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It seems logic that the main reason why you can’t save money every month is because you don’t have money, but sometimes it helps to remember it. If your expenses are the same or higher than your monthly income, then you will never save any money.
The first step to start saving money is to realise what is the root cause of the problem. Each personal case is different but all of them have the same thing in common, you need to change.
If you don’t know what your problem is, then you’ll be stuck and make a change will be difficult.
After you find these reasons for not having money, you’ll be able to create a proper plan to get out of your financial crisis.
I’m aware that some things in life are not for free and cost money, but I truly believe that learning how to save money and improving your financial situation will help you reach your goals.
Read:The saving challenge: 25+ Ways To Save Money
Here I created a list with some reasons why you can’t save money every month.
You don’t have any rush in paying off your debt.
When I proposed getting married to my wife, I bought a beautiful engagement ring for her. She loves big diamonds but they are expensive. I didn’t have the money back then, so I took a loan. I’m not going to say how much did it cost but it was a lot!
I really wanted to pay that debt as soon as possible even though I have friends who are married for 5 years and are still paying the engagement ring.
I’ve been asked why I’m rushing in paying it instead of enjoying life. When you are young you want to enjoy life as much as possible, but some people get confused and believe that spending money means enjoying life. I still enjoyed my life while I was paying off my debt, I do not think I was having a bad time at all.
Also, there are many reasons why you would like to pay off your debt sooner rather than later, and the fact is that you just never know what may happen in the future. If you delay in paying off your debt and instead waste your money on things you don’t need, you may be in trouble in the future. What about if you lose your job or something similar?
I’m sure you would prefer your debt to disappear.
If you have the means to pay off your debt, why waiting? If you can’t pay it yet, try working towards that goal. A world free of debt will come soon for you!
Tip! Use cashback sites for when you shop online. You will receive up to 20% of what you spend (even if you use credit card) and this will allow you to pay your debt sooner. My favourite is Swagbucks (you’ll get $3 sign up bonus).
You keep using your credit card even when you don’t need it.
You must understand why a credit card is for. If you think that your credit card is there for you to buy things you don’t need, then you are in trouble, cancel it before you go into more debt.
A credit card is not extra income, you will need to pay it sooner or later, so why spend money that you currently don’t have?
However, credit cards can be very useful too, you can get points and during difficult months it may help you pay some extra expenses. But keep it in mind, if you use a lot your credit card you will never be able to save money.
Read:10 Tips to Save Money and Increase Your Savings in a 30%
You spend too much in luxury brands.
I know, I know, you still want those expensive Levis jeans, but do you really need them or are they one of those “is good to have”? Can you find a substitute for half of the price? Yes? Congratulations, you just have saved $50.
When I was living with my parents I always had normal clothes and that allowed me to realise that I don’t need luxury brands to be happy. This can be applied to pretty much everything: phones, perfume, sunglasses…
In my life, I’ve saved so much just by buying normal brands and the truth is that I don’t feel like I need anything else.
You don’t have goals and lack anymotivation to save.
You may have no savings because you don’t have any goals.
If you don’t have any goal it is likely that you will not fight for a better future. Saving money is a mix of working hard and motivation and if you don’t have goals, then motivation is missing.
You really want to have something so badly to start saving money. It can be your first house (like in my case) or having a baby, no matter what, you will need money for those goals and you will work towards them.
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No budget, nosavings.
It’s difficult to save money when you don’t have a budget or when your budget is not a good one. Budgeting is one of the biggest reasons why people don’t save money.
A proper and realistic budget is the best way to organise your income. It will help you to manage your family income better. Just by using a piece of paper you can create your budget.
It’s very easy to create a budget and it can help you realise that you are going in the wrong direction with your personal finances.
Having a budget doesn’t mean to suffer and not spend money, just be realistic and month after month adjust it according to what you want to save.
Read:28 Reasons Why You Should Start Blogging In 2017
“Want” and “need” is not the same.
How many times did you say “I need it!”? And how many times did you actually needed it? You got it! Some goods are needs, but most of the things people buy are wants. If you confuse these two terms then that may be the reason why you have no money.
The only things a person need are a place to live, food, clothes and few things more. I know is too dramatic, but keep it in mind when you plan to buy something new. Is a need or a want?
Many people think that last generation phones, fancy dinners, cable, a closet full of shoes and so on are really necessary, but deep down they are not.
If you struggle in paying those things, perhaps you may need to re-do your budget and cut those expenses from your life.
You don’t see the point of “every little thing counts”.
Small savings add up but you don’t see it. Every time you go to the supermarket you don’t care about prices. Many branded products you buy have a cheap substitute.
What it’s even worst is that you don’t realise when certain products are at discount. Even if it’s $2, that’s a saving.
If you do it every time you go on a grocery shopping, then you will save money by the end of the month.
Not using cashback sites when you buy online it’s making you lose money. I always use Swagbucks or Ebates for when I buy things online. Every month I end up saving more than expected.
You don’t have an emergency fund.
Everybody eventually goes through difficult times in their life. Losing a job, repairing a car and unexpected medical bills are some examples of situations when you will need an emergency fund.
An emergency fund is something everyone should have. By not have an emergency fund you may get into trouble.
The usually recommended 6 months of worth of savings is what you need for a proper emergency fund. It is not that much and it gives you that peace of mind.
I always have my emergency fund in a different account so I don’t spend that money. If you have different bank accounts and you want to manage all of them at once, you should try Personal Capital (it’s free!). This tool helps you manage all your accounts from one dashboard.
You don’t make enough money, then you can’t save money.
The last reason why you can’t save money is that you don’t make enough income.
There is not a good income or a bad income, it really depends on you. If your expenses are higher than your income, then you are not making enough money and you should do something to change it. There is no secret on that.
If you can’t cut more on expenses, then it’s time to start making more money. Stop watching TV or spend your time on Facebook, use your time to generate income.
If you want to learn more about how to make money to save money:
- 35+ Ways To Make Extra Money
- 7 Free Online Survey Sites To Join For Extra Cash
- 12 Things I’ve Done To Make Extra Money
- 14 Survey Sites To Make Extra Money In 2017
Is there any of these reasons fitting with you? How can you change it?
