Little Things Can Mean a Lot 
|
Little Things You Buy
|
Cost
|
# Per Month
|
Monthly Cost
|
Annual Cost
|
Number of Years
|
Money Saved
|
Big Things You Could Have
|
|
Can of Soda
|
$0.60
|
20
|
$12
|
$144
|
5
|
$788
|
5 day trip for 2 to Las Vegas
|
|
Video Rental
|
$4.50
|
10
|
$45
|
$540
|
5
|
$2955
|
New Computer System
|
|
Fast Food Lunch
|
$5.00
|
12
|
$60
|
$720
|
2
|
$1494
|
Wood working tool
|
|
Bottle of Water
|
$1.50
|
20
|
$30
|
$360
|
3
|
$1140
|
Refrigerator
|
|
Greeting Cards
|
$3.00
|
2
|
$6
|
$72
|
3
|
$228
|
Family dinner at a nice restaurant
|
|
Movie
Snacks |
$9.00
$8.00 |
2
|
$18
$16 |
$216
$192 |
2
|
$844
|
Queen Bed Set
|
|
Ice cream /Yogurt
|
$1.50
|
8
|
$12
|
$144
|
2
|
$299
|
Digital Camera
|
|
Magazine
|
$3.50
|
3
|
$10.50
|
$126
|
4
|
$542
|
Bracelet
|
|
Latte
|
$3.60
|
10
|
$36
|
$432
|
5
|
$2364
|
Vacation for 4 at Disneyland
|
Do you wonder about the money that seems to slip through your fingers? Much of our spending are habits we develop over time. The "little" purchases can add up to a lot. Next time before spending, stop and consider the 3 R's of Money Management.
Refuse. Just don't buy it! Do you really need another pair of slippers, another t-shirt (even if it's cute), or another latte`? More is not necessarily better or put us in a better position in life.
Reduce. If the thought of going without these "small things" takes the joy out of living, try cutting back instead. Rather that purchasing a magazine or paperback book, why not read or borrow it at your local public library?
Replace. Substitutes can help you save on some of the cost. Instead of a long distance phone call, send a personal note; instead of going out for ice cream, buy a half gallon at the supermarket and serve it up at home.
Choose a "big thing" that you would like to work toward buying,
and start saving today. Whatever your strategy for saving, make it a point
to physically keep the money "saved" separate from your other
funds. If will power is a problem, make the money you save hard to get:
1) make the savings inaccessible by an ATM, 2) take money you save out
of your wallet daily, 3) store coins in a container that is sealed shut,
or 4) make frequent bank deposits.
Try the 3 R's of Money Management worksheet.
