Saving Money: Tips to Help You Spend Less, and Enjoy More in Life

It's always a wonderful feeling to be greeted with a fresh new package in the mailbox. There's just something so intoxicating about receiving yet another unopened item in the mail, knowing that it's something you ordered, ready to be freed from the manila or padded envelope and burst into your life, ripped open with vigor as if it were your birthday. What fun it is to have things to open.

That is, at least for a little while. But soon, after the refuse of the packaging has settled to the floor, and the new (or used) item has been unpackaged from its restraints and set down, be it shirt, book, movie, or apple seeds, the newness and excitement of opening a "gift" soon wears off. Where are you left then? Back to where you were before you had the package - but only now, with a new item to take up space.

Which is to say, sometimes this is fine, and sometimes it isn't. You may in fact have needed this new item, and it's at this very moment being put to good use, perhaps replacing a torn set of jeans, casting light into a darkened hallway in place of a burned out bulb, or nesting comfortably on the floor as a new entryway rug. Heck, maybe it's even keeping some youngins at peace as it plays itself in the DVD player, entertaining and educating children's minds for a few hours.

But what if it isn't? What if this item is stared at for a few moments, then cast aside into an already piled-high heap? Is it set into a closet to be used "when we have more room/time"? Did you even need to get it right now? And how much did you pay for it? Maybe you didn't even shop online at all, but came back from the local retailer, wondering just why you bought this item in the first place? These are the things we need to take a closer look at, as these types of shopping habits will make our bills add up quick, and bring stress instead of the item's promised peace-of-mind. So for now, please consider some of these tips to help you shop more wisely, or, as we shall see - not even shop at all.

Tip # 1 - Use What You Already Have: I admit - I am as guilty of this as anyone. See, I have a passion for media, specifically books and video games. Heck, I have an ever-growing list of both, what is dubbed my "wish list", where I write down every title of book or game that I read about, review, etc., and that I'll want to check out in the future; both lists are dozens of titles long by now. So in the past, every now and again when I was bored, or desiring something new, I would make a purchase of one of them, and eagerly tear into the packaging when my new-to-me item arrived. This went on for several yeas, until recently, I came to a jarring conclusion: I don't need to buy these items anymore. Not for awhile, at least. The reason is, of course, because I have dozens of books and games piled up that I haven't yet read or played - but will someday. And I'm guessing, so do you. So do yourself a huge favor, and take stock of what you have around you already, and do the best thing you can for those items and yourself - use them. What books, games, movies, clothes, shoes, tools, etc. do you currently have that are not being read/viewed/used? Gather them together, put them in one location where they can be easily accessed - and use them. Utilizing what you already have and have purchased will not only help you finally being to receive payback for what you've already invested in, but it'll let you stop buying those same items for awhile, and start saving you money. Remember these simple four words: Use What You Have.

Tip # 2 - Search for Cheaper Ways to Buy: When it does come time to get or replace something new, consider two alternatives: instead of flocking to a retail store, head online for bargains; and, think in terms of "new-to-me" instead of "new". The first concept is easy, has been written about extensively for years, and doesn't need to be gone into depth here, but should be remembered: shop online. Retail outlets continue to struggle, true, but more and more of them have moved their products online into their own websites, to help tap into the ease of use when shopping online. However, there are plenty of other areas to shop as well and save a load of cash: resellers on sites such as eBay, Amazon, and Craigslist are the most popular, not to mention bargain sites such as Pricewatch, or Overstock.com. Checking here first for the item you're looking for will almost assuredly be cheaper then heading out and paying for it at retail.

Also, when getting something new, remember - it doesn't always have to be "new". It can be "new-to-you", which is a gentle way of saying "used". And although "used" is often times synonymous with "cheap" or "dirty", in reality things are often far from it. There are plenty of items that are resold online as "used" but in fact are brand-new, and still shrink-wrapped. Other times, they may be a few years old, but still in decent shape, regardless of what the product is, and will provide immense savings to your wallet. If you're someone who's never even considered purchasing something used, it's time to re-train your brain, for everything from cars to movies to lamps can be found for bargain prices online, often much cheaper than retail. Remember: "new-to-me" saves you money.

Tip # 3 - Take Advantage of Free Events in Your City: This is one of the best ways to save money while at the same time getting to know your community and city you live in. Ask yourself, honestly: when was the last time you rented a movie or book for free at your local library? Visited a park and watched a free concert? Searched the local paper for special events such as free entertainment, "no charge" days at museums or art galleries, or even "buy one get one free" ticket sales? It's time to pull up those sleeves and dive in, people. Check the classifieds, local libraries, city event pages, and elsewhere, and find where all the free and bargain events are. Public parks, concert halls, libraries, museums, art galleries, cheap theaters, bowling alleys, zoos, and more are often loaded with free or discounted events throughout the year, and even have special events for people who have children. These are great ways to get out and engage in your local community while at the same time take advantage of programs set up to allow people to get to know their city and save money while they're at it. Another great option: Volunteer. It costs you nothing, brings you closer to other like-minded citizens and organizations, lets you create connections, allows you to help other who are less-fortunate monetarily and who really need help, and aid those organizations who need volunteers in the first place. You'll feel great, provide yourself and your family with a fun new experience, and save money at the same time. Win-win for all.

Tip # 4 - Ask Yourself Why You're Making the Purchase At All: This last one is the biggie, and the toughest. It's the infamous "Look yourself in the mirror" category, but we must all face this ugly demon. So let's collectively turn to the mirror and ask: "Why am I buying this thing, and spending the money in the first place?" Do we really need this, or do we just want it? Are we making a sound purchase, or simply justifying a non-necessity? Perhaps we're trying to fill a void in our life, like a struggling relationship, a less-than-perfect job, or even an addiction to shopping itself. Regardless of reason, it's vitally important to assess each and every purchase we make, and consider, to ensure that it's in fact a sound purchase, and not an attempt to assuage our negative feelings for something else. When hurting, many people turn to drugs, gambling, food, and other vices - shopping is no less of a culprit. Only when we have become happy with who we are as a person, live within our means, enjoy what we have, and choose only those items that we truly need, will our purchases begin to fall in line and really make sense. There's no need to cut out fun items and entertainment entirely. Yet limiting our purchases to a set-amount of "fun money" each month and keeping it at or below that amount while at the same time truly assessing all other purchases on a scale of "need vs. want" will allow us to cut back or even end frivolous, wasteful spending. And it will help us begin to move towards a new path of happy, healthy, positive spending, (or rather, less spending), saving us money in both the short and long run. And that's an investment we can all be happy with.