ACCC provides consumers with nine tips on how to better control spending
Boston, MA – July 7, 2018
Many consumers find that they spend their paycheck as fast as they earn it. Often times this leaves consumers with the question, “where did it all go?” In an effort to help consumers, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) has created nine tips on how they can control their spending.
“Spending money can be too easy, but it is possible to take control and eliminate the bad habits that can lead to financial trouble,” said Steve Trumble, President and CEO of American Consumer Credit Counseling. “The most important step when it comes to spending is practicing self-control. Think before you buy. Before making a purchase, decide whether it is a need or a want.”
According to a survey by Hloom, almost 70 percent of Americans waste the most money going out to eat. The survey also found that only 17 percent of consumers do not consider themselves wasteful with their money. According to a survey by GoBankingRates, 57 percent of respondents have less than $1000 in their savings accounts and 39 percent have no money saved.
American Consumer Credit Counseling offers nine tips on how consumers can control their spending.
- Track spending – Tracking where your money goes can be easy. Certain apps will help you track what you are spending your money on so you can see where to cut back.
- Cash only – To help control spending, take out only the money you need. By using cash you are able to physically see your money leave your hands and you won’t be left with any surprises.
- Budget – It is important to have a budget. By creating a budget, you are creating a spending plan to ensure you always have enough money for necessities.
- Have a list – Make a list of what you need before you go shopping and stick to it. This will help you avoid “impulse buys”; items you didn’t plan to purchase but that got your attention anyway.
- Ask yourself if you need it – When shopping online, don’t buy things without considering if you really need them. If you are tempted to buy an item, put it in your cart. Then wait a few hours or a few days and think it over.
- Compare prices – Comparison shop before you buy, especially when you are making big purchases. Check out a few stores and online options to find the best price and look at similar items.
- Live within your means – Only spend what you have. Maybe it is time to stop using your credit card all together and stick to your debit card or cash.
- DIY – If you have a project around the house, do some research and fix it yourself instead of spending the extra money to have someone do it for you.
- Understand needs vs wants – Needs are the things we can’t survive without, like housing, clothing, and food. Wants are the things that will make our life more pleasurable but we can survive without them, such as travel and entertainment.
About American Consumer Credit Counseling
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nonprofit credit counseling 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial management through credit counseling, debt management, bankruptcy counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling and financial education concerning debt solutions. To help consumers reach their goal of debt relief, ACCC provides a range of free consumer personal finance resources on a variety of topics including budgeting, credit and debt management, student loan assistance, youth and money, homeownership, identity theft, senior living, and retirement. Consumers can use ACCC’s worksheets, videos, calculators, and blog articles to make the best possible decisions regarding their financial future. ACCC holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®). For more information or to access free financial education resources, log on to ConsumerCredit.com or visit https://www.consumercredit.com/debt-resources-tools/
