How to: Budget & Use Your Money Wisely

Hey guys! I felt like doing a different post today because sometimes switching things up can be fun! Plus, I love sharing advice with all of you. Since the weather is getting way nicer, there's going to be a lot more to do: shopping, going on vacation, going out to eat, etc. And with that being said, I think it's very important to learn how to budget your money. 

Now you're probably thinking, "Natalie, you're 16 years old. How do you know how to budget your money?" Well, to be honest I don't. Being the teenager I am, I have learned a lot about how to make sure your using and saving your money right. I don't know that much about credit or bills but, I think my advice will be very helpful for all of you young bloggers and readers! This is just my advice with my current experience dealing with all things money. 

I am still in school and I will be going to college soon. I don't have a job and I only get to really work (or babysit) during my summer break. I know what it feels like to have no money and you're like "why can't I have like a full time job right now so I can go out and do or buy all these things?!" Saving my money has always been a struggle. I get it all! So here's a bit of advice:

Make Goals For Yourself

If you are really saving up for something you want, I like to set mini goals for myself. If I want a new pair of shoes but, can't afford to just drop a whole $60 then and there, I will set a mini goal every time I get a chance to make some money. I'll set aside some money later that way I can save up for those shoes while still having some money for things I will actually need. 

Think About What You Really Need

Now do you really need those $60 shoes? I guess it depends. When I go into a store and I find an item, I like to ask myself this simple question: Do I need it? If the answer is yes, ask yourself if it's worth spending $60 on and if you are able to really afford those shoes. If the answer is no, maybe you could wait until you grow out of the ones you have. 

Don't Worry About Others

So these shoes were worn by a famous celeb or a lot of people at school have them, does that mean you need them too? Will a piece of clothing or some trendy item like a selfie stick or a Swegway make you cooler? Who knows. Yeah sometimes every now and then I see some shirt or bracelet on someone that I think is cute and end up buying it later but, I feel like that's way different because I am buying this item for myself and not for others to think I look cool wearing it. Think about the item and it making you happy and not just getting accepted by your friends at school. 

Appreciate The Things You Have

Living in the midst of commercialism, the media, and a cycle of new technology, there's a lot of influence and pressure to buy the newest and prettiest things. The Apple Iphone for example. Everybody wants to keep upgrading and getting the new best thing. I understand that people have phone plans that allow them to get new phones but, is it really practical to get an entirely new phone every couple months? It's crazy. I am teaching myself to be more appreciative of the things I have and being grateful for all the things my parents do for me. A lot of people don't realize how much they have and how much they don't need. 

Prepare For The Future

Like I said before, I will be going to college in the next year or so and that is really crazy! So with that comes a whole lot of time working my butt off in order to pay off all of those big loans I have to take out during college. That means saving money now so I am not in humongous debt later. This also works for smaller future goals too. Make goals for yourself and think about what you will be doing in the future. 

Obviously I am not an expert on budgeting and my money experiences will eventually change. I feel though that having this mindset on how to save and be smart with how you spend will really effect and help your future and just your well-being in general. Money for a lot of people is really important and I try not to let it take over my life and be the very first thing I have to worry about. I hope this was a very helpful post and you guys know that this is just from my personal experience and thoughts about how to use money.

Xoxo, Nat