MONEY MANAGEMENT TRAINING

HARD WORK REQUIRES COMMITMENT and being in mental readiness to accomplish this task. We had oatmeal for breakfast with blueberries, supposedly good for the elders. And knowing this we thought about the process of making the oatmeal and how much easier it is to just open a box of cold cereal and pour it into a bowl. Going that extra step is really HARD!! And since it's not something we do every morning (which the recommendation is 30 days), it's easier to ignore. What's worse is the fact you can now do this in a microwave making it faster and easier, but still requiring the extra effort. So goes it with breaking bad habits and learning to train oneself in money discipline. Getting into the right frame of mind usually is easier to do when you fall to the bottom in the "pit" and agree something has to change to feel and get better where you and your money are concerned. If you're younger, it's easier to train yourself because you haven't gotten use to any bad habits.
GROCERY SHOPPING IS AS GOOD OF A PLACE TO START AS ANY when it comes to training yourself. Any good money management starts with a few recommendations as to how to go about food shopping. And you've probably heard them all;
1. Eat right before you food shop
2. Make a list
3. Take coupons for items you need
4. Check paper ads from all stores and go where they have the best prices
By now you realize this is going to take a little effort just to feed yourself or family. It's also suggested to buy groceries for a week or two, depending on your budget. Going every day for food is more costly for many reasons. Using more gas to drive to the store, not being there the day of the sales, etc. Set a specific day aside for groceries unless you run out of a staple such as milk or bread. Try to stay away from convenience stores unless it's an emergency. Learn to buy certain things that will last a week or two and adjust your grocery shopping day to cover these items. This is one money management that really affects your money more than anyone even suspects. It's the one big thing that can get out of control because it is time consuming and requires an effort on ones part. Most stores are set up to have more than food items so having to go to different stores isn't necessary. But again, watch prices as some of these stores will ask a higher price for the same item you can get cheaper somewhere else. Way the cost between gas usage and pennies for the price at a different store.
LOTS OF PEOPLE LIKE TO TREAT THEMSELVES and tend to spend a little extra on different foods or drinks. Always look at where your life is and if the cost will interrupt the situation enough to not be worth the extra expense. If all you can afford is hamburger instead of sirloin, then that's the adjustment needed. A Starbucks could replace that bottle of pop for you for the week. Way it out and if that's o.k. , then take the step. Getting into the habit of using these recommendations is a matter of training. Try them and adjust to what's working for you and track how it works with your money. There are many how-to-books and information out there for suggestions and recommendations that will help if these I've listed just don't work for you.