How many hours do you spend gaming online? Or better yet, how much money have you spent gaming online? Have you spent money on (or within) a game that started free? It happens all the time.

Paying Customer

How did you end up as a paying customer?  Many free games come with certain caveats. Like ads or in-app purchases and that’s how it happens.

You may not want to see or wait for ads and decide to buy the game to remove them. Or, even the idea of the best free game is to get you hooked on something until you eventually want to unlock new levels or a better vehicle or character, and then you ultimately pay for those features.

That’s how (free) game developers make money, and there’s nothing wrong with that! As long as you’re in control of your gaming habit!  Try these tips to keep gaming in your fun zone, not your danger zone.

First and foremost: set a strict monthly gaming budget.

You can’t spend money on everything. If you’re going to spend money on gaming, would it make sense to give up spending on something more important to feed your gaming habit? Figure out your budget—what bills you need to pay, etc.—and set a specific amount of money aside for your gaming needs each month. And then stick to it!

There are several ways to pay for your games. And we recommend not using a credit card.

You don’t want to add your credit card to your account! Why…? Because there’s no limit to how much you can—or will—spend!

Some people deliberately add their credit card to their (gaming) account so that credits can be uploaded instantly and you won’t lose your high score or position in a level. Ouch, that adds up!!!

Credit card companies love passionate gamers because you often spend more without thinking! Before you know it, you wreck your budget and are on track for uncontrollable debt or a credit card crash!

Pre-pay your gaming habit instead!

If you honestly believe that you can’t control your gaming impulses, or want to play it safe, loading your monthly gaming budget to a single pre-paid or to a debit card specifically designated to that gaming purpose can make sense. This way, you will never spend more than what you budgeted!

And do resist that oh-so-sweet urge to upload more credits if you spend your limit. Rather than trash your budget, why not do something radical, like take a walk, or meet with friends?

Are there differences in pre-paid cards? Well, is there any difference between having $10 or $100 in your pocket? Some pre-paid cards are pretty fair to you. Some are downright rip-offs. If you’re going to get a pre-paid card, make sure it is a good one.

Gaming online is fun indeed, but like with everything else in life, you have to stay in control!

SOURCES:

http://foolproof.directionscu.org/articles/295-how-much-money-have-you-spent-gaming-online