Money saving tips

If you want to save money, you really need to start out at home. Start with yourself by distinguishing between your wants and needs. Too many people think that the things they want are actually things they need. It does not matter how much money you make, if you mistake wants for needs you won't save money. Needs are items that are necessary to sustain: Shelter, food, clothing, transportation. Wants are those things that enhance or improve our life. A car is a need. A $30,000 brand new car with all the features is a want. Clothing is a need, brand new clothes to match every new fashion trend is a want, and an expensive one. If you can eliminate the over purchase of wants, you will not only have enough money for your needs, but also some to save.
A great way to save money is to get out of the "keeping up with the Joneses" mindset. You do not have to always have the newest, biggest and best. If you can learn to make due with what you have. Revamp what you have, or refreshen it, instead of going out and trying to get everything everyone else has, you will be able to save a lot of money. Quality is important. However, you do not need to spend $50 on a designer shirt, when you can get the same quality shirt, without the designer label for $30 elsewhere. If you want to save money, you have to appreciate the things you have, and forget about what everyone else has. There will always be someone with a bigger house, a nicer car, more money, better furnishings, and bigger, more expensive vacations. If Hawaii is not in your budget, go camping. You will never save money if you spend money you do not have on things you do not need just because someone else has it.
Before you buy something, you should do some research and try it out.This goes a long way in helping to avoid purchasing things you rarely or never use, or stupid items because they are a good deal. Before you buy something, especially items with big price tags, borrow one, rent one or try one out. See if you know anyone that has one.Ask around about it before you plunk down the cash. If you can rent the item and try it out, do it. For example, before spending a lot of money on toys like motorcycles, jet skis, and boats, rent them and ask yourself how often you would use it, how much the cost to use it would be (gas, etc.) and then determine if you still want to spend thousands on such an item.
One great way to save money is to really shop around for good interest rates. Interest can kill you if you have payments you are making, and your mortgage is going to probably be the biggest expense in your life. If you do not look around and see what your options are, and try to get an improved interest rate, you may pay thousands and thousands more than you have to over the life of your loan.If you do not have much time to compare different loans and rates, visit sites like Lending Tree that take only a few minutes to fill out the form, and provide you will 3 or 4 qualified loan offers. You should also ask for good deals on closing costs, and have them wave the paper pushing fees, etc.
If you want to save money, you should always be careful about a car purchase. Drive down the road, you will likely see 4-5 dealerships within any 10 mile stretch. Use this to your advantage. Cars are expensive, and if you settle for too high of an interest rate, not a low enough price, or get a car you do not need (like an SUV with a third row when you only have 2 kids), you will be wasting, not saving money. You should take into account not just your monthly payments, but also the maintenance, insurance, gas, etc. You will want to shop around for all of these things too. If you buy your car from a dealership with a service center, ask that they include a year of free oil changes and tire rotations at your purchase price. This costs them almost nothing, and saves you a bundle.
One great money saving tip is to combine your insurance. We all have insurance of some kind, and we pay premiums and rarely make comparisons. Every year you should shop around and see if you can get a better deal. You probably have insurance on your house, your car, your moped, etc. So, get all of these through the same company, and ask for a discounted rate because of this. Many companies, such as Allstate, offer significant advantages for combing your insurances, and getting them all through them. However, it also saves you hassle, you have all your insurance through the same company, you only have one agent to deal with, and one number to remember.
One great money saving tip is to raise your deductibles. Deductibles on homeowners policies typically start at $250. By increasing your deductible to $500, you could save up to 12% a year. Over a lifetime this adds up fast. Also, how many times have you actually cashed in on that policy? Probably almost never. So, having a higher deductible will be good for you, and will save you monthly. That extra couple of dollars a month can be put into a debt and cancel out some interest, which saves you even more money. Of course, do not raise your deductible above the amount you can afford, but do not keep it too low, or you are paying for it to be low, and not taking advantage of it.
One proven way to save money is to simply avoid buying things on impulse. Instead, before you go shopping, plan out what you are going to buy, and stick to that list. If you find shopping to be therapeutic for you, and you go often, make sure you go with a spending limit in mind. If you don't buy things you really don't need, you will save money. It is worth repeating, when shopping, only purchase what you planned on buying.So what if you find something you had not planned on, but really want to have? Wait to buy it until the next time you shop. You can put it in your plan then, and chances are after you have some time to think about it, you may not want it as much as you thought. Also, by waiting you have the chance to not buy it on emotion, rather wait and see if it will fit in your budget.
One key way to save money is to make meals at home. It is amazing how much you can save by buying a pack of bagels at a local bakery, and putting your own spread on before leaving the house, as compared to stopping by your local Einstein's Bagel, etc. Instead of eating at the cafeteria at work, or at a local food place, make your own lunch at home and bring it with you to work. Chances are you will still get fed, you will still enjoy your food, and it is amazing how much money you will save by preparing your own meals. Also, make larger batches of meals, and freeze parts for use later. This cuts down on your food costs even further. Just try to make amounts in proportion to what the ingredients call for. If you need 1 ½ cans of cream of mushroom soup, double the recipe so you only need 3 cans, and do not have a half can waiting around to be used.
Drink water not soda. Soda is expensive, even if it does not seem like it. If you buy two sodas a day you are looking at about $2 a day, which is $14 a week, and close to $60 a month Also, besides saving you money, it will also help you watch your weight, and make you much healthier. Water is free at restaurants, fast food joints, and in the office there is usually a drinking fountain. So, cash in on the free beverage, improve your health, and fatten your wallet. If you want an occasional soda, purchase it by the 2 liter bottle, not in the cans or smaller bottles. It is significantly less money, and you are not paying for expensive packaging. If you want to have it in the convenience of an individual portion, get a water bottle and fill it up. So what if you look funny, you are the one saving money.
