30 Common Sense Tips To Reduce Expenses
Are you feeling overwhelmed with the high cost of living these days? If you think it is impossible to cut back any more than you already have think again. Here are 30 different tips to cut expenses. Even if you followed a few of them you could find that it is possible to make your money go further.
1. Save on energy costs. Use power saving CFL lights. Hang your clothes instead of using the dryer, Only run things your dishwasher when full. And don’t leave lights or appliances on unless you are using them.
2. Instead of going to the movies rent or borrow one. If you must go to the movies go to an early matinee and save some money.
3. Instead of meeting friends for coffee or drinks invite them over for potluck. Take turns each week at each others house.
4. Take your lunch to work more often. Your savings will really add up!
5. Share rides to work with co-workers or use public transportation.
6. Save money on drugs with generics whenever possible.
7. Use coupons while shopping at grocery stores, and always shop according to a list. Preferably shop on double-coupon days. Maybe, you can buy supplies from bulk food warehouses.
8. Call long-distance in the evening and on weekends. If you make a lot of long distance calls look for a plan that offers unlimited free long distance.
9. Piggy-bank loose change.
10. Never pay full price for clothing. Check the sales flyers in your Sunday paper. Why pay full price on a pair of jeans at one store when another store is having a sale?
11. Stop smoking. Easier said than done but can you really afford not to?
12. Install a water saver type shower head.
13. Save the cost of a gym membership and work out at home.
14. Keep your vehicle well maintained. That way you will hopefully get many more miles out of it well after it is paid off.
15. Shop in discount stores - even Warren Buffet does that!
16. Get out from underneath credit card debt by making more than the minimum payment each month.
17. Keep ingredients on hand for meals that you can have on the table in under 30 minutes. This just might keep you from ordering take out if you had a busy day.
18. Always bargain at shops and look at a few options before making a purchase. If you’re buying fancy stuff like jewelry, buy it from a pawn shop.
19. Is rent high where you live? consider getting a roommate or move if you have to.
20. Check out Freecycle.org for getting free stuff or getting rid of things that you don’t use. Many communities have their own chapter.
21. Subscribe only to the TV channels that you watch and cut out the rest.
22. Don’t waste money on manicurists and pedicurists - you can do their work yourself at home.
23. Having a savings account just for emergencies is a must! Otherwise you’ll end up resorting to credit cards. Try to put away just $5.00-$10.00 per week away and watch it add up. As you pay off debt increase your savings.
24. Dry cleaning can eat up a large portion of your monthly budget. Try to add more items to your wardrobe that you can wash yourself.
25. Do some comparison shopping on insurance for anything from car, life insurance, homeowners, etc.
26. Drink more water. Sugary soft drinks should be an occasional treat instead of an everyday staple.
27. Have a yard sale. Not only will you make some extra cash but you will also get rid of excess clutter.
28. Always pay your bills on time. Late fees can really eat up your budget.
29. Plant a vegetable garden. If you don’t have a lot of space you could try container gardening.
30. Don’t be afraid to splurge once in a while. If you cut back here and there you deserve to treat yourself once in a while. Just make sure you plan for it.
These are just a few tips to help you stretch your budget. You might even come up with a few of your own!
Filed under: Finance