Let’s face it, we have all been guilty of the occasional spending splurge over the last twelve months as we have looked for ways to treat ourselves and distract ourselves from everything that has been going on in the outside world. With so many of the usual entertainment options either cut off or restricted, from restaurants and bars to cinemas and casinos, we have all made some purchases that we may not have made otherwise or spent a little too much money on those unnecessary items.
While we would argue that treating ourselves is an important part of self-care, and online shopping has been a huge help, as we move forward into summer and look ahead to more and more restrictions lifting, you may be looking for a few easy ways to pinch some pennies and make your budget stretch further.
Spending money online is one of those things that can happen a little too easily, and online gambling is a great example of a fun, safe hobby that sometimes needs a bit of extra control to make sure you continue enjoying yourself without going over your limit and making things tricky. If you want to make sure that you can continue playing online poker, roulette, blackjack or slots without going into the red, and maybe actually save some money while doing so, then here are a few tips to help you get started.
Make A Budget And Stick To It
It’s the first rule that any gambler should play by, whether they’re spinning a virtual wheel or facing off against people in a real-life card game. It is so important to make sure that you have a crystal-clear idea of how much money you can afford to lose, and at which point you need to step away and close your computer.
If you’re finding that you are consistently racking up more losses than you’re comfortable with, then it’s time to make a detailed budget and set some hard and fast rules for yourself. Look at what spending that extra tenner will do to your weekly shopping budget. Are you going to be able to pay your phone bill if you lose that next hand? Making a budget isn’t exactly fun, but it will save you an awful lot of worry further down the line.
Look For Free Bonuses And Other Incentives
We don’t need to tell you that online gamblers are spoiled for choice when you’re looking for somewhere to play, and one of the most common incentives that online casinos will throw at newcomers are those no deposit sign-up bonuses. These offers won’t exactly make you rich, but they will give you a nice free cushion to start from while you take a look around to see which online casino is for you.
It is important to remember that these bonuses may vary when it comes to terms and conditions and that it is always worth doing your research to see what kinds of strings are attached. This guide highlights who offers a bonus, what the details of their welcome package are, and what you can expect if you do sign up. For more information about which online casinos offer the best rewards, Online Casinos has detailed breakdowns and reviews for both veteran gamblers and total rookies.
Check Your Mood When You’re Gambling
OK, this one is a little trickier and might sound a little insulting to those of you who spend a lot of time gambling online, but think about it: don’t we all find ourselves in states of mind where it’s probably better not to make any decisions involving money? You know what we’re talking about. We’re talking about when we are angry or frustrated, when we are feeling sad or low, or when we may have had a little too much to drink. It is always important to remember that gambling is supposed to be fun, and if you find yourself starting to feel like fun is not on the agenda, then maybe it’s better that you find something else to do with your time until that changes.
Gambling when you are not in the right frame of mind can lead to some questionable decision making, and that can often lead to you spending and losing a lot more than you can really afford to, or at least more than you’d like to. If you wouldn’t jump behind the wheel of a car in that state, then you shouldn’t gamble either.
Think About How To Best Use Your Budget
As we mentioned earlier, having a clearly defined budget is one of the easiest and most effective ways for you to keep tabs on how much you are gambling. However, it’s not just about knowing your upper limit, it’s about making sure that you are making the most of what you have.
For example, say you’ve given yourself £50 to bet with for the evening. If you go and place that entire amount on one bet and lose, of course you’re going to be tempted to keep playing. However, if you place significantly smaller bets, even as small as a pound or two, you can get a feel for how the game is progressing and make sure that you won’t be cashing out early. Once you’ve started to build some confidence and get some nice returns, you can start thinking about placing bigger bets.
Think About Setting Up A Separate Account For Your Betting Fund
It’s one thing to know that you can’t bet past a certain point, it’s another to know that there is nothing left to gamble with. If you know that you are going to struggle to stop at a certain point, think about creating a separate account for the money you will be using to gamble with. We all need to think more carefully about how we’re arranging our finances with the economy the way it is right now, with so many and highs and lows and so much uncertainty, it always helps to have clear definitions. An account that is purely for recreational purposes can help you make sure that you are still saving for everything else that matters.
