Spending more time studying and limiting frivolous entertainment helps young people save money during times of rising prices. Photo: PHUONG LAN
The explosion of e-commerce platforms and the proliferation of live-streamed sales have become a spending trap for many young people. With just a touch, a wide range of items, from clothing and cosmetics to household goods, are quickly delivered to their doorsteps. However, after the brief joy of receiving the goods, there is often regret upon realizing that the items are rarely used. Aware of this, many young people are determined to quit online shopping.
Sharing her personal transformation journey, Ms. Nguyen Bao Ngoc, a resident of Long Xuyen ward, said: “Before, every time I scrolled through my phone and saw something interesting or on sale, I would click to buy it. My salary would be gone before the end of the month. Now, before adding anything to my cart, I always ask myself if I really need it or if it's just a temporary whim. Thanks to this, I've been able to save a little money from my salary these past few months.”
Having fallen into the trap of "shopping to relieve stress" a few times, To Lan Huong, a second-year student at An Giang University, believes she has to fight her conscience to avoid unnecessary purchases. Especially during exam periods, whenever she sees nice things online, Lan Huong wants to "buy them" to relieve stress.
“After those impulsive spending moments, I often reproach myself for wasting money. I update my monthly spending chart to clearly see the deficit and immediately ‘make up for it’ by tightening my belt the following week. To completely overcome this, I apply the ‘48-hour wait’ rule. Whenever I like something, I add it to my cart. After two days, I check again and find that 80% of the items I no longer need,” Lan Huong shared.
Besides cutting back on shopping, daily food expenses also account for a large portion of the family budget. Instead of opting for food delivery services or going out to expensive restaurants, many families are choosing to cook at home as an optimal solution.
Besides saving money, preparing meals at home is also a way to protect the health of loved ones. Faced with the financial challenge of raising three young children, Ms. Vo Ngoc Lai, residing in Long Xuyen ward, chose to return to cooking at home. Ms. Lai shared: “Every day, I cook breakfast for my three children at home. I have to make an effort to wake up a little earlier, go to the market to buy ingredients, and prepare the meals myself, ensuring both nutrition and food safety. The money spent on breakfast and lunch outside for the whole family each month is not a small amount; cooking at home helps my family save almost half of our living expenses.”
The "price surge" has significantly impacted the lives of students. The prices of food and drinks have increased considerably, leading to higher daily expenses. Since their income largely depends on their families, students are easily caught in financial difficulties. Furthermore, the rising costs of rent, electricity, and water—even if only around 100,000-200,000 VND higher than the same period last year—result in additional monthly expenses, placing a heavy economic burden on many students living away from home.
Nguyen Thi Lam, a second-year student at An Giang University, shared: “My parents only provide enough for basic expenses. If I need extra money for things like study materials or personal spending, it's quite difficult. Therefore, I have to save more and work part-time to cover my costs. However, my income from part-time work is unstable because it depends on my study schedule. Some months I have enough to cover expenses, but other months I have to carefully budget just to make ends meet.”
Saving money isn't about being stingy, but about smart and planned spending. Many young people apply smart financial management methods such as dividing their income into categories: essential expenses, long-term savings, education , and enjoyment... "Because I have a busy study schedule, I can't work many extra shifts; overworking could easily affect my studies and health. I choose to spend more wisely, limiting unnecessary expenses like eating out, shopping for frivolous things, or going out frequently. However, I still try to earn extra income when I have free time to avoid being dependent on my family," Lam said.
Sensible spending and practicing various money-saving methods demonstrate maturity in awareness and a sense of responsibility among young people towards themselves and their families. When young people appreciate the value of hard work and know how to save for potential future risks, they become more confident in facing life's uncertainties.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/that-chat-chi-tieu-a486745.html
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