By Taniesha Robinson
We've got some surprising ways to save a little cash this month.
Avoid Opening Your Wallet On…
Saturday. Turns out, Americans spend 30 percent more on Saturday than the average weekday, according to a Gallup poll. The bump gets even bigger on weekends after a payday, which suggests this increase isn't just the result of more time to shop. Researchers behind the poll say this "paycheck effect" may be a reflection of consumers' overconfidence when they have more cash on hand.
Carry A Master List
You know the drill: Make a list before hitting the grocery store or department store aisles so you'll be less likely to buy impulsively and more likely to come home with things you actually need.
But, what about those visits that are more spontaneous? When a friend drags you to her favorite outlet or an afternoon stroll ends in a new neighborhood boutique, you'll find a master wish list might save you from yourself.
"I keep a shopping list on my smartphone," says Lauren Lyons Cole, a certified financial planner. A few times a year, she goes through cupboards and closets from attic to garage and notes what she needs. "I'm only allowed to buy the stuff that's on my list."
Although a small notepad and pen would do the job, a smartphone means access to apps such as Google Shopper, which not only can store your master list, but also can scan barcodes for price comparisons, reviews and more.
Think of a master list as the ever-present instructions for scavenger hunting items you most covet to be found at the very best price.
Start A Joy-Based Ledger
"We have tried ad nauseam… for the past decade to get people to readjust spending by focusing on the raw numbers," says Manisha Thakor, founder and CEO of MoneyZen Wealth Management, a boutique financial-advisory firm serving women and families. She says simply looking at a budget in theory should fix the problem, but it hasn't.
Her solution: "Challenge yourself to be more mindful and conscious of what kind of return on joy you're getting from every dollar you spend."
This requires not only writing down how much money they cost you, but how much joy they brought you. Highlight only those items in your notebook (or smartphone), and then take a look at what's not highlighted. That's where you start thinking about making conscious, mindful adjustments to your spending, Thakor says. In other words, that's where you should start cutting back.
Follow The Rule Of 5
Some people -- the free-spirited or Type B, the list-phobes, the detail-averse -- hate budgets. For them, Lauren Lyons Cole suggests the Rule of 5.
Start with your monthly income and subtract your bills, retirement funds, children's college-fund or other saving-plan contributions. Divide this amount by 5. Put one-fifth in a separate account for annual spending (holiday gifts, weekend getaways, etc.) The remaining four-fifths are your pocket money for the month—think of each portion as your weekly allowance.
"When it's gone, it's gone," Lyons Cole says.
By taking money off the table at the start, you're setting yourself up for success no matter what distractions or urges crop up along the way.
Please note: This is general information and is not intended to be legal advice. You should consult with your own financial advisor before making any major financial decisions, including investments or changes to your portfolio, and a qualified legal professional before executing any legal documents or taking any legal action. Harpo Productions, Inc., OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Discovery Communications LLC and their affiliated companies and entities are not responsible for any losses, damages or claims that may result from your financial or legal decisions.