If you are having troubles with money you should spend less. This is the most overlooked and most efficient way to get out of debt and make more money. You can amass a small fortune in a couple of years just by following this get out of debt advice. Frugality should define your lifestyle.
Before I purchase anything I ask myself: "So I really need this? Do I already have something that can replace this?" I make sure I spend money only if I have too. If I don't really need the thing I intend to buy I back down and spend my money more wisely.
For instance a while back I was desperate about buying a new cell phone. I was scrambling for money. When I realized what I was doing I took a step back and analyzed the situation. Did I really need a new fancy cell phone? No! My cell phone was good enough and it had all the functions I needed(the calling one). A newer cell phone was useless to me sine the old one was good enough. I would have thrown the money out the window if I would have bought a new cell phone. I still have my old cell phone and it works just fine. True it doesn't look as good as the new ones but it does its job.
So from now on ask yourself before you buy anything: "Do I really need this thing?". If the answer is no don't buy it. Impulsive buying is very dangerous, especially if you are spending credit money. If you have borrowed money you should spend it wisely on something that stands a chance of making more money.
If you buy junk stuff that depreciates very fast and has no real value for you, except making you happier for the moment, you will hit financial troubles sooner or later. I bet on the sooner. There are plenty of ways to make you feel better, that are also super cheep. You don't need a whole wardrobe or expensive clothes, cars, watches... You could get a gym membership and start working out. Regular exercising lets loose happy chemicals in your body. Besides you also get healthy which means you will spend less on medical bills.
Frugality is an art. It doesn't mean that you cannot indulge your desires and buy yourself something nice and expensive form time to time. If you have the money you should do it, but not all the time. You don't need that much stuff anyways. How many clothes can you wear, how many cars can you drive, on how many cell phones can you talk?
We are a consumer driven society and we are trained form our childhood to buy buy buy and buy some more. You have to overcome this deadly habit and get healthy money habits. The top money management habit you should get is spending less, far less money and buying only things that you desperately need or will help you make more money in the future.
Good advice. I used to struggle with managing my spendings since i used my credit card for everything. And when the bottom line was drawn, it was a sad sight. But i decided to change that in a simple way, i use cash. I permanently carry cash with me for my daily needs, sort of like an allowance. Plus i make lists for shopping and when i go shopping for goodies, i only take with me enough money to cover the list plus a little extra.