There is a stereotypical belief that women are tempted by sales. I would have to agree that there is a measure of truth in this. We like to feel we are getting great bargains.

I read a story over 10 years ago that said that, while women are perceived to be spenders, it is actually men who tend to spend larger amounts of money on “toys”. This was because women will buy a $200 outfit with accessories, but men will by a snow mobile.

The key to being able to buy both of these things without destroying your relationship is to NOT buy stuff on credit and to set money aside for it.

“But that will take years!!” I hear you saying. The reality is either way you go it will take years to purchase. One way it will take years to save up. The other it will take years to pay off [plus cost THOUSANDS more in interest].

To be clear, I’m not promoting a “matress” mentaility where we all stuff our money away and hoard it. What I am suggesting is balance. Don’t buy EVERYTHING you can afford. Make sure there is money left after your paycheck. Have smaller indulgece. I won’t say to avoid eating out entirely, but eat a little less, take advantage of specials and tip your server well. [You can spend $4 on a dessert you'll feel guilty about later OR add that money to a tip and help someone else in a down economy.]

If you’re married or share expenses with a partner you need to have an agreement about how money is spent and STICK TO IT. Make sure each person knows how much spending money they have. Then do with your spending money what you will. Instead of impulse buying and throwing the entire budget off, have a “fun money allowance” for each of you to do with what you will-guilt free and without comment from the other.

Remember, it isn’t spending that is bad, just as eating that isn’t bad. It is the over-indulgence of both that will lead to problems later on.

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Tiffany Colter is a passionate freelance writer whose credits include Today’s Christian, Charisma Magazine, Toledo Business Journal, and the Afictionado E-zine. Tenacious in her approach not only to create a great story, but also to mentor other writers, Tiffany can always be found in the presence of a book or laptop. A former world traveler who is fluent in three languages, she strives to reach those who are hurting around her.     She enjoys helping others build a strong business and writes a daily marketing blog for writers called the Writing Career Coach and a common-sense money management site, TheBalancedLife.com. Tiffany lives outside Toledo, OH with her husband, a recent cancer survivor, and their four girls.

Balance, Not Deprivation is a section designed for any person. It is about recognizing the danger of being TOO much of a saver. Wow, did I just say that? Yes. As a former tightwad I recognize that aggressive saving isn’t about fiscal responsibility, it’s about fear. This section is about how to enjoy small indulgences for a reasonable price.

What is your spending trigger?

A spending trigger is something that causes you to suddenly want to spend. For me it is the first warm day of Spring. Finally the sun is out; it is warm; the windows in my car are down [or if not, at least the vent is blowing in cold air instead of hot]. Everything feels great. I suddenly get the urge to go buy steaks, charcoal, and desserts.

Another spending trigger is when I’m all alone. Everyone once in a while all 4 girls are gone, my husband is out of town and I’m working all day at the house. I feel like going to the grocery and grabbing a few treats and making a nice dinner for one.

Those may not be your impulses. You might enjoy getting to the mall in the middle of winter. Maybe Fridays make you want to go to a restaurant. Whatever your spending trigger is, recognizing it can help you keep your budget in balance.

If yours is a weekly trigger you need to work it in to your budget [or simply ignore the impulse]. If you have the occasional trigger do what I do, spend the coin jar.  Use some kind of large jar [the bigger the better] and toss all your pocket change in it. If you can part with a dollar bill or two, put that in there as well. Then, when the impulse hits, dump your coins in to one of those Coinstar machines at the grocery and use the money to do something fun.

The key to saving money isn’t about NOT doing things all the time, is is about planning for those things so that you have the money waiting for you when the time comes.

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Bio
Tiffany Colter is a passionate freelance writer whose credits include Today’s Christian, Charisma Magazine, Toledo Business Journal, and the Afictionado E-zine. Tenacious in her approach not only to create a great story, but also to mentor other writers, Tiffany can always be found in the presence of a book or laptop. A former world traveler who is fluent in three languages, she strives to reach those who are hurting around her.     She enjoys helping others build a strong business and writes a daily marketing blog for writers called the Writing Career Coach and a common-sense money management site, TheBalancedLife.com. Tiffany lives outside Toledo, OH with her husband, a recent cancer survivor, and their four girls.