How to live comfortably on one salary

And everything seems to be fine: the salary was raised to the desired level (although … when is it enough?), It is issued on time, you have acquired modern gadgets. But by the end of the month, the situation becomes sad: the last stocks of provisions are being consumed, pet food is bought cheaper, and so on. Every time you reproach yourself: they say, why was it impossible to put off a couple of thousand right away until paycheck ?! You revise what you bought: another diary, a book that you’ll hardly read, shorts, although it’s autumn, and you think: what kind of idiot I am, now the money would come in handy.

Extra money is never extra.

Neil Gaiman English science fiction writer

Immediately there is a desire to change jobs, because somewhere they will pay more, and then problems should not arise. But if you already have them, the point is not at all in work, but in the fact that you do not know how to calculate the budget so that there is enough until the end of the month for everything you need. You scatter money while you have it, buying unnecessary junk.

How to pull yourself together?

A few simple rules that seem impossible at first. But over time, gradually accustoming yourself to them, you will understand that they really work! Tested on our own experience.:)

Rule number 1. Make the main expenses on payday, in extreme cases - the next day.

Think about what you consistently spend money every month? List the estimated costs. It should look something like this:

products that can be stored in a cupboard / refrigerator / freezer for a long time - 5,000 rubles;
utilities - 5,000 rubles;
mobile communications and the Internet - 1,000 rubles;
household chemical goods - 500 rubles;
medicines - 500 rubles.

The list, of course, can vary, but the basis is typical for most families. As you can see, this is only a fraction of your earnings. The other part remains. Remember: do not encourage yourself with unnecessary purchases (for example, the tenth smartphone case). As a last resort, go to a bowling alley, a movie theater, or an ice rink.

Rule number 2. Before going to the supermarket, make a list of everything you need.

Believe me, already during the first trip to Auchan you will notice that you pay less attention to things that are not indicated in the shopping list. This way you can reduce spending by about 1,000 rubles.

Rule number 3. Don't be fooled by promotions.

Stop buying groceries and chemicals just because they have red price tags or have tempting offers like "Free Third" or "Half Price Second" attached to them. You yourself understand that often such products just sit in the refrigerator and, in fact, you just throw them away!

Rule number 4. Remember the existence of the market.

In winter at -30 you won't go there, but in summer the market is an irreplaceable place. Firstly, vegetables and fruits are brought here directly from home gardens, which means that there is less chance of eating up chemicals. Secondly, there is an opportunity to bargain, and therefore, save money! Do not hesitate to ask if they will sell you potatoes for 20 rubles cheaper if you take 2 kilograms. Everybody does it, sellers are used to it.

Rule number 5. The piggy bank is your best friend.

Do you remember when you were a child there were such jars with a slot in the lid? And ceramic piggy banks in the form of all kinds of animals. In general, it's time to get a box in which you will save 10-15% of your salary. So you will provide yourself with a stash for the penniless end of the month, if it is still penniless, or put off for a major purchase or even a trip. Train your willpower!

Friendship with an indomitable beast

Thanks to the listed rules, you will stop complaining to your friends that again there is not enough money for the planned party. And by the end of the month, you will notice that the refrigerator is still full of food.

Love money, and then they will love you!