NDSU Extension Service
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North Dakota State
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Money is more fun to spend than to think about. But if you are a good money manager, you can make money go further. If you stop and think before you spend money today, you may have more to spend tomorrow.
Do you buy things because you need them? Spending for things you want is different than spending for things you need. What would happen if you waited to buy an item you want now? What if you waited for a month? A year?
Try for one day to keep track of everything you buy. What about the things
you use that cost money? Include these things on your list, too. Are you spending
money needlessly? Are you getting top value for your money?
Spending Diary ------------------------------ Date_____________ Item Amount _______________________ ______ _______________________ ______ _______________________ ______ _______________________ ______ _______________________ ______ _______________________ ______
Have you ever looked at the same thing in several stores when you shopped? Before you spend money, think about your purchase. Is it something you need now?
Make a list of the features you want in the item you plan to purchase, including price. Then number them in order of priority. Is price your first priority? If you must spend only what you have now, price might have to be first.
Read sale ads and begin comparison shopping. List the features of your shopping selections. Remember to keep within your budget.
Comparison shop until you feel you can make a wise purchase. Go back to your priority list of features and decide what is best to buy.
Now you will be able to make the best purchase for your money. Your mom or dad can help you make your decision. Magazines such as Zillions (Consumer Reports for Kids) or Consumer Reports have lots of comparison-shopping stories.
Comparison shop for a game to play at your next birthday party. Examples of choices: Monopoly, Scrabble, The Game of Life, Yahtzee or Pictionary. (Trade names are used as examples only. They are not intended as product endorsements.)
NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University of Agriculture
and Applied Science, and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Duane Hauck,
director, Fargo, N.D. Distributed in furtherance of the acts of Congress of
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