One great way to save money is through good planning. If you plan ahead and make a list for groceries, etc. you won't find yourself running to the nearby gas station and paying $4 for a gallon of milk that would cost you $2 at the store. So, do what you can to plan ahead, and only buy gas at gas stations. Try not to spend money on groceries at convenience stores unless it is really necessary. They are called convenient stores because they are convenient, not inexpensive. Also, if you plan ahead, you can watch for sales. If you know you are running low on canned fruit, you can wait to buy it when it is on sale. This is great for items you store for a while. It also allows you to stock up on regularly used items if you notice they are on sale.
A great way to save some money no matter what you are buying is to do some comparing. Stores like Walmart will match prices on anything. So, just because you find different low prices all over town, does not mean you have to go all over town, just know what to the best price is, and ask stores to match. You can check prices online before making any large purchases, this way you know whether or not you are getting a good deal, or at least not getting ripped off.Online prices are very competitive, and by checking prices online first, you will know if buying at your local store makes sense or not. For example, you may want a new digital camera, and you find the one you want online for $269 plus tax. You have to wait 2 weeks for shipping. At the store it is $300, but you get it right away. Now you can decide if the $30 is worth the wait. And, you may even be able to go into the store and show them where you can get it for less, and they will likely be willing to match it.
If you want to save money daily, you can do things like turn down the temperature in your house in the winter, and raise it during the summer.To keep your home at a comfortable level, try other things. For example, in the winter, you can bake, this gives you delicious food (which saves you money because you do not go out), and the heat from the oven helps warm your house. In the summer you can open your windows and turn on your fans when it cools down at night, then be sure to close them in the morning when it starts to heat up again. If you are careful, and keep the door closed during the day, your house should remain at a comfortable temperature. To save even more money you will also want to reduce the temperature of your hot water heater.
The biggest thing you can do to save money is pay off your credit cards, and do not buy things on credit. Credit card debt has one of the highest rates of interest you can pay.Don't just pay the minimum monthly charge, but try to pay your credit card in full. Buying things on a credit card with a cash back option can save you money, but it won't if you get into over spending, or do not pay your credit card off every month. Studies have shown you buy 15-20% more than you would otherwise if you are paying with a credit card, not cash. So, if you are going to use credit cards, keep this in mind. Do not buy things you wouldn't buy if you were using cash.Pay off your balance every month, this will save you 12-18%.
Track where your money goes. If you want to start saving money, you need a clear understanding of what you spend your money on. If you can create a budget and stick to it, you will save a lot of money because you will not have those silly incidentals, and crazy purchases that add up fast.By tracking how you spend your money, you will be more aware of your spending habits, and eliminate unnecessary spending. Things like getting the bigger fry, adding a soda, eating out because you are too tired to cook, late fees, earrings here and there start adding up fast, and you might find that you spend a few hundred a month on "NOTHING", at least nothing of any real value. So, pay attention to how you spend money and you will save more by spending less.
Swap items. If you want to save money, it is smart to try and trade items you have and don't want for items other people have and you do want. This is especially great if you have kids, instead of buying lots of expensive toys, consider buying less toys, and then swapping toys with friends and family.Kids tend to lose interest in their toys, rather quickly, and they always have a greater interest in new toys.So, if you swap, you can get new toys, keep your kids better occupied and spend less. Do the same with your clothes. If you trade clothes with friends of the same size, you spend less, and still get new items for your wardrobe. This can work for any item. Check out your local classified, there is likely a place for trades. Browse it and see what people have to offer. This is also great for items like movies and video games. If you have played it and won, or watched it enough times, trade it for something new.
Set a budget. If you want to save money, you have to have some sort of guidelines to how you spend it. So, at the beginning of every month, sit down and look at how much money you'll have coming in. Subtract the amount you'll owe for bills and make a plan for what's left over. Then stick to that plan. It's a simple idea, but most people do not do it. Part of your plan needs to be that you will not pull out the credit card for items that you can not afford, no matter how good a deal it is, or how much fun it would be to have the item. You have to be strong about sticking to your budget, then reward yourself for doing so. Keep track of what you spend and resist the urge to pull out the credit or debit card. At the end of the month, if you did so, budget in a little reward the following month. This will be your motivation.
Save early, and save often. Most people really struggle with saving a few hundred dollars a month, they think of all the things they could be buying, and don't ever commit to saving. So, instead of trying to save in lump sums, try saving a little here and a little there. Put $10 or $20 a week into your savings. You won't even notice it. You should start this as soon as you can. If you start young, you will make money through interest on the money, and you will be growing your savings $10 here and $20 there. If you put it away, you will never miss it, and you will reap the benefits of having money should you have a problem, or need to use the money for an emergency, or something. If you have some money set aside, then you will not have to go into debt and pay interest on the money, rather you can use your savings and start saving again.
Use automatic deductions. One great way to save money is to never see it. If you have your pay checks directly deposited into your account, and then have a portion of that money automatically deducted and transferred into a savings or retirement accounts. Doing this actually assures that you'll put money away. If you never see the money, you do not count on having it, and you do not even feel the difference of not having it, at least not after a while. Part of this, you will want to make sure that you do not have easy access to this money after it has been transferred. You will want to make sure that you do not have a card or check book to withdraw money. That makes it too easy, and your savings loses its value.
Save money using a computer program. You can download an Excel spreadsheet with formulas already set, so that all you have to do is enter the cost of what you spent into a category and you can see instantly what your monthly totals are to date! You will find yourself asking ... do I really need this now or can it wait until next month? You will save money by being aware of exactly how you are spending it, and you will not have to spend money to do so. You can download such formulated spreadsheets for free. If you see that your entertainment fund is $700 a month, you might find yourself asking whether or not you could cut back, or at least spend that money more wisely. $700 could do a lot, and you may be spending it on nothing but popcorn and soda.
