How can i save money when you can't help but spend?

Saving money for me is really hard. I just got my first full-time job out of college & been for working 9 months as an Internet cafe attendant. It deeply saddens me to think i never get to save what i earn while working for 9 months coz what i earn is enough for what for food & clothing since i am dependent with my aunt(owner of the shop) who pays for our apartment's rent & utilities. My dad is unemployed & depends on my aunt too. I got lucky when my mom send money (400 euros)for me last October after a long time she has left our family & is now living with her new husband in Germany.At first i was so happy thinking i can finally save at least half of the money in the bank while the half i can spend on for a new cellphone to replace my broken one.But then expenses come, minor medical check-up & expenses,expenses for Christmas & others which used up all the money she sent me.This worries me coz i don't want to be poor w/o being able to save a cent.Should i regret spending it & not save?

Right now, i am looking for a higher paying job but i am worried that my salary will just be enough for expenses esp. that my aunt has a deal with me that i had to pay all the rent and utilities and money for my dad onces i quit my job in the internet cafe. what should i do?

First question is, is your father able to work and if so, why isn't he? It isn't your place to support him so he needs to get a job and quit living off other people, that way the two of you can share expenses and that will give you a chance to save more.

Second, when you start to buy something, ask yourself how badly you really need it. Most of the time we buy what we want, not what we need.

What is a necessity and what is a luxury? We need a roof over our heads, we have to pay the utilities, we need food.

Don't go out and start laying in a bunch of clothes, shoes, purses and jewelry, etc. Look for things when they are on sale and purchase them. Buy skirts, blouses and slacks so you can intermix them and come up with different outfits rather than jam the closet full of clothes, many you won't need or wear as often.

Only buy shoes when they are on sale and make sure they can be matched up with the clothes you have at home. A woman doesn't need 20 or more pair of shoes in her closet. When you buy a handbag, do the same thing. Make sure it matches with other things you have purchased.

Jewelry is a definite luxury and even though they can set off an outfit, you don't have to have it either. When you do buy something, match with outfits you already have rather than "oh I like that so much let me buy it" and then get home and discover it doesn't go with anything.

Depending on your work circumstances, some need a car and with that comes your insurance and gas. Don't drive anymore than you have to. Plan your errands so you can do everything in one trip rather than coming and going several times during the week.

If you buy make-up, don't buy but enough to highlight your features like face powder, eye brow pencil, mascara, lipstick. You don't "need" all the foundation stuff, cleansing stuff, etc. Get by with the basics and learn to be creative with it. Buy things when they are on sale so you can save on your purchases.

If you want to make a more expensive purchase and it is something you "want", save for it. Put back so much each pay until you have enough to pay cash for the item, even if it means you have to wait a year to buy it. By that time, you may decide you don't really want it and you will have the money put aside in savings, drawing interest.

If at all possible, put a small amount into savings each pay and don't touch it. Leave it there and keep adding to it every pay and know it is there for a rainy day. That money is not for buying the luxuries or just to have a good time, it is a savings only and one you should not touch. The more you see it build, the better you will feel knowing it is there and in time, you can buy an IRA or something to help you survive in your old age.

Find a free counseling service and have someone sit down and work out a budget with you.
I can guarantee that what you are going through now will actually make you wiser and you will learn to appreciate things more in life by having to work and save for them.

You are just starting out so hang in there, be wise in your purchases and get the counseling. You'll do ok. Good luck with the job hunting, too. Hope you can find something better than what you are doing or maybe you can work both jobs into your schedule and put one paycheck in the bank and save that way.

Stop buying stuff you don't NEED! That's the miracle of saving...

You dad needs to work your job that you do for your Aunt now at the internet cafe so you can get a better job with better pay and get out of the situation you're currently in.

I'm sure you can find a better paying job than waitress after college.

you need to be more strict with yourself
I know when you get a job its exciting to finally have money to buy things BUT remember you need to save for your future too..
good luck

You just need to develop the habit of saving. Start by opening a savings account, and each time you get paid, put a little money in there. Do this first, before you spend anything. You can start small, for example save 5% of your paycheck. And once it's in your savings account, pretend it doesn't exist. If you never really have the money available to spend, you won't spend it. You'll see that saving will become easier once you get used to it. The key is paying yourself (saving) first!