1. Pay with actual cash when you can. Credit cards are a major cause of overspending. When we whip out the plastic, our mind goes numb; we don't process the transaction the same visceral way we do when we spend cash. （Think of it like using poker chips in Vegas -- only without Wayne Newton tunes cranking through the sound system.） In fact, some experts say people spend 15% to 30% more when using credit instead of cash. Spending actual cash forces you to think about every dollar you spend, so you experience a physical reaction to forking over $1s and $5s.

尽可能用现金支付。信用卡鼓励提前消费。当我们刷卡的时候，我们不会在乎那些钱，换做是付现金就好很多。

2. Set up an instant no-brainer budget. The "envelope" budgeting approach will help you get in tune with your spending in a snap. The idea is that you carry around just the amount of cash you want to devote to various spending categories （lunch, entertainment, cute shoes） for that week. Try it for the first couple of weeks in January and see how it affects your purchasing. Chances are it'll keep you from frittering away your money so much so that you'll tell the whole family to play along.

做一个粗略的预算。例如，将每周做的预算放在一个信封里，任何花费只能从这个信封里抽取。

3. Keep your big wants/dreams in the forefront of your mind. Think of every financial decision in the context of your larger money goals （be it buying a new coat, paying cash for your next car, or securing your retirement）. Before you toss a gossip magazine into your grocery cart while waiting in the checkout line or buy something just because it's on sale consider whether or not such purchases get you to that two-week cruise or covering Junior's college costs.

记清楚自己花钱的大项。在买娱乐杂志的时候，或一些细小的消费的时候，想想你是否有足够的钱去买新车，是否有足够的养老金。

4. Always shop with a list. It may be cliché， but shopping with a list will keep you honest. Studies show that as much as 60% of supermarket purchases are unplanned. With the average family shelling out $5,000 for groceries each year, that's $2,000 of unnecessary stuff running across the scanner.

购物前列一张清单。虽然看似繁琐，但是这样的清单可以让你合理购物。