You can save money each day by slashing the incidentals. The best way to do this is to carefully look through one of your credit-card statements, as you look through the statement watch for things that you spend money on each month that you could be doing without quite easily. For example, you should be on the lookout for ongoing monthly fees like magazine subscriptions that you are not reading, or a gym member ship you are not using, or a website you set up and are paying hosting fees for, but don't use. If you have anything you are not using, cancel it right away. For example, if you have more minutes than you are using, on your cell phone plan, get a less expensive plan. However, keep in mind if you have charges for having used more minutes than your plan accounts for, consider upping it as you pay high surcharges for overuse. So, watch carefully for where you should be making changes.
A great way to save money is to pay yourself a savings as a bill each month. If you were to buy a new car, and take on a new car payment, you would be able to handle it, so if you set up savings as a bill, you will be able to handle it. So, pay yourself first, and spend the excess; do not assume that you will save what you have left after the month is over, chances are you will spend, spend, spend, and you will not have anything left to put into your savings at the end of each month. If you are serious about saving money, you will need to make savings a bill that you pay with your other bills each month, not something you do if you can. Obviously if you have a month when your car breaks down, your house burns down, and you come down with the flu, using some of your savings and not paying yourself savings would be fine. However, make it a payment, and make it a priority, just as if it were your rent, or mortgage.
One excellent option for saving money in the long term is to pay ahead on your mortgage. This can save you thousands and thousands of dollars. For example, by paying an extra $100 a month toward the principal on a $150,000, 30 year mortgage, at a fixed interest rate of 6.5 percent, you'll save more than $51,000 in interest and be able to retire your mortgage nearly seven years early. So, you will be saving, saving, saving. If you can not pay the $100, make it $20, or whatever you can pay. Even a smaller amount can make a surprising difference in the long run, and help you save a significant amount. If you do not have extra each month, but you are paid biweekly, on the two months you get an extra check, make that a payment, this will shave 7 years off your mortgage, and save you thousands in interest. Not paying interest is the best way to save money. Also, imagine if you take that mortgage payment during those years you shaved off, and invest it in an interest-bearing account. You could not only save a lot, but make a lot as well.
Save money by paying off credit-card debt as quickly as possible. Of course, the best way to avoid creating problems for yourself is to only use your credit cards sparingly, always to pay the entire balance off in full. However, many people do not do this, or have not, and now pay heft interest rates and fees on the credit card. So, what you want to do, is transfer balances that are high and on a high interest credit card to a new card, one with a lower interest rate, and possibly even an interest free period. Then make regular payments above what is required. Just be sure that as you pay one card off, you are not over spending on another. If you have problems with this, then be sure to cut up or cancel any cards that you have had trouble with. And, do not be fooled into getting a card for advantages like sky miles. Many cards will offer a 6-month interest free period, so what you ought to do, is transfer your balance to these cards, and during those six months, concentrate on getting as much of the debt paid off as possible.
A great way to save money is to not pay any late fees. It can be astounding how much a late fee can add up to. You may have to pay a service charge on a late bill, a fee to pay your mortgage late, a fee for a late library book, late fees on a movie, etc. All late fees should be eliminated. These can be late fees from renting a movie, or late fees from paying bills late. These fees add up fast. So, get yourself organized, and pay your bills on time, turn your movies in on time, and if you find that a particular due date is one you are constantly missing, call in and ask that you due date be changed so that it fits your paycheck cycle better, etc. That way you save yourself the $8 a month that turns into close to $100 a year.
One huge way to save money is to quit. Quit your money costing habits. For example, take your last puff. Depending on the where you live, and the taxes you have to pay for cigarettes, you could save more than $2,000 a year if you go from being a pack-a-day smoker to a non-smoker. You'll also qualify for significantly cheaper life-insurance rates after you quit. So, you save money all around. If you are a drinker, you could save thousands not buying alcohol, and you may get lower car insurance costs. The fact is, that no matter what your vice, gambling, smoking, drinking, sex, it comes with a cost. So, if you are paying for any of these things, it is time to quit. Why? It saves you money, and it will be better for your lifestyle. You will be able to save more money than you could have imagined, so give it a month, and see how much you save.
One huge way to save money is to max out your retirement savings. Contribute as much as you can to a 401(k) or 403(b) tax-deferred retirement plan. The best way to save money is to not pay taxes on it. If you max out these accounts, you'll get an automatic tax break. If you do contribute to these, you will find that not only do you save on taxes, but your employer may match part of your contribution - often 50 cents for each dollar you contribute for up to 6 percent of your pay. This can really get you a lot of money. If your employer doesn't offer this benefit, open a traditional individual retirement account or a Roth IRA and start saving anyway. This is a great way to build up for your retirement while saving money. If you have this money taken out of your check, you will never see it, and you will not even notice it is missing.
If you want to save money, it is time to analyze your workday expenses. It is surprising how fast those trips to the vending machine or HR lady's office for a snack add up. It is funny how those "work lunches" at fancy restaurants, that you foot the bill for start to add up. Instead of eating in restaurants every single day, bring your lunch to work from home as often as you can. You not only save on the cost of food, but you also do not pay service charges and tips. If you wear suits, etc. to work, and get them dry cleaned, consider how much you pay for same day service, etc. So, take your clothes to the dry cleaners early to avoid paying extra for same-day service. How much do you spend on gas each day? Why not try commuting to work by bus or by another form of public transportation? You can use the time on the bus or tram to catch up on pleasure reading, get some phone calls out of the way, etc. All of these work day expenses, if cut down or eliminated could save you money and give you a healthier and happier lifestyle. Believe it or not, there is stress that comes with driving, eating out, etc. So eliminate these expenses, and save.
One really great way to save money on things you use everyday, such as food, is to go shopping at the supermarket 30 minutes before it closes. When you go at night you may find that all the perishables are marked down to really low prices. For example, bread could be something like fifty cents a loaf. This does not happen at every store, however, you can certainly find a store that does this. You may find fruits and vegetables at discounted prices. These are often still good, just not as fresh. And, with these great fresh foods and cheap breads you buy, you can pack a delicious lunch to take to work the next day, which means you save by not going out. Just be sure if you buy these foods you do not buy more than you can use before it spoils. If you do, you will be wasting money, not saving it. So, buy what you need, and return often.
