Stretch That Paycheck Like A Pro

In an era of high spending, all any millennial and Gen Z woman wants is to make it through each month with a little extra cash to spare. But, with the high cost of living and low income, how do you go about it? You figure out how best to manage your money. Shihaam Hassanali crunches some numbers.

- Shihaam Hassanali

An active social life, a compulsive shopping habit and a need to have a cup of joe every morning can add up to near financial disaster. But this is not to say you need to put a cap on all fun and games—you just need to find your equilibrium. As you figure out what works for you, remember this balance is different for everyone. It took a long time to find mine, and in all honesty, it’s still a work-in-progress. Here are a few tips on what you can do to find your balance…

Set a budget

Having a set plan for the month is important. It’s a great way to manage your money and you can be as flexible as you need to be so that one month you have enough dough to enjoy a weekend in Arugam Bay by cutting back on eating out. To get started, create a Google excel sheet and start listing out your expected expenses each month. The categories you need to be thinking of are utility bills (rent, water, electricity, telephone, internet), credit cards, transport, food, entertainment and personal care. Then, start including the actual figures as and when you make the payments. Formulating a budget for each month will allow you to prioritise things better, ultimately allowing you to succeed.

Conquer the kitchen