You roll out of bed; you check your phone.

After a big night out, your the money in your account has vanished.

Or, you’re working hard, putting in all those shifts at the café, working two jobs.

You need to buy clothes, food, all the rest of it… and you don’t have enough.

You should think about how this bears down on your mental health!

The answer is, it’s not fun.

• Here are some big-picture ways to manage your money better:
• Determine your income, down to the dollar. This will tell you the real amount you are able to spend.
• Track your expenses. Even as an experiment, for a day, or better, a week! You are going to be surprised by where that money is going. This information will help you later.
• Keep bills and bank statements in a regular place. You are going to thank yourself later when you need these items.
• Ask yourself, what are the things I need to spend money on? Are there things I don’t need?
• Reduce borrowing and credit card spending.
• Save some money for an emergency and make sure you don’t use this in other times.

The right questions lead to a budget, and a plan for saving money. Record these ideas so you can remind yourself of what you thought was right. See what you can do!

Here are some straight-shooting tips on how to save money:

• Make your own food, reduce restaurant and take-out meals.
• Research cell phone providers and choose the best plan for you.
• Turn the lights off and be conservative with the thermostat.
• Use your own bank’s ATMs.
• Use Facebook Marketplace to buy and sell.
• Keep regular meals so when you go shopping you don’t make regrettable purchases.
• Borrow books instead of buying them. Hopefully from the library!
• Take care of your teeth to reduce dental bills.
• Look after yourself in all the ways you know how, including exercise. Your health is your greatest asset, and this turns into dollars over time. It’s true.
• Learn how to change the oil in your car yourself.
• Buy store-brand cereal instead of national brands.
• Pick the best gas prices.
• If you want a dog or cat, look no further than your local animal shelters. The small purchase fee often includes vaccination and neutering.

In this incredible, exciting world that we live in, money matters a lot for your day to day. Let’s not forget that, despite all the spiritual and emotional lives you work through. In this way, make life as easy for yourself as you can! You deserve it, and those around you would love to see it.

Don’t hold back, make use if you’d like.