Saving and Ballin on a Budget

Just like the average female, I enjoy shopping. Some of my favorite places to shop are  BCBG, Forever21, Rue 21, Ross, Polo, Coach, Dillard, Loft, Victoria's Secret, Francesca’s, Wal-Mart, Bijuju and more. The good thing about my shopping habit is that I always head to the nearest Outlet for great deals before I head to the mall. I love clothes, shoes, and hand bags but when I  moved into my own place, I realized that I couldn’t spend as much money as I use to on things that I didn’t need. However, there were a few times when I felt like splurging so, I did.  Therefore, I purchased whatever I wanted without any worries. I went out to eat everyday with my friends for dinner or we would do fast food. As a full-time
 college student and part time sales associate, I went to school Monday-Friday and worked 24+ hours a week. Somewhere down the line of not keeping up with the amount of money I saved and spent I came to realize that I should be more cautious of the way I spend money.

 Each summer I would work two jobs and save as much money as I could before classes started again because I try to focus more on school than work.

Now I am trying this new thing where I manage to still do the things I enjoy like going out with friends, traveling, and shopping all while sticking to a savings plan.

This is something that one of my friends call Ballin on a budget.

How does one actually ball on a budget?

I am in the process of saving for a new car, school books, tuition, and the development of a nonprofit. With a list like this how do I maintain and continue to push forward? This may not be a long list but the cost of these things can become a little pricey. So this is how I do it! One of my coworkers told me about a saving plan that her husband introduced to her.

 “Pay you first. Even though you have bills, you should always pay yourself first if you truly want to save money,” my coworker told me one day while we were having lunch together. 

 With that being said, a new perspective of saving and sticking to my plan took full affect. One way that I found to be a reliable source of saving is having direct deposit set up with my bank and employer. Direct deposit is a good thing because it guarantees that my money will make it into the bank. In order to save money one should arranged for at least 10% - 20% of your pay check to be direct deposited into a savings and the remaining balance direct deposited into a checking account. Thus far, I manage not to take any money out of my savings. I fill my car up every week just to keep from stopping to the gas station numerous of times throughout the week. Instead of purchasing my food at work during my break, I bring food from home. Lunch at work ranges from $7-$10 a day which is $35-$50 a week. By not purchasing lunch each day I manage to save an extra $140 to $200 a month.

Since I get paid weekly from my job, I give myself $40 a week. I don’t always spend it all because I am really pushing forward to purchasing a new car and finishing school; every dollar earned counts. Some people say you should spend your money instead of saving it because you can’t take it with you when you are no longer living. However, you must be responsible of your actions. Saving for a rainy day or saving for your future can always benefit you.



Ways I save and earn $$

1.       CCU Nail Spa offer a 10% discount to college students, I take advantage of that.

2.       I shop at Tanger Outlets and use every discount I can find in the mall coupon book.

3.       I am a sales rack shopper 95% of the time.

4.       I use Kayak when making traveling arrangements

5.       I take my own lunch to work every day.

6.       Opened a savings account

7.       Use direct deposit for all payments received

8.        Take online surveys for a little extra cash

9.       Freelance writing for extra cash

10.   Secret shop to earn a little more cash