Hey, I just really need an outsiders view on this, because if I ask my family, it’s obvious what they will say. I have a job, but it doesn’t really pay that much, and they don’t pay me until like every 2 weeks. But anyway, I use the money to buy stuff I need, and I hardly waste any money, I just spend it on some clothes when I need them. I know you guys are gonna say, “Oh well you must be spending a heck of a lot” but I only ever spend $30, and that’s not even every week. But my family is kinda poor and their not used to things new being bought, and I was happy that I could afford things, I actually liked. My friends had jobs and had awesome stuff, and I personally don’t think much about wasting money, coz my satisfaction comes out of getting good stuff, not wasting it. What I’d like to ask, is whether you guys can help me get like a guide, or create one for myself, so I can save good, but still not have to deprive me of much, because personally, if I say that I can’t spend any money, I’m bound to spend some. I earn roughly $75 a week. I don’t have to pay rent, but I’m saving up for an item, but I’d like anyone with some spare time, to help me draft up this guide, which I can use as a spending guide.
See my sister hasn’t got a job, and she had a go at me, coz I couldn’t afford to buy her a top, and she told my mum, and now their considering me paying for my own music lessons, which I have no trouble with, only it’s $45 for lessons, and well it’ll be hard, coz I’m not paid that often enough and I don’t know how to budget. Could you guys help me?

Open a savings account?

Put a certain amount of your pay each week in that, and leave it there.

Watch it grow.

When you spend money, how do you do it usually? Cash, or debit card? I'm assuming you're not using a credit card.

I used to have problems spending money on my debit card all the time. It got to the point where I went to fill up with gas... and didn't have enough to pay for it. I had to borrow money from a friend who was in the passenger seat. I was beyond embarrassed. From that moment on I decided I needed to buckle down and control my spending, and this is what I did:

I switched banks and I created a chequing account and a savings account. I made sure the savings account was not tied to my debit card. I then made sure my direct deposits from my job were being deposited into my savings account. Everytime I wanted to transfer money into my chequing account it would take 24 hours to clear. Basically, I avoided spending money by not having any on hand. I also hate cash. Cash is so 20th century.

Just... don't spend it. You don't have to be cheap or anything, just truly evaluate what you're going to buy. Do you really want it? Do you really need it?

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"You never see a Rolls Royce with a bumper sticker that says, 'Shit Happens'."
- George Carlin

Yeah... if you set up a small amount ($10?) to go into a savings account, then you'd still have money to spend...

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work more hours or get a job that pays more

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Try talking to ur parents and tell ur sister to get her own job, if shes older enough, ask for a raise if u been workin long enough, don't drive so much. you can make ur own budget by writing down all your expenses to see were ur money is going. Getting little stuff is a money killer (fast food)

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talk with family, I'm sure they can help you

Just be smart really.. Save a certain percent out of your paycheck. Say 30 percent? And put that 30 percent in a bank....