A great way to save money is to overcome the need to always dress in the most up to date styles. We all like to look our best, but haute couture doesn't come cheap. So the questions can be how can you look a million bucks with out breaking the bank? Well, the first thing you will want to do is look through your mother's or father's closet for clothes that they no longer wear, believe it or not, these clothes generally come back in fashion. So, salvage some. You can altar them a little if need be.If this does not work, either because they no longer have their old clothes, or they just aren't going to work, you can check out a thrift shop. It is amazing what great deals you can get on retro clothes, or even on new clothes. Sometimes you get things as gifts that do not fit right, so you send them to the thrift store, DI, or Salvation Army. Other people do it too, so look there. If you are not one who would shop at such places, then watch for sales, and buy staple pieces that will never go out of style (such as a black pant, and a white sweater) then accessorize to stay stylish.
A really great way to save money is to rent or borrow things you do not need to own. For example, how many times will you wear formal attire? If you can avoid purchasing a formal suit, try to rent one for whatever the occasion is. If you absolutely have to have a formal dinner suit, then buy one that is used, or buy one that is on sale, and get something simple, and that is going to stay in style. You may find that the best place to get a classic style suit is at a thrift store. You can find that you can get one that is still in style, and one that is in great condition, and guess what? This is not uncommon. Many men buy a suit, wear it once or twice, then get too large for it. So, to the thrift shop it goes. So, why not buy it there and save a bundle?
One great way to save money is to do your research. When it comes to shopping in general, remember to do your research with big purchases. If you go into a store, wanting to buy something expensive, and you do not know much about it, you will not get a good deal, you will not save money. Chances are you will be talked into buying things you do not need and want, and pay a high price tag for them. It is important to know your stuff when it comes to items like computers, cars, houses, and furniture. These items are expensive, but more importantly they will see a lot of use, if you do not buy quality, and you do not know what you are buying, then you will lose money. If you buy a computer that crashes all the time because you failed to determine which brands are reliable, you will have spent good money on a good for nothing computer. It is smart, and a great way to save if you do your research and understand the basic and extra features for large purchase items. Know the best brand names, why they are good, and what you should look out for. You will also want to have a general idea of what to expect to pay for such items. That way, you can spot a good bargain.
One great way to save money is to buy in bulk and split with someone. Most people do not like to buy in bulk because they do not use that much, or can't use that much in the time before it goes bad, etc. So, hook up with your neighbor, a family member, etc. Find someone who would be willing to split food with you, goods with you, etc. If you can do this, you will want to still watch for good sales, but chances are you will find that when you buy in bulk at wholesale places you get a better price because you cut out a middle man. So, you can go to a price club and buy a huge pack of strawberries that cost 50 cents a pound, and then split it with a friend. It is win-win. You pay less per pound, and you do not have to worry about the strawberries going bad before you get to them, because you split them, and so you only keep so much.
One great way to save money is to buy the generic brand when it makes little difference. For example, you can cut out costs on things you use everyday, such as sugar for your coffee, if you buy the generic brand. It may save you only a dollar or so a package, but if you buy fifty packages in the year, you save a lot. And, if you do this on several items, the savings really start to build. There will be some items you won't want to do this on, and that is totally preference, but you should always go with the generic brands on items like medication, etc. These are usually made by the same folks who make the name-brand items, but don't have the expense of advertising and big brand labels add. If you want to save money, buying generic is a great option. You will want to realize that generic items are not less quality, they just do not have a lot of advertising or name branding.
There are plenty of ways to save money right in your home, but being smart about things is going to save you a lot. For example, don't leave your television on standby. Turn it off from the mains, as leaving it on standby actually uses up quite a bit of juice. Use things like energy-saving lightbulbs - they're planet friendly and they use less energy so it saves you money. Switch radiators off in the summer, you do not need them, so why use money for them. Only have the heating on for long enough to heat the water in the winter. Put it on for an hour before you get up in the winter, so the bedroom is warm for getting dressed, and then for about three hours in the evening. You will not need it longer than that, and you can keep it low and use a blanket, etc. It does not have to be a lifestyle change, butjust conserving, switching off lights in rooms you're not using, etc.
One way to save money in the summer is to turn off the AC, you do not need it on all day, you probably aren't even home all day, so turn it on for a few minutes to cool down your house, and then shut it off when things are cool. Keep your door closed, your windows closed and blinds closed to keep your home cool. Also, at night, when it is cool, open the windows, keep them open so that air can circulate and keep your home cool. Then, be sure you are up early enough to shut them. You can turn your fans and AC on at night if it helps you sleep, but most homes will stay cool if you have the windows open before bed. You may also want to consider setting your AC at a higher setting so that you do not freeze yourself out, and pay high utilities to keep your home cooler than you would like. If there is a day you feel the need to keep it cooler, turn it down that day, but keep it at a comfortable temperature a little higher than you think you like, your body will adjust.
One great way to save money each month, even if it is just a little bit of money, is to pay all bills by direct debit. Most utilities, most credit card companies, most places you will owe money to will have the ability for you to pay your bills by direct debit. This saves you money in three ways. First, you save money by never having a late fee. Late fees start to add up. You may find that you are paying ridiculous late fees because the mail took a long time, because you missed the post man, or because you simply forgot to send a bill in, or lost the statement. When it is set up to automatically deduct from your account on the day it is due, you are good to go. The second way setting up a direct debit from you account is that some debtors will give you a savings for paying this way. For example, if you have a student loan, most student loan companies will give you a break on your interest rate if you set up direct pay. This holds true in many instances. Last but not least, you get a slight saving for paying this way, in that it will save the price of a stamp.
