Five Major Ways to Save Money
There are two main roads to improving your personal finances: increasing
income, and cutting costs.
Increasing income is the harder road to travel. After all, you can't
always get a raise or a new job when you need one.
But cutting costs, that's a different story!
You're in complete control in this area. And all it takes is some
imagination and discipline-both of which are free.
Below are five major ways to save money in the basic areas of food,
shelter, clothing and transportation. They're major expenses in your life
- and places for major savings.
1. Home Cooking
Food is a major expense in everyone's budget.
But, in today's convenience food society, it's easy to overlook how much
money can be saved by cooking meals at home. Plus, it's fun, creative, and
healthier to make your own meals.
The key is to cook in "bulk" to stretch the food you buy over several
meals.
If you're a busy person with little time to spare, a good investment is a
slow cooker (or crock pot). Generally, they run from $20 to $80, depending
on the size.
With a slow cooker, you can set aside some time on the weekend to cook
stews, soups, and other delicious meals that can be frozen for weekday use.
After a hard day at work, all you have to do is pop the meal in the
microwave!
More than likely, you'll enjoy an additional benefit - your taste buds
will wake up from mass produced food and thank you for the delicious taste
of a home-cooked meal!
2. Drive less, exercise more
Is owning a car expensive?
You already know the answer to that question, don't you?
Gas, maintenance, insurance costs. Plus the mental aggravation of being
caught in traffic jams!
Why not carpool or take public transportation-the bus, train, or light
rail?
Or, if you live close to work, walk or bike. You'll lose weight, lower
your blood pressure, and see the world at a slower pace.
And, oh yes, you'll save a couple of thousand dollars in the process.
3. Cut housing costs
This is an easy and fun way to cut costs.
Instead of paying a contractor to come in to make changes or repairs, make
them yourself.
Local hardware stores love your business and will help you with tips and
tricks on home repair.
Also, do your own decorating and painting. You get two benefits by doing
your own changes and repairs - you get the pride of accomplishment and you
save money.
4. Cut clothing costs
This can be another major area of expenses, especially if you have a
family.
So, try buying used clothing... dry clothes on the clothes line instead of
in a dryer... learn how to mend clothes...
...well, you get the idea!
5. Quit your addictions
Okay, so this is not really an easy category, but if you enjoy cigarettes
and a drink, this is where you can realize some major savings.
Assume you're spending $5.00 a day on cigarettes. Added up over a year,
that's an expense of $1825.
As for liquor or wine, we all know how expensive that is.
Assume you buy one bottle a week at $10 to share with family members or
friends. That's $520 a year.
Add both amounts up, and the total is $2,345!
That's money that could be paying down your debt or going into savings.
And don't forget the health benefits.
You probably have many other ideas on how to save money in the five areas.
If it seems hard at times to cut costs in these places, remember one thing
- you're on the road to keeping more of your money in your own pocket!
As the old saying goes: "Money saved is as good as money earned".
About The Author
Paul Davis writes for Debt Elimination 4U, showing ordinary people how to
get out of debt and stay out! Visit the site at:
http://debt-elimination-4u.com
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