save more money

I started using public transport more and I find myself running out of money a lot less thant before.Yeah!

At amritsar, inspite of my best intensions,I went window shopping at a fabric market (and dragged my grandma along too)She purchased two lenths of fabric,while the inevitable happened in my case.I fell in love with two difefrent colours at the same time.Trying to curb shopping, esp impulse shopping, I decided not to give in immediately and to think things over.However, like a spoilt child, my mind threw tantrums,and sulked so I could not rest in peace.Yeah,I knew by then that its best to stay away from markets if you dont want to shop.It doesnt help that everyone in my family, including my host, is a complusive shopper for clothes.
Next day,when I went back to shop(I HAd to…)I found that one of the two I wanted was sold, solving my dimemma for me.
I dont even wear salwar kameezes that much, and I had resolved not to buy things like clothes and personal care products for a while.Ah, well..babysteps.At least I held the impulse for a day.

I am going to put at least 22k in a high interest fixed deposit.I was going to do that today, but am waiting in case the interest rates go even higher(that seems to be hinted in financial newspapers.

I found a cheaper place- its actually nicer than earlier one and 2k less.That means I can save the difference.

I was going through my journal of 3 yrs ago, when I went to UK for vacation.I managed to budget it at 73,000!!! I wonder how I justified it.- maybe because it was the trip of a lifetime.
Most things i bought on that trip were a mistake. A tea kettle set I bought ata flea mkt only cost a pound, buta lot of trouble in bringing back.An oversized jacket I bought at a charity shop I realised didnt suit me much, so i gave it to my brother(who gave it to a friend later)I am happy I facilitated this cycle of giving, yet I did spend my hard earned money on it.Then there was this large stuffed bear from Stratford upon avon that I wanted on sight, but never loved once I brought it home.I must give it away as well.
One thing that I did save from the trip was a one pound cardboard chest of drawers I keep to store jewelry, odds and ends.
And the year after,I did buy some nice handbags from Hounslow high street, as well as many books I got real cheap from charity shops (which I returned after reading). but did bring back some pound store junk that peeks accusingly from kitchen(esp that tiny cute water dispenser that reeks of cheap plastic it is made of.Of course, same store also provided me with a DVD of Amelie- my favourite movie- somehting I will forever cherish.
The point to all this is, most things we buy on impulse we regret later and they become clutter that we eihter have to manage(or it manages us) or we give away with a twinge of guilt.
I also feel it obligatory to bring gifts for friends from abroad, even though it weighs me down so much the journey back becomes an ordeal.That will have to stop.
This year I am not planning to take expensive vacations in order to save money.