Whether the country is in a recession or not, rising prices are certainly making it harder for people to live within their means. It may take a little more creative thinking to find ways to keep expenses under control. Sometimes it’s the little amounts we save here and there that add up to the difference we are looking for.
Here are a few ways to make cuts in spending that could add up to $100 or more in savings. We hope they will motivate you to spend a little time finding other ways you can trim down costs. A few hours spent brainstorming ways to save is time well spent.
1. Water Is a Perfect Drink
Have you convinced yourself that you have to have flavor in your drink? While drinking nothing but “cool, clear water” right from your kitchen tap would be the ideal way to save the most money, that’s probably not going to happen. But if you reduce the amount of flavored drinks you consume, it can save you quite a bit of money over a year.
Try making a point of drinking three glasses of water a day. It will reduce the need to drink as many purchased drinks by making you feel less thirsty during the day. If you can reduce the amount of purchased drinks that cost $1 by just three drinks a week, you have saved more than $150 a year. Plus, if you’re used to running to the convenience store when you need a soda, you’ll save on gas as well.
2. Compare, Compare, Compare
This one takes a little time but when you have a few extra minutes a day but not a few extra dollars, the time spent is worth it. The Internet has helped people a lot when shopping for the best prices on things like auto insurance and interest rates. But you can also use it for everyday items. There are many sites that have done the price research for you and display it in a comparison chart. This can be especially helpful if you have over-the-counter needs like allergy medicines or other medical supplies. You can often get free shipping on your purchases if you spend $25 or more so you save on gas as well and the time you save going to the store makes up for the time you spend doing the research. Once you find the sites you like, your weekly time spent researching quickly reduces. If you don’t have the Internet at home, make a visit to your local library.
3. Check Out the Coupons
Many people don’t want to spend the time it takes to gather and organize coupons, but it only takes a short time to check out the ones that come in the newspaper or in the mail, and the truth is you only have to use $2 a week in coupons to save more than $100 a year. Make sure you only save the coupons for items you already use and will purchase again. Don’t be tempted by coupons for things you don’t need. And don’t forget about coupons for things that go beyond the grocery store, for example, pizza, oil change, and haircuts. You’ll soon become a pro and it won’t take much time at all to save a lot for little effort.
4. Cheap Treats
Just because you’re trying to spend less money doesn’t mean your need for a treat now and then is going to go away. Besides, a little treat is a great morale booster. You don’t want to spend a lot of time in the recession doldrums. Look around for ways to enjoy a treat—on a budget. For example, an ice cream cone at the fast-food window is a lot cheaper than at the ice cream specialty store. Grocery stores often put candy bars on at special prices. If you’re careful, you’ll never have to pay more than 33 cents for a candy bar if you only buy them when they’re 3 for a $1.00. Merchants are feeling the economic pinch as well so keep your eyes out for the good deals and if you have budgeted carefully, you’ll be ready to take advantage of the savings.
5. Cold Water Cleans as Well as Hot Water
Contrary to what some people think, it is no longer necessary to wash everything in hot water to really get it clean. Soap and detergent do the sterilizing for us that could only be achieved by hot water in days gone by. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that and continue to spend unnecessary money on heating hot water for their washing machine. The biggest cost of running a washing machine is heating the water—up to 90% of the cost.
The advances in washing machines and detergents mean that only the dirtiest and greasiest clothes now need hot water to get clean. Setting your washing machine to a cold wash/cold rinse cycle instead of hot wash/cold rinse will have little impact on how clean your clothes get, but it will save you as much as $100 to $150 a year. It can be even more than that if you have children.
Having Trouble Sticking to a Budget?
What comes to your mind when you say the word budget? Do you see cheap motels, no eating out, and other unpleasant restrictions? Often the word budget leaves a negative impression. But try thinking of a budget more as a spending plan. A spending plan is a very positive concept and a powerful tool.
A spending plan allows you to prepare, so you can enjoy the things you want while staying within your means. So when you spend money going to the movies, or on a date, you know you won’t be spending more than you should—which is liberating instead of restrictive.
People who are in control of their finances are people who can account for their money. They plan ahead for needed cash and reserve money for planned and unplanned expenses. The sad truth is that most families live paycheck to paycheck with no spending plan, no monthly accountability, no savings plan, and no idea of how or when they are going to get out of debt.
Until your plans and goals are expressed in a written spending plan and your monthly income and expenditures are accurately recorded, you will be unlikely to achieve your financial goals. The longer you procrastinate developing a practical, working spending plan, the longer you deny yourself the peace of mind that comes with being in control of your finances. A good spending plan depends on thorough planning and understanding your individual needs. Start by evaluating your personal and family financial records so you know how much you have been spending and where you have been spending it. Determine your total income and total expenses. If your income exceeds your expenses, great—but you can still improve your financial stability and reduce debt quickly through an effective spending plan.
If your expenses exceed your income, you can develop a spending plan that will separate “wants” from “needs.” You will need to develop good money management habits by planning and putting forth a great deal of effort, but in the end you’ll be on the path to financial freedom.
TIP: One of the biggest drains on a budget is “nickel and dime” spending. If you don’t know how much you spend on the “little things,” put a set amount of money in an envelope for miscellaneous spending. Only make small purchases out of this envelope until the money is gone.