15 Ways Game of Thrones Can Save You Money
Perfectly timed with the recent release of the new Season 5 trailer for Game of Thrones, it only felt appropriate that aside from taking an hour of your week at least, the show can actually also teach you how to save money.
No one likes to talk about money problems, but the fact remains that the average American household has $15,611 worth of credit card debt. If you are in the same boat, chances are you’ve tried different budgeting techniques but still aren’t seeing results. For many, the main issue isn’t the technique but a fundamental misstep in the process. While the infographic below can provide some basic tips on the amount you can save by cutting out certain expenses, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Why are you budgeting? If you’re only setting up a budget because you think it’s a good idea, you likely won’t stick to it. The reason you are budgeting isn’t just to get out of debt, it’s to help you spend less than you earn in the long term.
- What is your goal? For many people, it’s living debt free. For others it might be purchasing a house or car. Whatever the reason, your goal should be long-term and have a big impact on your life. After all, a budget will require you to make some difficult choices such as cutting out entertainment and delaying gratification. If you have an impactful goal in mind, you’re more likely to stick to a budget.
- How much do you make? You might automatically answer your annual salary, but in reality you are taking home much less than that. Look at your actual take-home pay once all of your taxes, benefits and other charges have been taken out.
- How much do you spend? It’s easiest to budget when you have a clear idea what you are actually spending per month on recurring and irregular payments. For a couple months, keep track of exactly how much you are spending.
- What can I cut? Once you’ve tracked your spending, you can then start to see what you can reduce and what you can cut out. Don’t jump immediately into cutting everything except the necessities. Start out gradually and then see what makes the most sense to you to keep or exclude.
Budgeting doesn’t have to be painful, but you do have to be willing to give up a couple luxuries in order to fill your checking account.