If you are a college student, one great way to save money is to buy books second hand. Used books come at a substantial savings. However, for many, this savings is still not enough. If you are wise, you can get the book list in advance and try ordering on sites such as Amazon.com, where you may find substantial discounts. You can also try programs that many schools have, or student associations have where you trade and exchange books with other students. A person who took the class the previous semester may trade their text with you for a text from a class they need to take. The text do not always cost the same, but the result is equal-you both save money for your text books the following semester. This can be a group trade where you get one person's books, and they get someone else's, but you all get the books you need. Often these trades are done online. So, check with your school and see what programs they offer or know of to help you save money.
One incredible way to save money is to splurge a little. You might be thinking, "What? How does that help me save money?" If each time you get paid, you take a little bit of money from it (less then 10%), and buy something for yourself, you will have less of an inclination to overspend. It is much easier to stick to a tight budget if you get some reward for your hard work. You will want to feel like those endless hours of working benefit you in more ways than just paying your bills. So, when you've planned your budget down to the last penny, and you have a little left over, get something for yourself, don't be afraid to spend it. Buy yourself a new book, a DVD, get your nails done. These sort of little purchases can make the rest of your budget seem a lot less restricting and will make you feel happier. And, you will save because you won't overspend later.
If you want to be really good at saving money, you have to be sure to indulge yourself once a week. Let's face it, you can't deprive yourself of every pleasure. Without certain indulgences in your life, you are likely to suffer withdrawals, followed by a sudden rebound with extravagant and unnecessary purchases. This does not help you save. In fact, it does the opposite, it puts you further in debt, and makes your budget even tighter, which makes the process circular and continual. If your goal is to cut back on your spending so you can save, remember to reward yourself for your willpower by maintaining those little touches you just couldn't live without. That might mean things like getting your hair styled once a month, or getting that milkshake after work on Friday. Whatever your poison, indulge it once in a while.
If you want to save some money, you need to prioritize your purchases. Part of prioritizing your purchase is to determine what is important enough to spend extra on - and what is not. You have to make a plan, if you don't you will find yourself writing off every unnecessary expense as something you need or can't live without. This should not happen. What should happen is you should have limits set, and know what things you will buy, and what things you will not without careful consideration. For example, buying groceries is okay. However, buying lobster tail as part of your groceries should be well thought out. Not everything can be a priority, so set limits for yourself! Once you know what is, and you have limits, you can look at the things you chose, and determine how to save money elsewhere. For example, if having name brand cookies is a priority to you, fine, but if having an air-conditioned house when you come home from work is further down the list then cookies, that is the thing you should try to cut back or save money on.
Most people find that they can't, or don't save money because they are constantly living beyond their means. If you are making purchases that are not necessary, you are likely living beyond your means. So, cut back. The best way to save money is to cut back on what you buy. You may really want to have a new pair of jeans, but do you really need to go clothes shopping again? You may want the latest gaming system, but do you have to buy it? What about those expensive video games, could you rent them? So, you are going to save money by determining what extra expenditures you are making, and eliminate them. You will want to do what you can to stop over spending. If you can get out of the downward spiral of overspending, you will be thanking yourself, and you will be in a much better financial place later. So, start today.
A great way to save money is to give yourself an allowance. You may not be a kid, but you should be giving yourself some boundaries. Being too restrictive with your spending can result in rebounding, this is fact. So, avoid this, by giving yourself a cash amount of spending money, play money, each week, month, etc. Budgets are easy and seem great when you're sitting down with the checkbook and seeing how much you overspend. However, when you're shopping, it is hard to stick with that budget. So, leave the card at home, and once the fun cash is gone, be firm with yourself, and save any further shopping for the next pay period, or next time you get an allowance. This will help you learn to be more selective with your purchases, and you may even find that you save money and spend less to ensure you have money for those purchases that are really great. No one wants to be out of money when their friends call and ask them to a movie. Spending money should always be cash.
If you want to save money, you have to know that saving money does not always mean buying less, but means buying cheap. If you can get the things you need and want for less, you will be saving money. So, start cashing in on those hundreds of ways to save money. Clip the coupons, go to early bird sales, etc. When you get something you would have bought otherwise for less, take the money you saved and put it in a savings account. You will not miss this money, you were planning on spending it, and you still are, only you are spending it on yourself, as a savings. So, for example. If you buy cereal every week, and you get a coupon for $1.50 off, you will use it, and then put that $1.50 in an account. When you start to see the balance rise, you will look harder for ways to save on your everyday purchases.There are a hundred and one ways to save money and still buy what you want and need, so start looking for those ways.
Clip coupons. but only for what you already buy. Most people give up on coupon clipping, because they fall into the trap of buying something only because they have a coupon for it. This will not help you save money. So, this is what you need to do. Make your shopping list BEFORE you look at the coupons in the paper. Then look for coupons for items on your list. If you wouldn't normally buy the item, or would buy a considerably less expensive version, you aren't really saving anything by using a coupon. It is smart to always look for coupons and sales, but remember that it will only save you money if the deal is on something you already plan to purchase. Another great way to make your coupon clipping better is to do it online. Make your shopping list then go online and do a search for coupons for the specific item you are looking to buy. This will keep you from looking at other items and coupons for things you do not need.
Do not be afraid to shop at discount stores. Such stores are a fabulous way to save money and still get everything on your shopping list. Discount stores like Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Target, are big box stores, and offer discounted groceries, clothes, books, movies, household items, etc. You can get anything you could ever need in or around the house at a discount. You should also shop at discount stores for clothing and home décor, such as Ross and T.J.Maxx. These stores really do have a good selection, many cases the exact items from other places, just they may have over ordered, and they get the rest. These stores offer a selection comparable to ordinary stores, but at a fraction of the price. You will save a lot if you look for household items, and other items you will be buying at discount stores instead of name brand stores.
