Surefire Ways To Save Money Aside From Quitting The Lottery

One of the pastimes that my father has passed on to us was betting on the lottery. Whether you are an avid fan of the 4D or TOTO, many people believe that winning these can give them a shot to be a crazy rich Asian overnight.

Reality check! That is not the case for many of us. In fact, a recent Facebook post showed that you can earn a significant amount of money by saving your “lottery funds”. Eilin Tan from Malaysia shared how her father saved up all the money he would normally spend on buying 4D. He started last January 2018. A year later, he found that the total savings was equivalent to the top prize. Both were shocked! Netizens estimate that the money could be worth RM6,000 to RM15,000 (about S$1,900 to S$4,900).

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Much like Eilin’s father, you can commit to simple changes in your life to improve your finances. Start with these aspects:

#1: ASSIGN A FINANCIAL DATE

Much like designating a day for your beloved, you must assign a day to assess your finances. The first step towards saving money is to look at your current spending habits. Which categories can you cut down on? Find specific areas in your expenses which you can reduce without compromising your lifestyle.

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Afterwards, you must track your progress in relation to your financial goals. Spend time with your money to improve your financial life.

#2: WAIT BEFORE YOU CHECK OUT

When it comes to saving money, make delayed gratification your best friend!

These days, you can get anything you want with a quick click or tap of a button. There is an instant gratification for almost anything you can think of. To combat impulse buying brought by said convenience, you may find a buffer. Employ a self-imposed waiting time. Wait a day or two before spending your money on things that cost more than S$60. When you practice this on a regular basis, you will realize that most of your purchases are triggered by wants rather than your needs. Moreover, you will be able to save more money and work towards mindful spending.

#3: CHOOSE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

Minimalism is one of the latest trends that I subscribe to. It encourages consumers to choose quality over quantity. This can be applied to clothes, gadgets, food, home decorations, bags, and so on.

Yes! It may be tempting to purchase cheaper alternatives on a regular basis. However, you must remember that your small purchases add up! Choosing quality products will help you save money in the long run.

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What is the best that you can afford now? Use the cost-per-wear philosophy when it comes to clothing, accessories, and shoes. Stick to classic silhouettes, which you can use for a long time.

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6 Things Lottery Winners Hid From You

You always see a long queue of diverse people in Singapore Pools outlet. Whether they are young or old, women or men, they all want one thing – to win the jackpot. The truth is, no one really knows what happens next after the winner had claimed the hefty load of cash. Lucky for us, some of the past lottery winners shared their personal experiences.

1. WINNERS ARE STILL BETTING

Past winners are not giving up in hitting the jackpot once more even though they are aware that the chances of winning are remote.

2. IN COMPARISON, MUCH SEEMS LIKE LESS

According to the past winners, after winning they find themselves in a room full of other lottery winners. Some won more than the others. This perceived inferiority made some of them feel poor again.

3. MONEY DISAPPEARS IN A SPAN OF 5 YEARS

Whether the winners won hundred million or a million, about 70% lose the money in five years or less. This is why I suggest you to plan your financial expenditures, make smart consumer choices, and invest in the stock market in case you won. This will help you grow your money and maintain your lavish lifestyle.

4. FIGHT THE IMPULSE

Having loads of money made several of the winners spend it right away. I am not talking of small impulse purchases rather they are serious life choices such as buying a mansion. Now, some of them are selling these said impulse purchases because of its impracticality. The take away from this is that although it is very tempting to spend your money right away, we must handle our money wisely whether it is hundreds or millions. Identify long-term goals first and purchase accordingly.

5. YOUR FRIENDS MAY CHANGE

Due to the sudden change in the winners’ lifestyles, some of their friends seem uninterested in the things they can afford such as flying overseas for the weekend. Also, some so-called friends came up to them with a depressing story and asked for money. Be careful, pretty soon you will know who your true friends are.

6. SHARE YOUR BLESSINGS

What really matters most to the winners is the fact that they are able to help others. When donating money to charity, they suggest to never giving it all at once. This is done one can make sure that the money is spent well.

Image Credits: J. Money via Flickr

Image Credits: J. Money via Flickr

Source: Reader’s Digest Magazine January 2014

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