- Whenever I have a really high or a really low, I’ll throw $20-100 into my investments (usually VTI or VOO). I do this as a weird shot of dopamine knowing that I’m buying something, but also contributing to my future. To learn about ETFs (exchange traded funds), you can check out Vanguard for more info.
- I refrain from buying clothes throughout the year until black friday. I try to buy during Black Friday when they’re 40-50% off or get clothes from my sister. I have 7 year old jeans I bought from Black Friday and still wearing them now. I kid you not, I have gone through multiple seasonal cycles and am still wearing some old clothes that aren’t as “trendy” but still in great condition.
- I don’t care for instant shipping and will buy things from Temu to save money. These can be planters, chord holders, microphones that I want, but don’t need immediately. They all literally come from China anyways. They’re just white-labeled or pre-packaged differently. I’m someone who’d rather save on the marketing fluff and just get my product, so Temu works great for me.
- I try not to follow fashion or beauty influencers. Their job is literally to make you buy products so I stay away from them, unless they’re more well-rounded and focus on other aspects of life too. They are making money from promoting products on their social media channels, and they should to get their bag. I just don’t want to be influenced into buy items I don’t need, and it gets harder to know what they’re actually loving vs what they’re promoting to get commission.
- I use Empower’s personal capital, a net worth tracker to see where I am. This tool is popular amongst the personal finance community so that we can keep track of how much we’re making, saving, and keeping.
- I focus on making more money, rather than saving. To me, there’s more opportunity making money and more fun in it. You can focus on saving pennies, or you can focus on making more money for yourself. There’s a big difference, and because I’m still young without that many responsibilities, I’m okay hustling and working a bit more to save for my future.
- I see every job as a way to learn, to build new skillsets, and to evolve. No job is beneath you, especially when money is just money. There are friends who were laid off in tech. These were software engineers or marketing managers making big money, but some of them are driving Uber or picking up random shifts to make ends meet because they got laid off and have mouths to feed. Never shame or look down upon others who are hustling to make it out there. Money is money, and we need it to survive in this world.
Disclaimer: none of this is financial advice nor am I advising you to do anything here. This is what works for me, and each financial situation will vary from person to person.
