Spending Less Money : Bank with People not with Your ATM Card

Remove the ATM card from your wallet and put it in the closet with your emergency credit card. Once a week go to a real live bank teller and withdraw sufficient cash for all your normal spending needs by writing a check out to cash. You will end up spending less when you’re forced to recalculate your balance.

What if you need emergency spending money? Why do you need emergency spending money? You have got your American Express card for emergencies.

Don’t have enough cash to buy a spontaneous lunch out, or to pick up that new CD you heard on the radio? Then save for it. Worried you won’t have enough cash to go out to the movies Sunday night? Plan ahead. Then, when the money is in your wallet, make sure you remember it’s there for an already defined purpose, not for a sudden whim. If you do succumb to that spontaneous buy, you will have to skip the movie.