Spending money is an emotional activity just like going to the movies.  If you love movies, your spending habits are influenced by the movies you see.  You like the clothes movie stars wear, the exotic locations inspire your next vacation and your home renovations revolve around the installation of your big screen TV.

Spending money is all about choices, wise choices based on accurate information.  There is also a process you have to follow: you have to save money, prioritize your needs and then choose the best spending option.  Remember, you are draining your Marching Dollars when you spend so don't slaughter your troops foolishly.  You are the General of your Marching Dollars army.  They look to you for leadership.   

Now, the best movie to control your spending is a comedy about con artists called Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and it teaches a valuable lesson about marketing.  Marketing is the way that corporations get you to buy goods and services by preying on your emotions.  Making you want things you don't really need.  Every time you see a commercial or consider an impulse by, consider the dirty rotten scoundrels that are manipulating your emotions in an attempt to separate you from your Marching Dollars.

Spending Rules and Value for your Money

Saving money and prioritizing your needs are covered in the Saving section of the MLMG.  Now let's get to the fun part: Choosing the best spending option.  For that, you need ideas.  Being a Movie Lover, you will want to spend some of your Marching Dollars on movie items.  If  you need suggestions to reduce that annoying pile of cash you have just sitting around the house, all related in some way to movies - this is the site...but before you go on a spree, remember there are rules about spending.  It is a reward to spend, not your right as a capitalist with a credit card.

1. Don't buy anything on impulse without a three-day "cooling off" period.  If you still want it after three days and your budget will allow it, then go ahead.

2. Know how much things cost.  This requires comparison shopping on price and quality in order to make sure you are getting the best price for your purchase.

3. Buy what you MUST and prioritize what you NEED.  The MUST items are essential for daily living.  The NEED items are "nice to have" but you can live without.  Rank the NEED items in priority and buy as your budget permits.