Take advantage of thrift shops and garage sales. The age old adage is very true, "One man's trash in another man's treasure."And, when you get your treasure at a fraction of the normal price, you can't help but be happy. However, do not fall into the trap of buying things you do not need because the prices at garage sales and second-hand stores are so low. Also, if your time is more valuable than money, then this is not the best option as often times you have to spend a little more time to find what you want. If you are looking to get linens and clothing check them carefully. However, if you are looking for glassware, or other items like books, collectibles, etc. you will usually be fine, as these are typically in good condition. It is worth repeating, when you go to a thrift shop or garage sale, go wit a specific purpose in mind. You do not want to buy something you did not need or plan on, as this will save you nothing. Be strong.
Use the internet. If there is something you want, go online to get it. It is amazing how many great items you can get on the internet for a fraction of the normal price. Huge online stores such as eBay.com and Amazon.com provide a national - and sometimes international - selection. However, always go to these places with a purpose in mind. If not, you will spend far more money than you ever intended to spend. You can get everything from baby clothes that are slightly used to brand new, and electronics, people are even buying cars on such sites, such as e-bay. So, do some research, know what a typical cost is, then go online and look for a bargain. Be careful of scams and items that are not good quality, as this will not save you money, but cost you more. So, be a smart consumer.
Use local sites and newspapers that have classified sections to find good deals on items you are planning to purchase. For example, if you want a new entertainment center, and plan to purchase one, you can go to a furniture store, such as RC Willey, and spend over $500 on something like that. Or you can take a look at smaller sites, such as Craigslist.org and Freecycle.org, you can find local low- or no-cost second-hand listings, such as the local paper's classifieds for someone who has what you want and is getting rid of it. You may find a similar entertainment center for half the price. It really does not matter what it is you want, or need, it could be a crib, a car, or a generator, chances are you will be able to find it, and for a fraction of the price of buying it new.
One of the best ways to save money is to find low-cost entertainment options.You will not save any money if you are not having fun, in fact, you will likely be more apt to over spending, and blowing your budget. You won't be very successful at spending less unless you are able to still have fun. So, still have a ton of fun, but for example, instead of going out for dinner, you and your sweetheart can cook your meal together, perhaps trying a new recipe, or look one up online. Instead of spending more than twenty bucks at the movie theater, on tickets and popcorn and drinks, you can rent a new release and watch it from the comfort of your own home, pop a bag of microwave popcorn, and drink water, it is healthier for you. Look for better, and other entertainment options, such as going up a canyon and building a bonfire, playing lawn games at home instead of going miniature golfing etc.
If you are trying to save money, a great way to do this is to visit your local library. A library card is free, and can really help to save you money. How? Well, for one you can browse their selection of books, and instead of spending a small fortune on books each month, you can check one out. Also, your local library will offer activities you can involve your children in, which are low cost or free, such as a reading hour. So, instead of paying expensive entrance fees to places this summer, take your kids to the library, it is educational and fun. The next way your local library helps you to save money is that most libraries offer a selection of movies that can be checked out, or rented for a minimal fee. Instead of the $4.50 you would pay to rent a movie at a typical movie store, you can rent a movie for about $0.50 at the library. Also, you have it for a longer period of time, so you do not incur late fees. This saves you money.
A great way to save money is to work out at home. Too many people get expensive gym memberships which they barely ever use. Instead of paying for a gym membership, you should explore outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, mountain biking, and rollerblading. There are plenty of ways to work out that does not involve the gym. If you find that you really can't get motivated to work out without the gym, then look for a way to get your gym membership for less. For example, never buy your membership directly from the gym. Instead, look to your local classified, or Craigslist.com for people who are trying to sell an existing membership. Often times you can buy a membership off someone trying to get rid of it for $5-$10 a month, instead of the typical $25-$50. This is a substantial savings, and you still get what you wanted.
One great way to save money is to take advantage of what Mother Nature has to offer. You probably want to have a good time, who doesn't? But, why should you pay through the nose for it? Instead of going to expensive dinners, movies, staying in high end hotels for a weekend away, look to nature. There are plenty of resources that are free, which you can do, such as camping, hiking, and exploring the beautiful, untouched swaths of land. If you want an afternoon of fun, try visiting the land designated as parks and tourist attractions. Most of these attractions are free, or have a minimal fee, and you can spend hours enjoying nature, picnicking, playing in the river, etc. One great way to save is to do tin foil dinners in the mountains or at a park. This is low cost and tons of fun.
Entertainment tends to be one of the biggest variable expenses in our lives. It is hard to save money on your mortgage or rent (unless you refinance), other than cutting back on utilities, it is hard to save there. It is not like you can buy these items on sale. So, the area of life where you can save the most is the variable expenses you face each month, such as groceries and entertainment. So, to save, look for free community events, often announced in local newspapers and newsletters. These are usually a lot of fun, and include things like concerts in the park, festivals, etc. Most communities have library reading programs that are fun for children. Most communities have some museums and historical places that you can visit free of charge. So, next time you want to be entertained, but want to save money, be creative - and remember, there's no reason why you should have to pay to have fun!
If you want to save money you have to make conscious decisions about spending more to spend less. As contrary as it may sound, there are times when spending more actually means spending less. However, you have to be able to determine when. For example, if something is on sale, and it is a good sale, should you stock up on it, or not? To determine when spending more will actually benefit you more than saving a little money, decide whether the money you spend in the present will actively save you money in the future. So, if you see that TP is on sale, will you really spend less each time you go to the store if you buy a ton right now? If there is something you use regularly, and spend a lot of money on.then buying a lot of it when it is a good price should save you money. However, when you do your shopping, etc. you have to remember that part of your budget was already spent, and not buy something else with the money you freed up. That saves you nothing.
A great way to save money is to purchase a membership to a club that sells bulk goods for discounted prices. Buying in bulk is one of the best ways to save money by spending more in the present. Each time you shop your bill will be rather large, but the items you buy will last longer, and you will spend less per item than you would otherwise. Grocery stores such as Sam's Club offer bulk groceries - and bulk savings - to their members. And these members pay a minimal annual membership fee; it is about $50, which can easily be saved on the first visit. If you take full advantage of your membership, you will save money. Buying in bulk is especially useful for families or houses with several roommates. Buying in bulk helps so you make less frequent trips to the store, which usually results in over spending. How many times have you gone to the store for one thing and come home with ten?
