Which one simple phrase has changed the way you think about money?

MSE_James

Hi everyone – MSE James here 👋

I recently joined the Forum Team and though I thought I knew my way around MSE, the huge range of MoneySaving topics covered by our boards still amazes me every day.

We all know the simplest tips are often the best (like Martin's Money Mantras obviously), and I’d love to know what your top tip or phrase is that has fundamentally changed how you approach money and spending.

The phrase that's really changed my budgeting for the better is “give every pound a job” – this really helped me be less impulsive when I was self-employed and finances were tight. 

Please share your short and sweet budgeting tips and we’ll see if we can come up with a fun way to get some of them out to everyone, maybe on our social channels!

cricidmuslibale

Always be grateful for any amount you receive, no matter how small it is, and don't fritter it away!

lr1277

From the Rich Dad, Poor Dad book(s):

An asset is something that net of all costs puts money in your pocket. A liability is something that takes money out of your pocket, net of all costs.

So your house is not an asset unless you rent out a room that covers your mortgage.

You could also live in a cardboard box as that will have minimal costs, but there are certain advantages to having an address.

Thrugelmir

Mighty oak trees from acorns grow. 

Look after the pennies and the pounds take care of themselves. 

trickydicky14

The Aggregation Of Marginal Gains

MovingForwards

A want is not a need.
Is the item in my hand / shopping basket / window shop something I need to replace something or is it something I want although I've others which serve the same purpose.

How long do I have to work to buy this want.

Round up and move the pennies to a separate savings account, it soon builds up.

Treat savings as another bill and pay it when the other bills are paid. 

IvanOpinion

Earn it first, spend it later

jimjames

trickydicky14 said:

The Aggregation Of Marginal Gains

That's a great one for so many things!
The one in my signature is one that it always worth bearing in mind

mrschaucer

"Compound interest"

RetSol

Look after the pennies and the pounds take care of themselves

You beat me to it, @Thrugelmir.  One of my father's favourites, that one.
He was also fond of saying that: "charity begins at home".  You don't hear that one very often today, in the age of "wokery"!
And then there's Mr Micawber's famous piece of advice - 'Annual income 20 pounds, annual expenditure 19 [pounds] 19 [shillings] and six [pence], result happiness. Annual income 20 pounds, annual expenditure 20 pounds ought and six, result misery. '

quirkydeptless

"Read Money Saving Expert"