(ThyBlackMan.com) Are you pockets a little light? You’re not exactly diving into coins like Uncle Scrooge? Well, here are ten things not to just blow your cash on. Hopefully, cutting a few or all out will keep some cash in your wallet. Well, one can hope anyway. As you know, life happens and there goes the last little bit you were holding on to.
Simply tragic.
Buying The Latest Phone In Full
Ohhh no. Now, you might be thinking “People actually do that?” Some folks got it like that. If you’re not one of those folks, the obvious course of answer is to get that phone on your carrier’s payment plan. Now and days, the latest, hottest phones clock in at over $800 and sometimes even $1,000 depending on who’s making it. However, a payment plan of $40 or $50 month doesn’t look so bad. Not only that, but you would’ve paid off that phone over the year—just in time to trade it in for the next version of the phone.
Trust me, it’s less painful to pay the phone off over time and not worry about how big of a depreciation hit it will take.
Getting The Latest Phone Period
If you’re like me, you keep up with the latest smartphone coming out and you try to see how big of a leap it will be at launch. It’s like the technological leap between PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 compared to the leap between Madden NFL 19 and Madden NFL 20.
You can expect a significant leap in technology on a piece of tech that is meant to come out every couple of years but not so much on a title that comes out every year. Phones are in the middle as it’s a piece of tech that comes out every year. That is where you have to be the savvy consumer and show some restraint if that new phone just doesn’t have a ton of razzle dazzle to warrant picking it up as soon as it hits shelves.
It’s hard, I know.
Dining Out Often
I love to dine out. It’s fun and the food is often delicious but it’s more of a once a week or once every two weeks thing with me. It wouldn’t be that big of an issue if my restraint was better when it came to dining but sometimes you see a place early in the week and decide “Oh, we should go there later.”
This isn’t to say “Cook at home!” That would help a ton and soften how much of a hit your wallet takes but not everyone can cook. Ultimately, you’ll just have to show some restraint and not eat out several times a week. A few times is fine, just think of your wallet.
Dining Out Expensively
Okay, so you’re still dining out five or more times a week. Let’s just cross “restraint” off the list—wait. You could still go out as often as you do but just be wiser about where you eat. With that said, Groupon, restaurant app deals, and just cheaper places are your friends.
Restraint manifests itself in many different ways. Just find out what way works for you. If dining out often is just what you do, then dine out often cheaply. However, if you have to eat expensively then do it occasionally. You’re not…Emperor Caligula and every meal must be the most decadent and you must eat it daily.
Cinema Concessions
What’s the sound effect for a buzzer in text? ENHH! Movie theater concession stands are murderous to your wallet. Sure, everyone wants that movie experience and to get that popcorn, soda, and candy but when paired with the price of tickets now and days the experience is unappealing.
You’ve got three options. You could get on with the theater’s customer club thing that gives discounts on concessions. That’s a nice, non-shady way to protect your wallet. However, if you’re with the shadiness, you sneak your own snacks in. You could always eat before going to the movie but then there will always be someone who wants a snack even after they just ate.
I’m partial to just sneaking your snacks in.
Putting the Least Amount on Gas…When You’re Near “E”
Sometimes it can’t be helped. You get to the counter, stretch your neck to see which pump you’re at and you go “Can I get $5 on number 5?” or it might ten dollars—it doesn’t matter if you’re on or touching “E”.
The only time you should put five or ten on gas is if you’re topping it off or getting it past the middle line. As I said, sometimes it can’t be helped. Sometimes, that’s all you got on you at the moment. That said, half the time it’s avoidable not to end up with the least amount for gas.
Aimless Riding Around
Okay, so you just went ahead and put five dollars on number five. You know what you don’t do? Ride around aimlessly like you have twenty dollars or a full tank. As a matter of fact, if you managed to get the arm to lift off the “E” mark, go home. Were you just riding to see what you could get into? Nothing is the answer. Go home.
If you were on “E” and you dumped five or ten dollars in there, either your car gets some futuristic mileage, you’re trying to stretch the little you have in your pocket, or that was the last of your cash. If your car isn’t holding gas like that, call it day, call it a wash, call it a wrap.
Getting Games Brand New
Some games, you’re just going to want on launch because you’re a fan of the franchise. In other cases, games have so much hype behind them that you kind of feel like you have to buy it. Or maybe you just know this game is going to be the best ever.
Sometimes the game doesn’t match the hype and since you’re likely to get it digital now, you’re stuck with a game that was alright at best. The solution to this? Wait a bit and get it when the price drops. Wait for those seasonal sales—usually around the holidays. Cyber Monday and Black Friday? Hit those games up then!
Hitting Up Amusement Places All The Time
Now, an amusement place is different from an amusement park. Chuck E. Cheese’s and Dave & Busters are amusement places—and you don’t have to take your brood to them every week. Yes, you want your kids to have fun and enjoyable memories but there are times when they shouldn’t go.
Like when their report cards are so reprehensible that taking them would make you a Mark of the Year candidate. The thing is, if their report cards a good, some amusement places will actually give you tokens for the kids to spend. A certain amount for A’s and B’s.
That’s easier on your wallet to the point you don’t have to slide several bills in for token because your awesome little D-F honor roll student wants to play Guitar Hero again. Make going out to amusement places a reward, a sign of your appreciation that a kid performed the one job you gave them well.
Going To The Movies Opening Night
Alright, you decide “We’re going to get the big thing of popcorn and the biggest drinks. Oh, and nachos!” None of that sunk in. Okay, that’s cool. How about next time, you see the film the following week or even later. Theaters often move films to matinee prices after they’ve been out for a few weeks.
I understand some films benefit from that community viewing experience in theater but there are sometimes when you just have to go it alone. You, the gas station burgers you snuck in your purse or your lady’s purse, and your wallet—not on its deathbed until next payday. You’re a hero.
Staff Writer; M. Swift
This talented writer is also a podcast host, and comic book fan who loves all things old school. One may also find him on Twitter at; metalswift.