You've persevered with your budget. You are feeling pleased with yourself but wait… there are some expenditure items that stick out like a huge, throbbing sore thumb! You also notice that the column marked 'miscellaneous' is a lot longer than you had expected. Fret not! These are some pointers that could help you deal with them:

• Write down all the poor spending practices you have noticed (while carrying out your budget exercise) and change!
  

• Write down how you plan to bring about the changes in each area.

• Pay yourself first. Set up a separate savings account. Once you get paid, immediately transfer a portion, say 5% of your gross pay, to the savings account. You should increase this percentage gradually. Only access the funds upon emergency. Make it harder for you to touch these funds by not getting an ATM card.

• Next, closely examine all 'oversized' expenses and look for ways to increase value or save money.

• Look for alternatives and substitutes to spending.

• Discontinue all use of credit cards. Close credit card accounts by returning charge cards to issuers along with a letter terminating charging privileges.

• Do not take on new debts.

• Put all extra income towards paying off debts.

• Begin collecting and making notes on your cash purchase receipts.

• Review all insurance coverage for duplication, higher deductibles, etc.

• Begin saving all pocket change, everyday.

• Start doing things for yourself that you paid others to do previously.

• Separate shopping trips (when comparing prices, value, reparability, etc.) from spending trips (when actually making the purchase). Avoid carrying credit cards, much cash or a chequebook on the shopping trips.

• Obtain a minimum of three alternatives and comparison prices before purchase.

• Don't buy on impulse. Put items on an impulse list and wait 30 days to purchase.

• Pay cash for everything (except for big-ticket items like airline tickets) or don't buy it.

• Wait for special sales - ask retailers when sales dates are planned.

• Double check value, reparation, price, guarantees on all major purchases.

• Learn to read and understand all advertisements.

• Read all labels and product literature carefully.

• Use a list for grocery and household items; make sure you stick to it.

• Go shopping alone - especially for household and grocery items.

• Buy private label brands where economical and practical.

• Don't take a casual attitude towards money because it can bring about many financial consequences in the future.

• Maintain good records. Keep receipts and make reminders about cash spending.