We are obliged to work so that we can meet our daily basic needs, and as we know, everyone has a different salary amount. However, each region already has its salary standard according to what is recommended by the government. However, this salary is only enough for daily needs and individual living expenses. If you already have to think about living expenses with your small family, then it will be different.
If you are already married, then the salary you get is no longer just for your needs, but also for the needs of your children and wife, and we know that a budget is also arranged after we have entered the marriage stage. At this time, we are required to be able to always manage income and expenses, we can discuss with our partner so that we can determine the amount of spending or spending money as effectively as possible.
Different Needs As A Married Couple
Needs after you get married are the needs that mostly have to save for a long term needs, for example, for the needs of school of your children, the needs to buy a house, or to buy your dream vehicle that you need to make your mobility easier.
There are many ways you can do to save money on shopping. Of course, not by saving to the point of torturing yourself. Rather, it is more about reducing your lifestyle every month so that any salary is enough to meet your needs for one month.
This is something that you need to cultivate properly, and you shouldn’t torture yourself and your family by being too frugal to be able to save large amounts. Saving is indeed a very important thing in the household, but spending money to meet your needs is also very important and cannot be ignored.
It is true that the most important thing to make you more secure in managing expenses and meeting needs is to add to your income stream from other work results such as trading and doing business. However, you still need to manage your spending. Here are some money-saving tips that you can apply directly to managing your monthly salary. I hope this helps.
Tips to Save Money Shopping
By studying the tips below, you will be able to minimize the possibility of waste that can make you run out of money before your payday returns. From some of the tips given, you can choose which one is most suitable for your conditions and needs.
1. Check the stock needs that still exist
First of all, try to check the stock of goods or needs that still exist. Starting from finished and processed spices, rice, cooking oil, and others because usually there is still some left over from the previous month’s use.
If the stock is running out, you can record it in the “list of items to be purchased”. So, the items purchased are limited to those on the list, so they are not redundant.
This method is very helpful in controlling the flow of expenditure, so that money for the allocation of a cost can be allocated to finance other needs that are no less important.
Keeping track of groceries that must be purchased is a way that many people forget. Not many people list the groceries they are going to buy, most of them just go to the supermarket and buy based on their instincts.
Even keeping track of groceries is something that will help you in managing or viewing your family’s economic balance. You can also record the prices of the many items that you register so that later you can calculate in detail your expenses and you will be able to manage shopping so you don’t buy items in excess or even a shortage.
Providing an allocation or stock of goods in the house is indeed necessary, but you still don’t need to buy excessively with too many quantities which will eventually affect the price to a figure that is too expensive.
2. Avoid looking at discount items
Continuing the discussion regarding purchasing goods in excess by exceeding the need is the impact of the discount provided by your shopping place.
Let’s be honest, the habit of looking at discounted goods is the cause of overspending. While it’s on discount, it’s better to buy it now and use it later. moreover, these items are not necessarily discounted tomorrow or a week later. That’s pretty much the illustration.
Buying discount items is the most effective way to reduce expenses. However, you have to be wise in buying so as not to seem consumptive.
If by chance the items needed are on discount, then buy as needed. If other items are discounted, it’s better not to buy them, especially if the item is not useful. In this case, you need to have good and regular self-control.
3. Compare the prices of goods
Another thing that is no less important to note is to compare the prices of the goods you want to buy. Even the same goods can have different prices because they are sold in different places. For example, the price of granulated sugar in mini markets is of course more expensive than in stalls.
Therefore, never be lazy to compare prices. Even though the price difference is only IDR 500 per product, if you buy up to 10 items, then the accumulated difference is IDR 5,000, a pretty good figure.
This method does not only apply when buying goods in stores or minimarkets but also online goods. So that the savings made are maximized. Even so, when you are trying to find items online, you should still be aware of the possibility that the item you are buying is not the same as the photo posted there. It’s better if you look at the reviews from previous buyers in detail so you can see how good the goods sold there are.
Not a few people are fooled by bad goods when they arrive at their destination because they are not keen on looking at reviews. So, use it well, and see if the rating is very good and the shop that sells the goods is known to have a good reputation based on visitor ratings.
4. Try shopping alone
When shopping with other people, the items purchased are usually more. Because these people often influence you when shopping. Saying that this item is good, so in the end I bought it even though at the beginning there was no plan to buy it.
As much as possible, shop alone. Besides being more economical, it can also be faster because you only focus on buying your own needs. If possible, it’s better to shop online. Even more so if you are busy working or have to look after the children at home.
This means you need to be more independent and be able to manage all expenses and spend more selectively in choosing items that suit your needs. As stated above, you will be able to refrain from buying unnecessary items. Moreover, you already know how much your salary is and what is the maximum expenditure that you can spend.
5. Take advantage of the promos that are given free of charge
Shopping centers, such as fresh markets or supermarkets often provide free promotions to consumers. This promo can be in the form of a discount, buy 1 get 1, or cheap redemption. Take advantage of this promo properly to save expenses.
This promo is usually given before the weekend, at the end of the month, or on holidays. That’s why try to check promotions more often from websites or supermarket catalogs.
But remember, avoid consumer spending. Even though an item is on a promo, if it’s not important, it’s best not to buy it so that expenses are controlled. You have to realize that the existence of a discount or promo is to make sales increase by giving a low price, but you need to look again at whether you need or want the item.
If you need to buy promo items, decide to keep buying only the amount of goods you need, don’t buy too much because in some cases, people will regret it and don’t know what to do with the goods they have already bought.
Being Good at Financial Management of Salary is the Key
Saving money on shopping is not difficult, it just takes a lot of discipline in managing your salary so that all your needs are met properly. Besides that, also control spending appetite so that expenses do not exceed a predetermined budget. Hopefully, the tips on saving money shopping above can complement the saving shopping tips that have been applied so far.
You also need to make some investments or do things that are much more productive than just spending money. You can try to buy land for farming and sell your gardening results to get money.
Take a look at the many tips that are usually given by economists that are widely shared on YouTube or attend financial seminars so that you can be more financially literate and have an idea of managing your spending money more effectively.
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