If you are trying to save money, take your credit and debit cards out of your wallet, leave them at home. They are great, they offer convenience and ease, but they also enable you to spend more than you have, impulse shop, and get further behind financially instead of further ahead. Credit cards can mean nothing but trouble when you are trying to save money, especially if you are already trying to pay off debt. So, if you don't have the willpower to keep them in your wallet without using them, then leave them at home. This really eliminates the ability to impulse buy. The reason why is because if you have time to think about it on the way home to get your card, it no longer is an impulse buy, it is thought out. So, save money by making sure you do not have the ability to spend more than you have.
One really great way to save some money is to do it yourself. It makes little sense to pay someone else to do something you can do. It gets expensive. If you go out to dinner each night, even if you can make it yourself, you are over spending. Paying other people to do things for you can get expensive, so cut back. Of course it is important to know what things you can't do yourself. However, it is possible to mow your own lawn, clean your own house, and change your own oil on your car. If you do not know how to do these things, learn, it can be done easily. It is important to recognize that handling such everyday tasks on your own can save you a lot of money. If there are little things that take you too long to do on your own, and the time saved is worth the expense. You have to learn to make priorities, and get over the desire to have people do everything for you.
If you want to save money, you have to stick with it. Saving for a week or two, then over spending for a month or two does you little good. So, set up a plan, and stick with it. Make sure that part of your plan includes some indulging, some splurges, and some fun, but make sure that comes after you save money.The key to successfully saving money is to not give up, even when it gets hard. We have all been faced with the choice of sticking to our budget, or blowing it on that great television, outfit, or night with your buds. But is that really worth the time and efforts you have already put in to saving? Saving money takes time and persistence, and if you get discouraged and give in to temptation, you nullify weeks of self-restraint. What a waste! So set reasonable goals, and stick to them! Reasonable is the key word here.
Use credit cards that give cash back rewards. This is a great way to save money if you have the ability to restrain yourself from abusing credit. There are things you have to buy, and purchases you will be making no matter what, so why not use a credit card that gives you 2-3% cash back? Do not keep that credit card in your wallet though or you might find yourself justifying unnecessary purchases because it gives you a reward. A reward is not a reason to make a purchase. So, take advantage of the rewards, but never use them as justification. If you are going to buy something anyway, you might as well save.
One full proof way to save money is to not buy things you do not need. Sure, it's easier said than done, but sometimes you might want to forgo that extra bottle of soda or bag of candy at the supermarket exit, or anything else that won't benefit you in the long run. If you can learn to do this, you will save significant amounts, and you will find that you have more room in your budget for things you like and need, and instead of spending your hard earned money on a treat, you can buy yourself something really nice, and not have to work extra to do this. So, make a list any time you go out of things you will do an buy, and never vary from that list. If you learn to stick to it, you will be able to stick to a budget.
If you want to save money, determine what things you want and need, and how much they are going t cost you, then set up a short term goal for how you are going to get there, and buy such things. Figure out what you need to save for and how much you need to save. This is easy if you want to buy a video game; but, if you want to buy a house, determine how much of a down payment you'll need. For long-term savings goals, such as retirement, you'll need to do a lot more planning. Planning is key to saving money. It is huge! If you fly by the seat of your pants when it comes to finances, you will lose those pants, and the shirt on your back. So, plan ahead, for everything, gas, groceries, and big purchases. This will really make a difference in your ability to save.
A great way to save money is to set savings goals. You will want to determine how much, and for what, you are saving for. Set a particular date for accomplishing short-term goals, and set a perspective date for the long term. Make sure the goal is attainable within that time period. You can't say you want to save fifty grand in a year if you are only making sixty five grand and your living expenses are more than fifteen grand for the year. If it's not attainable, you'll just get discouraged. So, determine what amount must be saved each week, pay period, month, or however is best for you. Then, make that amount a bill that you pay to yourself. It is best to save the same amount each period, that way you are clear on what you need to do and when. For example, if you want to put a $20,000 down payment on a home in 36 months (three years), you'll need to save about $550 per month every month. If you miss a month, you will be able to see just how much longer it will take you to buy the home.
A great way to motivate yourself to save, and thus make it easier for you to save money is to keep a record of your expenses. Write down everything you spend your money on for a couple weeks or a month. Be as detailed as possible, and try not to leave out small purchases. If you get a kids meal for your child, write it down. If you add a candy bar to your gas purchase, record it. At the end of the record keeping time period, take a look at how you are spending your hard earned money. You may find that you spend the amount you earn in an entire day on soda and snacks. Think how much less you could work, or how much more you could save if you cut this back, or cut it out. This is what you need to do. Look at how much you spend eating out. How much could you save if you ate in one more time a week? Keeping record of your spending is very eye opening and will help you save money.
A full proof way to save money is to trim your expenses. You will want to keep track of what you are spending, and then see where you can cut back. For example, you may find that you are spending $75 a month on going out for ice cream. How much ice cream could that buy you at the supermarket if you ate at home? What about things like speeding tickets? Parking tickets? Late fees? If you can trim down the expenditures that are unnecessary, you may find yourself with an extra couple of hundred at the end of each month that you could be saving. So, review your budget and your expenditures, you'll likely see some obvious cuts you can make, and you will want to prioritize the rest of the things to see where else you can cut back some. Then do it. Keep track, add money to your savings, and watch it grow.
A great way to save money is to open an interest-bearing savings account. If you want to save money, you will need to keep it separate from your spending money. Doing this not only helps you to actually save, but also, you can also usually get better interest on savings accounts than on checking accounts. If you have a big enough savings, and are looking to save more, consider higher-interest options such as CDs or money-market accounts. These are best for longer savings goals. However, before opening a savings account, you will want to look around for the best savings interest rate and try to find one that adjusts its rate as the federal interest rate changes. This will mean as the federal increases you will make more on your interest on your savings. Also, if you set up a savings account, be sure that your access to it is not too easy, that way the money you put in it to save will actually stay in it.
