We've all been there, don't worry. Things are getting more expensive, and salaries aren't increasing at the same rate. Plus, even if they were, it seems that we’re not getting any smarter at how we allocate our expenses. Doctors’ appointments are easily neglected, but we can spend hundreds on the next party.

Before the thought even comes up, we're not here to tell you how to live your lives; we're just here to give you a few tips that may save you from the potential anxiety attacks of the last 10 days of the month.

#1 Don’t be impulsive. You don’t have to order both the beef and chicken.

Always remind yourself of what the “future you” may suffer from as a result of your choices. Don’t ignore the consequences of your choices and don’t over order or make impulsive decisions for the sake of immediately gratifying yourself at the expense of suffering later on. Rethink the decisions you make and ask yourself, is this a wise choice? If you find yourself leaning towards a “no”, then try and find it in you to resist the urge. You don’t have to buy both trousers if they look the same, and you don’t have to buy the entire supermarket whenever you have to go grocery shopping.

#2 Don’t go out with more money than you need; you'll spend it.

You know it, and we know it. Whether you put EGP 1,000 or EGP 500 in your wallet, you will spend it. You might as well keep it safe and only put as much as you will need. If you end up squandering your entire salary, you'll be getting yourself in real trouble before the month ends.

#3 It’s okay to spend the day at home; give yourself the space to relax.

Fight this urge that tells you that you have to be out and about every day doing something. It’s okay to spend time at home or chill with your friends. You do not need to leave the house every day. You need to respect your limits and understand that you have to make sacrifices in order not to put yourself in uncomfortable situations. It’s not just good for your wallet, it’s good for your mind and body.

#4 Girls, do your hair at home, and boys, no need to pay the bill.

Girls, if you aren’t going to a wedding, there’s no need to get your hair or nails done every day at the salon. Learn to do it yourselves, otherwise, not only will you develop a dependency on the place, but you will spend all your money on something you can do on your own. And boys, you don’t have to pay the bill to be a gentleman. If you're tight on cash, stick to your budget and don’t put a lot of effort into impressing someone.

#5 Don’t eat out every day. At some point, you’ll wish you could eat at home.

Food at home is the best. Don't be lazy; learn to get out of bed and cook! Prep your own meals, get creative. If you eat out all the time, you'll most probably run out of money by the end of the first week. Plus, your body will thank you for it later.

#6 Don’t go to the most expensive places; it is not cheap to admit that.

Fitting in or looking “cool” does not mean agreeing to go to the most expensive restaurants or clubs. If it’s too much for your budget, say it. It takes a lot of courage to say so actually. However, under no circumstance should you limit yourself or place yourself in an uncomfortable situation for the sake of not being an outcast; there is no such thing.

#7 Be smart about it; live your life the same, just do it cheaper.

Living a less expensive life does not undermine its quality whatsoever; it just means putting in a bit of effort and making a few sacrifices. If anything, it shows care towards yourself and a bit of input, which everyone needs to do at some point in their lives. Instead of paying for the golden cinema, pay for the normal one. You don’t have to go to the fanciest restaurants or the most expensive clubs to have a good time. At some point in our lives, one has to take responsibility for their limitations and act accordingly. This is what real character is; anything else is just a fake version of that.