Righto, this ISN’T one of those dumb personal finance columns that starts with having one less coffee a day and how rich it’ll make you in 99 years time. Those
Image via msmoney.com.au
make me want to go out and buy an extra large latte just to spite whoever the stupid columnist is that’s actually suggesting something like that.
But sometimes, I think we have to sit back for awhile and actually work out what we do in day with our cash. Do you buy turkish toast + coffee at work, go eat a nice takeaway for lunch, eat out for dinner, then raid the corner store each evening for snacks? Do you catch cabs when you can’t be bothered getting the bus twice a week, buy 3 cocktails at eighteen bucks apiece on weekends, pay for an expensive gym you hardly ever use, and shop at the expensive local deli instead of a local supermarket? See, that kind of lifestyle is totally fine if you’re earning a massive income, but how many of us are?!
Have a think about where and when you spend all your money. If you’re having trouble keeping track of where the $200 went you got out of the ATM three days ago, chances are you’re buying takeaway food, using an expensive means of travel and just generally living way above your means.
Think carefully each time you shell out the cash, and pretty soon you’ll find yourself more aware of where and when that cash is disappearing. Or you could consider keeping a money diary if you really can’t fathom where you lost your fortune.
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