A Few Ways To Save Money
|
|
Learn to save money the easy way, without going into debt. Saving your money doesn't mean you have to throw every dollar you earn into your savings account. And it definitely doesn't mean you can't have fun. Saving money not only helps you financially if you ever need it. You can save for a trip you're planning, for retirement, or a big purchase.
Before leaving your house take out the one bad boy that is hurting you. Your credit card. That's right, put it in a secure place and not your wallet. Keeping a credit card on you will only encourages you to use it. You may even try not using all those credit cards you have for a while just to see how much you really can save. Not only will you save yourself money by not spending so much money but you will also save money by not adding on more fees to your credit card.
Make sure that you pay all the bills that are a must; gas, electric, car bill, rent or mortgage, cable and phone. Now figure out a monthly plan of things you will be doing. Create a chart. Decide how much money will be used. What is necessary and what isn't?
Thousands of people eat out at least once or twice a week, if not more. Try eating meals at home instead. If you just don't have the time for cooking meals every night for yourself or your family try picking one day that you do and make all the meals for a week. You can freeze most meals and reheat them when it's time to eat them. Do more things with the family that don't have to cost a bunch of money. If you want to watch a movie with the family wait until it comes out and rent it. You can pause the movie when needed and eat whatever you want without paying outrageous prices.
Try going out and checking out a few garage sales on the weekend, only bring a certain amount of cash with you. You don't want to blow it all in one place. Find clothes at a quarter instead of $15.00 and movies or books for a quarter. Some thrift shops may offer a deal such as $5 for every brown bag they fill. You can't beat that and you get plenty for it.
Do you always have to buy name brand items? In the grocery store you could switch cereals, soups, cheese, milk and other items to the generic ones. You actually get more cereal in the bag then you do with the name brand, for a much cheaper price. By purchasing generic items you can stock up for the price it would normally cost for those regular ones.
Use coupons when you go shopping. Libraries and newspapers have coupons, some grocery stores even have coupons in the front of the store. Try asking your relatives or neighbors to save you coupons from their papers. Join a coupon swap group online. Try shopping at your local department or Wal-Mart instead of the mall for those brand new jeans that just came out.
Buy in bulk and keep your house stocked up. Remember if you already have enough of an item to last a couple of months you don't need more, not even if it's on sale. That'll only take money out of your savings.
Stop paying people to do things for you like mowing your grass, washing your car or pumping your gas. Sure these are nice things but you don't really need them. Clean up your own house, wash your own dog and get your kids outside and have the whole family wash the car. Not only will you get the car washed but you'll see a lot of smiles. Saving money isn't always simple but it can be fun.
Posted by jonathan on December 22, 2005 at 06:17 PM