tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3274401.post115745477684566185..comments2023-10-29T04:50:15.837-04:00Comments on I Chase Boys: Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249972066135148788noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3274401.post-1157628115667289382006-09-07T07:21:00.000-04:002006-09-07T07:21:00.000-04:00So let me get this straight. You are stressed abo...So let me get this straight. You are stressed about money. But you are buying patterns for a project you think likely you won't start for a while ("unfinished pile") and going shopping. And you are buying a new phone because the old was "starting to wear out" and you "got a good deal".<BR/><BR/>What you need, my dear, is a budget. Getting further into debt is not going to solve the problem; which sounds like you are living beyond your needs. This is nothing to beat yourself over the head with - you are in good company with the majority of Canadians (80% of all employees live paycheck to paycheck).<BR/><BR/>However, you now have a chance to fix this - it is much easier to get into healthy money habits when you are younger.<BR/><BR/>So do it. One advice thing that is often given out is to track everything you spend for at least a month. Classify what you NEED and what you WANT. <BR/><BR/>Consolidate all of your credit lines, debts and credit cards. Start paying them off. One good way to do this - pay the minimum balance on all, and more than the minimum on the smallest. Why? You will feel like you are accomplishing something. Bad spending habits take time to fix.<BR/><BR/>You should also put aside a certain amount a month into savings. Create an "emergency fund".<BR/><BR/>If you find that you are buying outside of your budget, try a cash only enforcement - take out the money you have budgeted in cash. Leave the rest of your plastic at home alone during the period you budgeted for.<BR/><BR/>And don't cut out all joys in your life for the sake of your finances or you will feel like you are a drudge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com