How to save if there is no money anyway

In Russia, about 20 million people have incomes below the subsistence level. When you get a penny, there is no time to save on a large purchase. Even creating a financial cushion is very difficult. This situation is desperate. Tips like “don't buy coffee to go” won't help if you don't buy it anyway. That is why you need to take control of money with a vengeance. Be aware of this and you will correct the situation.

1. Start budgeting

This is useful for everyone, but especially with a small salary. You will see what exactly your money is spent on and plan the necessary expenses.

Take a regular notebook or dedicated app and record your income and expenses throughout the month. At the end of the term, analyze the accumulated information. See how much is spent on food, transportation, entertainment, home shopping. Think about what you can give up to save money. Based on this, plan your finances for the next month.

2. Pay Mandatory Bills Immediately

Do not postpone the payment of loans and utilities until later. Immediately after the paycheck, it seems that there is a lot of money and you can buy whatever you want. This deceptive feeling can lead to debt. For late payments, penalties are charged. If you accumulate them over several months, you can find yourself in a very difficult situation.

3. Determine what you are willing to give up and what not

It's pretty hard to cut yourself down in everything. Constant restrictions poison life. In such a state, it is easy to break loose and buy something unnecessary, just to get rid of the oppressive feeling. Therefore, think about what you agree to save on, and what not.

For example, if you love swimming or painting, these activities brighten up your life and charge you with positive emotions. Don't give up on them. Calculate how much a month you spend on your favorite hobby and save that amount on another category of expenses.

4. Look for free counterparts

If you have a lot of hobbies and hobbies, you shouldn't spend money on everything. Surely you can save on some.

If you love reading, don't buy books, but borrow them from the library. Now many even have electronic versions available.
If you are learning a foreign language for your own pleasure, do not take paid courses. There are enough sources on the Internet for self-study: videos, exercises, series with subtitles, services for communicating with foreigners.
If you want to exercise, don't buy a gym membership. Train at home, run in the park, look for free workshops.

5. Don't buy things just because they are cheap

Most likely, they are of lower quality and will last less. If you are looking for shoes or outerwear, choose something of a higher quality. Let it be more expensive, but the thing will stay with you for a long time.

Cheap things can be bought for small children. They grow quickly, so it won't be a shame that the clothes have worn out in just a few months.

6. Buy handheld

If you need sports equipment, children's furniture, or a fancy dress, you don't have to buy new ones. There are good things on classified sites that have only been used a couple of times. Someone changed their mind to go in for sports, someone did not fit the thing in size or simply did not like it. Don't miss the opportunity to save money by ditching used items.

7. Unsubscribe from store mailings

Each new letter is a source of temptation. After seeing the message about discounts, promo codes and secret promotions, you will want to buy something even if you don't need anything. At the end of such letters there is a link for unsubscribing, follow it and live a little calmer.