Let’s face it, adulting is hard especially in 2016. It seems like no matter how much we earn, money seems to slip by our hands. We all want to have good things but it seems like we can’t afford it anymore. It seems doubly difficult if you live a call center lifestyle. Living from paycheck to paycheck is hard. Here are some tips to help you tighten the belt around that budget:

1. Don’t spend more than you earn

   

   The general rule for money is that you should never spend more than you have. This includes credit cards, debts, and loans. Unless you absolutely need it, do not, under any circumstances loan money from anybody. Sure, it is convenient to own a credit card but it is much better to have savings than have a negative income. The less you spend, the more you will have for your saving and more important things. Plus having debt in the current economy is like going into a spiral that you will have difficulty getting out of. Always alott for your savings in every payout. You will never know when you will need it.

2. Set specific goals

   

   Part of adulting is sacrificing part of the things you want over the things that you need. To do that, you should list down the specific goals you have for your money; their allocation. It’s all about disciplining yourself to stick to the things you’ve listed down. Sure, it’s tempting to go out with your co-workers to destress over a few bottles of beer but you must remember that there are more important things your should spend your money on.

3. Maximize your technology

   

   There’s an app for everything right now. One of the more useful ones are budgeting apps that help you keep track of your expenses. They come with charts and colorful graphs. Having a visual representation can help you limit your spending. They can even tap into stores and find you discount brochures over the internet. There are hundred of bargains that can secretly be found in the inner workings of the internet. You just have to know the right website or app to help you do so.

4. Keep things as simple as possible

   

   Living a call center life is not simple in itself. It’s a hectic life. It’s also an expensive one. The clothes that you need to wear have to be “corporate” or “business-like”. And those are not cheap. Transportation is also a big issue especially at night or at early mornings since attendance takes a lot of percentage in an agent’s metrics. Eating good healthy food is also expensive not to mention your daily expenses at home. The best thing to do is to keep things as simple as possible. Stick with the basics. It’s only too easy to overdo when it comes to buying the things we need. We often make excuses to justify our spending but at the end of the day, it boils down to how much we really need. Again, buy what you need not what you want.

5. Invest

   

   In today’s economy, adulting is harder since having a stable job can only help you keep afloat with your expenses. If you really want your money to grow, it is best to invest. You should have multiple sources of income. A good small business can be helpful in the long-run. You can also invest in some really good stocks (research well before doing so!). Remember that nobody became a millionaire by simply being an employee. Go out there and find ways to make your money grow.

Sources:

Huffingtong Post has a guide on how to budget. Read it here.

Forbes.com also has tips on how to manage money. Read it here.

Moneyusnews discusses budgeting advice as well. Read it here.