Avoid the temptation



If you have been a regular shopper for the last 10 or 15 years, it's time to stop the habit. If you say that shopping gives you a veritable high, then you have to do something to displace that “high”.

According to John Cooper of Weston Financial Group:

“Keep a spending journal. Whenever you're tempted to go shopping, write down why before you go. Write down how it will make you feel to add more debt to your credit card. Write down what's motivating you to spend the money.”

“Are you stressed about something at work? Are your children getting on your last nerve? Has your spouse pissed you off? Putting your thoughts to paper has a way of making you think about your actions.”

2 months without your credit cards

Credit cards actually give you access to loans every time you use them. Credit is a wonderful thing if used responsibly. But using credit to buy clogs or stuff from information commercials is harmful to your budget.

If you have been using your credit card for gasoline as well as food, it's time to go cold turkey. To see just how much you will be able to save by lessening the use of your credit card, don't use it for two months. Pay the monthly bills, but don't use it.

Chances are, you will be saving a lot of money. Eventually, you appreciate again the beauty of purchasing with cash. The difference between spending heavily with cash and spending heavily with credit cards is that there is no debt with cash purchases.

Get a saving sponsor

According to Sarah Keaton of Inter-Alliance Group:

“Find yourself a "saving sponsor." In Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs, people are encouraged to find a sponsor to guide them along their road to recovery. I encourage you to do the same if you need to save. My sponsor happens to be my husband. Together we keep each other on the saving path.”

“A saving sponsor helps keep you on track. Think of this person as the angel on your shoulder who will help you become a saver, not a spender. This person's main job is to talk you out of buying stuff. Take your sponsor shopping with you.”

Learn to say no

Sometimes a person is thrifty, but those around him or her are not. There are times that large purchases are not made for one's self, but for children and spouses. A simple way to cut down on such expenses is by simply saying no. Appliances and gadgets are notoriously expensive, and often occupy ballooning credit card bills.

Don't be too kind to marketers either- sweet-sounding deals are meant to sound that way. However, the bottom line is that you will still be spending needlessly.