I’m Pinky the Flamingo and I am all about spending in a smart way. My friends Penelope and Prudence have told you all about saving and budgeting, which both go hand in hand with how you spend your money. Your budget helps you decide how much money should be spent in specific areas of your life, while your savings is normally oriented around goals for something you want to buy. Saving and budgeting leads you to how you will spend your money, but I am here to help you spend wisely. Here are a few tricks to get you started!

• Think before you buy – When you go out to the mall or your surfing the web, don’t just shop to shop. Most items that you buy on a whim are not necessary. You just see the items and think it would be fun to buy it. Ask yourself some questions like, “will I use it,” “could I find this item for less somewhere else,” or “could this item go on sale soon?” All of these are valid questions that will make you think before you buy.   
• Plan for your shopping trip – When you are shopping make sure to go in with a plan so that you can get the best deal possible. Coupons are an amazing tool to use to save money. Cutting out coupons can be a family affair by taking the time to find deals on what your parents buy for the entire household. Also, make sure to check for sales. During certain times of the year sales are everywhere, which will help you pocket money on things that cost more before. Just remember, if something is on sale it doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Plus, as a student, a lot of the places you shop at might have student discounts, like the movies. Before you shop, make a shopping list, check for sales, and ask for discounts because you worked hard for your money and should get the most from it.

These are just a few tips to start you on the road to be a smart spender. If you start saving now, you will have the habits and resources to have a much more financially stable future. 

Source: Themint.org