how to...

save money, even when there seem to be so many reasons to spend instead.

"but the sales are SO GOOD after christmas!"
- ok, I'll agree with that one! If you're gonna buy, buy now. BUT, if you're serious about saving, take your credit, access, whatever cards OUT OF YOUR WALLET. Replace them with the gift voucher/card thingos you got from you aunties cousins sister or Whoever. Insert any cash presents you received. REMOVE ALL OTHER CASH. If it Isn't There, You Can't Spend It. When you're shopping you WILL feel a tad depressed, but remember the trip/car/iPod/space mission you're saving for and it'll fade. If you do go for a massive blow out, remember you won't be able to spend money for ages afterwards, unless your just the worst saver ever and don't actually save anything.

"WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR FOR NEW YEARS?!?!?!"
- ummm, CHILL THE F*** OUT! Who are you spending new years with? Your besties? Boyfriend? Family?! They see you multiple times a week, and half of them probably won't take toooo much notice of what your wearing. Save something you bought in the boxing day/post xmas sales for NYE cause there is ZERO reason to spend AGAIN. Buy a $5 ring to wear if it makes you feel better, spend longer doing hair/make up. Borrow something for a sibling or sympathetic friend. New Years is [in my not-so-humble opinion] usually a massive disappointment. Think of how many cocktails you could buy in Thailand with the money you're thinking of spending on clothes. Yeah. I thought so.

"But magazines/blogs/rich friends/cunning advertising make it so difficult to stop spending, especially at this time of year."
Read a bloody book instead, and get some self control. This just isn't gonna fly as an excuse with anyone except MAYBE yourself. And even then, expect Shoppers Remorse. Though remember, that IS what receipts are for.
nb: I totally sympathise with this though, click to see why. Lucky for me shipping is a bitch and means its totally not worth it.

"It's christmas/my-birthday-soon, don't I deserve a present to myself? Been a long year..."
Pffffffft. Trust me when I say, this is difficult to write, but consider whatever you buy with any money/vouchers your present to yourself. It's hard, but it's not like you don't have other new things to occupy your time. Really. Don't lie now. OR buy yourself the most expensive drink on the menu when you go out for your bday, YUMMY and cheaper* than whatever else you were thinking of buying.
*I am fully aware this may not be true. Proceed with caution if you're in a cocktail bar on brunswick st...or similar.

"I'm soooo hungry I could dddddie!"AND "Coffee is my oxygen. Fading...Fast..."
GO HOME. EAT YOUR PARENTS FOOD/FOOD YOU'VE ALREADY BOUGHT.
I cannot stress this enough, eating out is the Absolute Best Way to Lose Money and have No Idea Where It Went. Avoid places like Pancake Parlour where the food is overpriced but delicious so there is no way you won't buy something. Find the cheap chinese bakery near your work, live off their sausage rolls. Trust me, there are ways around this, but be strong! The coffee thing...This is totally me. All I can say is make one before you leave the house in the morning and if you do buy, buy the smallest size. No extra shot, no expensive crap. At work, see if there isn't provisions for a kettle and a plunger, BYO grounds and hey presto! Instant coffee is a crock o' shite, don't go there, will not satisfy anything.

Now I just need to follow my own advice better...

Coming soon, the jeans i bought yesterday...oooooh crap I suck.