follow is always put 10% of your pay cheque into a savings account. However, if you are relying on this 'savings' account to cover you for things like unexpected car probs or sporadic vacays, up it to 20-30%. You'll thank yourself later.
Think about the 'future you', you're not going to be rolling around in a sweet car and pulling up to your dream home if you don't start saving now! A good general rule to follow is always put 10% of your pay cheque into a savings account. However, if you are relying on this 'savings' account to cover you for things like unexpected car probs or sporadic vacays, up it to 20-30%. You'll thank yourself later.
2. Tastes so good
Daily Starbucks latte, $15 salad at lunch, your uber chic vegan protein bar after the gym..sounds pretty glam, right? Chances are your part-time job does not support this lifestyle, and that's OKAY! Instead of buying those $10 kale chips, spend $3 at your local market and make them yourself! It's okay to treat yourself but think of all that extra cash you can save for the things that really matter. Food and drinks will kill your wallet and leave you with nothing after you take that last bite!
Daily Starbucks latte, $15 salad at lunch, your uber chic vegan protein bar after the gym..sounds pretty glam, right? Chances are your part-time job does not support this lifestyle, and that's OKAY! Instead of buying those $10 kale chips, spend $3 at your local market and make them yourself! It's okay to treat yourself but think of all that extra cash you can save for the things that really matter. Food and drinks will kill your wallet and leave you with nothing after you take that last bite!
3. Shopping on a Budget
As the seasons change, so does our wardrobe. If you live in Canada with us...that's four times a year! Four excuses to hit the mall and blow your pay cheque on all the latest trends and fashions. We support this. Kidding! Build up your kick-ass closet of well thought out pieces. Trends will come and go, so don't splurge on one silly item because the sales girl at Top Shop says it's SO 'you', you're not going to wear it. Invest in good jeans, a quality leather jacket, and classic-cut pieces. Try to find trendier items at stores like Forever XXI, Mendocino, or Winners. You can get-the-look for less, and not feel guilty if you only get a few wears out of it!
As the seasons change, so does our wardrobe. If you live in Canada with us...that's four times a year! Four excuses to hit the mall and blow your pay cheque on all the latest trends and fashions. We support this. Kidding! Build up your kick-ass closet of well thought out pieces. Trends will come and go, so don't splurge on one silly item because the sales girl at Top Shop says it's SO 'you', you're not going to wear it. Invest in good jeans, a quality leather jacket, and classic-cut pieces. Try to find trendier items at stores like Forever XXI, Mendocino, or Winners. You can get-the-look for less, and not feel guilty if you only get a few wears out of it!
Soia & Kyo, $199.97 | Rails, $138.00 | 7 For All Mankind, $189.00 |
4. Oh you fancy, huh?
This kind of ties in with shopping, but is still worth mentioning! Nails and Makeup. Ladies, we know that your beauty regime is important, but before your next purchase at Sephora, think long and hard if you really need another shade of shimmer bronzer. You do not, no one needs a collection of shimmer because we are no longer in the 1980's. Just like your wardrobe, invest in key items! Grab a great contouring palette (instead or buying separate items), a classic red lipstick, a two-tone bronzer (so you can transition from summer to winter), a neutral eyeshadow quad, and a great mascara! Purchase ONE iridescent powder that you can layer over your everyday blush, use as a highlight and as an eyeshadow for your brow bone.
On the fingers, go natural! Way too many girls are comfortable spending $30 every two weeks having their nails done, but won't buy a $12 nail polish...what? Ditch the harsh chemicals of acrylic/gel nails and take care of your own! Buy good quality polish that won't chip or look faded after a couple of days. Purchase neutral colours that you can use year-round!
This kind of ties in with shopping, but is still worth mentioning! Nails and Makeup. Ladies, we know that your beauty regime is important, but before your next purchase at Sephora, think long and hard if you really need another shade of shimmer bronzer. You do not, no one needs a collection of shimmer because we are no longer in the 1980's. Just like your wardrobe, invest in key items! Grab a great contouring palette (instead or buying separate items), a classic red lipstick, a two-tone bronzer (so you can transition from summer to winter), a neutral eyeshadow quad, and a great mascara! Purchase ONE iridescent powder that you can layer over your everyday blush, use as a highlight and as an eyeshadow for your brow bone.
On the fingers, go natural! Way too many girls are comfortable spending $30 every two weeks having their nails done, but won't buy a $12 nail polish...what? Ditch the harsh chemicals of acrylic/gel nails and take care of your own! Buy good quality polish that won't chip or look faded after a couple of days. Purchase neutral colours that you can use year-round!
5. It adds up
Here's a five dollar bill. Take it, and buy a lip balm for $3.50. Now you have $1.50 change in your pocket. Are you already on your way to the bank to deposit this cash into your savings account? No? Didn't think so. You'll probably use that change to buy a bag of chips or lose it to a couch. Do yourself a favor and ask your bank if they have a 'Bank the Rest' feature. Think about all the spare change that you collect and spend on meaningless purchases. This feature will round up all of your purchases to the nearest $1 or $5, your choice. So that $1.50 will go directly to your savings account without a trip to the bank. It seems small, but it adds up!
Here's a five dollar bill. Take it, and buy a lip balm for $3.50. Now you have $1.50 change in your pocket. Are you already on your way to the bank to deposit this cash into your savings account? No? Didn't think so. You'll probably use that change to buy a bag of chips or lose it to a couch. Do yourself a favor and ask your bank if they have a 'Bank the Rest' feature. Think about all the spare change that you collect and spend on meaningless purchases. This feature will round up all of your purchases to the nearest $1 or $5, your choice. So that $1.50 will go directly to your savings account without a trip to the bank. It seems small, but it adds up!
All images via Pinterest.com
We would love to hear your feedback! Let us know what you think of our tips, or if you have some of your own! Comment below xo