How to save money

I am pretty sure that most of us know how to save money. But why it is very important to safe money? First and foremost, it helps you during an emergency. Just imagine you have an income every month and just spend it without save or you did save but not enough. From where you are going to get the money. Bank? parents? or friends? yeah, more debts and more stress. So, prevention is better than cure. Learn how to safe. 

As a student, I don't have a monthly income. I got my allowance from my scholarship and use it for my daily purchases and needs. And I can say that I am lucky because I don't have to pay for my tuition fees which are so expensive (I could never afford to pay back). So, what I would do is just save and save. That is the only way for me to have an amount in my bank account. 

But the question is how? How to save money?

1. Want vs. Need
We have to ask this question before we purchase anything. Do I need it? Is it necessary? or you want it because it is beautiful, and you just want it without any reason. You have to remember that not everything worth your money. Some tips. If you want to buy the item, pause for a moment. ask yourself that in 5 years are you going to regret if you don't buy that thing. If yes, just buy. and if not, you know the answer. 

2. Carry Cash
I found it easier to use e-wallet or debit card or credit card nowadays. But, based on my experience, when I use the virtual money instead of cash, I don't realize and aware of how much I spent. This is very dangerous because we tend to just buy, buy and buy without realizing how much we spend. But, some of the other people did track his/her money and do budgeting before purchase. But that are very rare cases.

3. Snap a pic. 
Like I say in the first point. You must distinguish between want and need. If you wanna buy clothes, for example, take the pic and save it. Look at it when you arrive at home and maybe try to search online for the same item to compare the price. why pay more right? so, the longer you delayed buying something the less you feel the need to buy. 

4. Don't Install shopping apps.
I cannot deny that shopping online through apps is the easiest and fastest way to get what you want. From my experience after installing shopping apps like Lazada, Shopee and Zalora for instance, I tend to open the apps regularly even if I don't have anything to buy. And without realizing it, I will accidentally buy something (yeah this always happens ahahahah R.I.P my money). So, as a precaution. Don't put yourself in a situation where you feel that you have to buy something unnecessary. To purchase an item online, just go to the website and shopping!

5. Compare online. 
If you go to a physical store and you wanna buy something, don't buy it immediately. Put it in your wish list and compare the same items online. You might get the same item, same quality with a way cheaper price. Don't be lazy to compare from different seller and shops. 

6. Save before you spend.
Some people will just save from the amount left after spending. Well, I cannot say that this is not a good step. Because some of us need to pay the house rent, bills and many more every month and only can save the balance amount. But if possible, try to split the money before you spend it. Save in your saving account and never touch or use the money for unnecessary things or event unless if you got an emergency. This is where financial planning and budgeting is important. 

There are many ways of saving money that we can practice. The most important things are having your goals and aim. Why we need to start saving in the first place. Forget about buying branded stuff, eat at a fancy restaurant or buying fancy cars if you don't have enough money. A simple life is better. The rich are not the person who has more money, but the one with no debts.