When you work for a paycheck or do chores around the house to get an allowance from your parents, you're exchanging the value of your time for money. Thinking of money as the time you spent working to earn it can help you understand the value of your time, your money, and the things you buy with it. All it takes to make a smart spending decision is to stop and think about the item you're buying. Advertising, buying things impulsively, shopping for entertainment, shopping at the last-minute, and shopping at the mall can all lead you to make unwise spending decisions. Whether you're using cash, credit, or checks to pay for the items you buy, each form of money has its own benefits and drawbacks.