When money is tight, you don't feel like you have much control over anything. You're at the mercy of your bills, debt and other financial obligations. You feel powerless. However, a little action can make a surprising difference.

When you're on the fence about a purchase, there are five words that usually push you into buying: "I can always return it." That may be true, but retailers definitely use this thinking to their advantage, and their refund policies subtly encourage you to spend more.

It's easy to get stuck in our spending habits. We don't give them much thought and they become automatic. There's nothing wrong with spending your money, but if you want to spend more mindfully, it helps to understand your habits. Finance writer G.E. Miller suggests calculating your "personal inflation rate".

What if a bank's interest rates were so low, they actually charged you to keep your money there? And what if you could take out a loan without paying any interest at all? That's the idea behind negative interest rates. We're sort of in uncharted territory with this concept, which is why it's making headlines lately. Here's a quick rundown of what negative interest rates are and what we can expect from them.

Your brain is your own worst enemy. You know you should be saving more or eating healthier, but your brain says that fudging it just this once won't be a big deal. Ignore that loophole.

Even the best of appliances eventually need replacing. You can prepare yourself for the day your old appliance kicks the bucket by saving a little money toward a new model every time you use it.

When Sarah and I first moved into our new house in 2007, the inaugural electric bill was shocking to us. It was way higher than what we were used to from the days of our tiny apartment. Our old energy bill was around $80 a month -- this was over $300!

A higher salary will do more for your finances than pinching pennies ever will. However, if you don't learn to be frugal with a little bit of money, you'll probably end up with the same financial issues when you start earning more. Or, as financial author Patrice C. Washington puts it, "how you manage $100 is likely how you'll manage $100,000."

The best way to keep a balanced budget is to decide your financial boundaries before you start spending. The 50/20/30 rule can help you keep every expense properly proportioned.

From 14 to 20 March, the world celebrates Global Money Week. To mark the occasion, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released some practical tips for parents that will help children to develop good money habits in later life. (The key is to talk about it -- the earlier, the better.)