Expensive movie tickets, burgers with extra cheese, a rickshaw ride to reach anywhere further than a stone's throw... And, of course, the clubbing, the socialising, the dinners. I guess this is what the start of the month looks like to a teenager flush with pocket money.
Come month-end, though, and you are left scratching for change. This need not be the story month after month. The right kind of spending, with a bit of restraint, could actually see you saving a few bucks instead of leaving you cash-strapped.
Here are a few pointers to help prioritise your expenses.
Clothes
We all realise how important the 'right' look is. The solution here is to choose discerningly and to mix and match well. It is pointless to spend all your money on your wardrobe.
~ Everyone is a sucker for fashion, especially 'branded' fashion. So don't stop buying a branded/ fancy top/ shirt or jeans; just make sure you pick and choose. Also make sure it stands out in your outfit. Don't waste money on wearing brands with brands. It's just too expensive; besides the garments lose their individuality and the money you spent on them may not seem justified.
~ The trick lies in choosing the right 'dominant' garment. Pick a couple of branded jeans. Match them with tee shirts, shirts, tops and kurtas from cheap outlets and small boutiques. Or, work at it the other way round. In case you prefer branded tops, your jeans don't need to follow suit.
~ Don't be a slave of impulse. Instead, buy selectively from exclusive outlets. Make the most of seasonal sales. The bigger, more popular brands have end-of-season sales. Save up for these. No one can tell the difference between a garment bought on sale and one bought at the regular price.
~ Factory outlets too have sales. Besides, a lot of the stock here is not damaged; it's just left over from the last season and is well worth the discount. Make it a point to buy sneakers and sports shoes only from factory outlets. They come with a discount of around 50-60 per cent. Besides, they have a fairly good range you can choose from.
~ What catches the eye is what stands out. Rather than following your peers in aping their shopping behaviour, develop a distinctive look. Everything you own is in fashion sooner or later. So do not discard unused or seemingly un-cool clothes. A boringly plain shirt might just be the right add-on to that pair of tee shirt and jeans.
~ Go for junk jewellery like rings, chains, anklets, bracelets, earrings and hair braids. They are real attention grabbers and function much like the icing on the cake. These small trinkets enhance your individuality and set you apart from the crowd.
Food
Eating out is the bane of every collegian's budget plan. More often than not, it's an act of friendly compliance. Understand that you need to pay for your meals, and not for the several group outings that you might be part of.
Make it a policy to go Dutch (share the expenses). You might lose out on a couple of treats, but you will reap the benefits in the long run.
~ Don't start blaming the lunches and dinners just yet. A square meal doesn't cause most of the damage; it is the added frills that hit the pocket hard. Try trimming down on the soda floats, colas, desserts and ice creams and you'll find your bill reduces by half.
~ Are you the victim of a sweet tooth? Do those cakes and ice creams seem irresistible? Don't forget; it's your craving for sugar, and not exotic desserts or ice creams, which make you splurge. Most times, a candy bar or even a sugar boiled sweet can easily rid you of the craving.
~ What about the in-between-meals hunger pangs? How do you tackle this one? Munch on a fruit, ideally an apple or a banana. Try consuming it an hour or so after a meal. Voila, the sandwich and the chaat stalls have one less customer! It is also a healthy alternative.
Entertainment
~ Mentally, slot movies as an option only on weekday mornings or afternoons. In the best case scenario, try getting tickets for the matinee show. With the quality of most theatres improving in the recent past, the lower end tickets are not a bad option at all. However desperate you are, never buy tickets in black. It's illegal, and it costs the earth!
~ Stack up on the food and drinks before the movie. More often than not, it's an additional Rs 50-Rs 100 that hurts over and above the cost of the movie.
~ At pubs, avoid stag entries. Most nightspots that charge a high cover charge might not be worth it despite the freebies. Go for the lower cover charge, and order for whatever extra you need. It turns out to be cheaper if you are in a group.
~ Afternoons and early evenings are a good time to visit gaming parlours, pool stations, etc, since they most probably have happy hours. You end up saving upto 40 per cent at times.
Travel
~ Try noting down the number of times you take an autorickshaw in the day, especially for your everyday routes. Look for friends or other acquaintances who frequent the same route at that time of the day, so you could share transport costs. Keep a lookout for student discounts on local buses and trains, they prove to be far cheaper than the auto and might just be worth the inconvenience.
~ There is nothing degrading about asking neighbours for a lift. Even if they are just going halfway to your destination, it's still a big help in cutting down costs. You could also organise a car pool or a travel group among college or school students from the locality.
Hopefully, these pointers will guide you towards saving money, or at least getting by comfortably. Remember, saving money is more of paying attention to the smaller expenses rather than avoiding one large expense.