When I was younger, saving money seemed a lot easier. I did not have to pay for clothes, food, or gas. But now that I am a lot older, I have come to realize that budgeting and saving my money has become much more difficult. Even just a few years ago when I was in high school it was a lot easier to save money.

Now I am on my second year of college and I will tell you that saving money is a lot harder. And honestly, a lot of that money goes towards food. Sometimes I ask myself why I buy food all the time. I would say the most common answer to that question is because we are not satisfied with the food we are given with our meal plan. And my friends could say the same thing. I could probably save myself a lot of money if I did not buy food all the time. But if I am out with friends and we see an ice cream shop then maybe we will stop in. And that eventually adds up. But why is it so hard to resist the ice cream or what ever food I am buying?

Then we have to factor in the clothing aspect of the budget problem. I love shopping and so do a lot of other people in the world. So when I see something in a store that I like, then I want to buy it (but I am cheap so it has to be under $20). But all the clothing also adds up. And then eventually my closet is too full and my wallet is just the opposite.

So the real question is why is it so hard to stop all the shopping and start saving? Right now I am overseas and all of my purchasing habits are getting in the way of what I actually need money for (travel and dinner on the weekends). And it is difficult because I know that I need money for my trips in the future but I do not want to stop myself from buying that awesome shirt I saw at the store. It is very difficult to stop the old habit of buying that really unneeded shirt and start realizing that I will be in trouble if I keep this up. If I know that I need money for traveling then it should not be that hard to stop myself from buying clothes or food when it is unnecessary. The bottom line is that it is very hard to limit yourself and not succumb to your old habits when you are tempted.

My new solution to this so called problem is to just go out less. I have stopped going shopping when I have free time (which is very rarely nowadays with other classes starting) and really trying to focus on the fact that I will need money when I travel. I have not bought too many souvenirs on my trips so far which surprises myself but I am proud of it at the same time. I would rather spend the money on experiences and my souvenir can be a picture of myself in front of the many monuments Europe has to offer.