The cycle never stops. Shoes, clothes, bags, beauty products, food- pretty much anything you can think of I am obsessed with. In high school, I had no sense of how hard it is to earn money, despite my summer job as a lifeguard. I also didn't realize how fast and frivolously I spent the money I earned. Cash I got from relatives during the holidays was gone in a flash and the problem was that I could never really see what I was spending it on. I bought stuff I didn't need and, to this day, I have so many pairs of shoes I don't even have room for them anymore.
When I got to college, I was in overload. I started to hate to spend money. In high school, the only money I ever spent was on clothes and shoes. But, in college, I felt some obligation to buy my books and pitch in for food, which I had never really spent my own money on ever. With LionCash, Uber, Venmo, Lyft, sorority dues, and other various expenses this soon became overwhelming and I knew I needed to start saving money somewhere.
Coming from the girl who never had a clue how to save money, here is how I started to do it:
1. Cut Out Clothes
Honestly this is one of the hardest things. Especially if you have a debit/credit card, a car, and easy access to stores around that have the latest trends. In retrospect, I wear the same 5 pairs of leggings to class all week and a comfy shirt. When I go out with my friends we all share clothes and it makes them feel just like new. By sharing, I feel like I have just bought a new shirt but didn't and then, when I'm sick of wearing it, I give it back to my friend happy I never spend money on it in the first place. I also realized that I have A LOT, as do other shopaholics, and that we should all evaluate when we see that cute shirt. Do we really NEED it?
2. Stop Eating Out
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This is also really hard because I am constantly asked by my friends to eat out and go get coffee everyday. No, I did not cut these actions out completely but I limit myself to two times a week now. You don't realize, but a seven dollar breakfast and three dollar coffee four times a week is expensive. So eat in for once. Cook, have a lighter dinner in your room, or use your dining dollars because that's what they are there for.
3. Delete Uber
When I say this I mean it. Delete the app Uber, because you know you will use it if it is downloaded. It is one thing if you are sick or if someone else is sick but that should be the only excuse. If you are going out, wear comfortable shoes (yes, comfortable heels exist). Leave early, be productive, and walk. The weather is getting nicer out as well. Plus, if you need to go somewhere, ask a close friend for a ride. They will be more than willing.
4. Keep Track of Spending
This sounds old fashioned but it helped me so much. I started putting into the notes of my phone how much I was spending on what. Doing this after each purchase makes you so much more money conscious. And when you run out of money or, like me, never know where it all went, now you will know.
5. Know What To Spend Money On
You can't help when you need detergent or other necessities. If something breaks, wears out, and needs to be replaced, buy it. Just make sure all of your purchases have a valid use and won't just be another top that gets worn once then never sees the light of day again.