If you want to save money,set up an automatic transfer from your checking account to your high interest savings account. This way, your savings starts building, and you pay into your savings as if it were a bill each month. If you can, ask your employer to do this for you. Many employers allow you to deduct savings from your paycheck, which is a fabulous idea. The money is directly deposited in your savings account so you never even see it on your paycheck, and have no temptation to spend it. If you keep a large balance in your checking account, consider moving most of that money into a linked savings account, that allows for transfers. Doing this means you will earn more interest on the savings, but be able to easily transfer it over to your checking when you need it to pay bills, or cover expenses.
The following are some of the little things you can do each week to save money: Stop buying newspapers, movies, books and magazines. Borrow from the public library. It is usually free, convenient, and will save you hundreds over the course of a year. Cook more, eat out less. This is going to be huge. You will not only save money in food costs, but you will also save money in service fees. Sure you have to clean up after, but the savings will be well worth it. Also, when you cook, be sure to use less salt, less sugar and less oil as this will help you to stay healthier and will reduce the amount of money you spend on doctor's visits and life insurance. Turn down the heat and up the AC. If you change your thermostat by just a few degrees, it can make a huge difference in your utilities. Do the same on your water heater.
Make savings a priority. If you want to save money, you have to really make it a priority, life happens and unexpected expenses cause you to deviate from your budget from time to time, however, when this happens, if you use the money from your savings, instead of cutting other unnecessary expenses, you will never save. There is going to be something that comes up each month, whether it is a broken down car, or a vacation you had not planned but take. So, before you cut money from your savings goals, look at what other areas you could cut your spending in. Do you really need 300 channels? Do you have to go to the gym to workout? Can you trade babysitting with a neighbor instead of paying someone? Other than the bare necessities, your savings goals should be your top priority. If you make them so, you will save, save, save, and you will find you have a lot more room in your budget for the incidentals than you had thought.
It is obvious, but true, if you want to save money, you have to figure out ways to cut back on big monthly expenses like gas and car maintenance. In this day and age, most people have cars, so saving money on gas can really make a difference in your ability to save money or not. If you have multiple cars, consider getting rid of one of the cars altogether if you can. It is amazing how much this slight inconvenience can save you, not only in gas, but in insurance, repairs, and regular oil changes, etc. If you can't cut back on the number of cars you have, or how much gas you use, then at least try to drive less (for example, if the grocery store is close by, walk). Instead of idling your car at the mailbox. Park it, shut it off, and walk back out. Also, be sure to shop around for insurance even before you buy a car. It is amazing the differences in cost of car insurance from one company to the next, so do not go with the first insurance company you come across, look around.
One great way to save is to never count on anything extra. In life, we tend to get extra occasionally. You may have a friend pay you back a loan you thought would never be paid. You may get an unexpected cash gift for a birthday, holiday, graduation, or just because. You may get a rebate on something you purchased. You may get a bonus at work. If you receive unexpected cash, put all or most of it into your savings. If you do this, and you continue to set aside your regularly scheduled savings amount as well (assuming you have one), you will reach your savings goals sooner, and will be pleased to watch your balance grow. Obviously you should still use some of these gifts and bonuses to get yourself a little something, rewards are great, but set as much into savings as possible. After all you were not counting on, planning on, or expecting this money anyway.
A great way to save money is to do the rolling debt. As you pay off one debt, use the monthly payment amount you were paying to pay extra on another. For example, let's say you have a car loan, a time share loan, a credit card, and your mortgage. As you satisfy the payment of your car loan, instead of considering that $250+ a month as extra money, just keep paying it as you have been, only start paying it toward the next debt. You can either work to pay off the debt with the smallest balance, as it will be paid off first, or the debt with the highest interest rate, as this will save you more money. As each debt gets paid down, and as new debts are being avoided, you can take the payment amount and pay off your other debts much faster. When the majority of your debts are paid. Set aside that money into savings, or apply it to your mortgage. Over the life of your mortgage this extra will save you thousands and thousands. This is really a great way to save money because you are already use to making the payment, and this way, the money you used to pay to somebody else now goes to you, or helps you be debt free faster.
One really smart way to save money is to start saving your change. People think of change as having little value, and so they waste it on vending machines and other useless purchases; however, over the course of a year, all of that change you have been wasting could be a good amount of savings, or at least a start. So, use a piggy bank or jar for your coins. Each day, empty your change into the jar. Coins and change may look insignificant but when accumulated over time they can help you save. Once your jar is full, take the change to a bank that offers free coin counting machines, and have the amount put into your savings account. When you redeem your coins, if not at your own bank, ask to be paid by check so you won't be tempted to spend the cash.
Trade as often and as much as you can. If you find that your extra expenses, such as your entertainment are really starting to add up, then a good idea would be to trade with neighbors and friends as often as you can. For example, if you rent a movie, before returning it, let your neighbor watch it. They will return the favor, and that will save you from having to pay for both rentals. If you like to have a night out away from the kids, find another couple that enjoys this as well, and trade babysitting. This can save you a lot, and make date night considerably less expensive. If you do not like to cook much, and find you spend a lot eating out because of a lack of desire to cook, then get together with friends, and decide that when one of you cook, you will make enough for the other, and trade off meals. Learning to combine forces and make trades can greatly increase the amount of money you have to put in your savings each month.
A really great way to save money is to make sure you get the lowest interest rate on things as possible. For example, most people do not pay cash for their home, rather they finance it. What many people do not realize is that the difference monthly and over the life of your loan of a 6.5% interest rate and an 8.5% interest rate is huge! If you have a home, it is likely one of the biggest expenditures you make each month. So, be sure you give it due diligence and search

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