10 Simple Ways To Lower Your Monthly Expenses ... Without Living On Bread & Water!
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If money is tight, you have 2 choices:
Make more money
Spend less money
It really is that simple. And you can easily work on both at the same time. If you want to learn how to make more money, here are some money making tips. If you want to learn a few ways to cut costs, use these 10 simple tips:
1 - Start using coupons.
Cutting coupons from the Sunday paper is a hassle, but can save you money. You can also find coupons on many merchant's websites, and you can also get coupons from being in rewards programs for many retailers. Over time, the savings adds up.
2 - Get rid of cable TV & cell phones (or get a cheaper package).
Sure, living without cable TV and cell phones is hard. It's a luxury we've made into a necessity. But even if you cancel for just a few months, you can save quite a bit. If you refuse to give these up, then go for a cheaper package. There's no need for the highest service level when you're struggling financially.
3 - Stop eating out (or eat at a cheaper restaurant).
Eating out is costly. Because you're paying not just for the food, but for the service. You can save a lot by making your own dinners, and bringing your own lunches to work. Or try going out for breakfast instead of lunch, or going to a deli instead of a sit-down restaurant.
4 - Buy at consignment stores.
You can buy all kinds of items on consignment - clothing, toys, household goods. You'll be surprised at how many of these items are in nearly-new condition, at a deep discount. You can also check out tag sales for great bargains. And save a lot of money by not buying retail.
5 - Call all of your credit cards and ask for a lower interest rate (which will lower your monthly payment).
This is something everyone should do. Even a few percentage points can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of a year. And keep doing it every few months. There's no guarantee you'll get a lower rate, but if you do, it's easy money back in your pocket.
6 - Unsubscribe to all newspapers, magazines, and anything similar.
Most newspapers and magazines have websites where you can access most if not all of their regular hard-copy content. While reading online may not be as enjoyable as grabbing a newspaper and sitting at your kitchen table, it is cheaper.
7 - Stop lending money to friends and relatives.
When you win the lottery, you can lend money. When you're struggling with your own money problems, you should not be solving the financial issues of your friends and relatives. Not that you should never help a loved one, but be careful not to be too "easy" when it comes to helping out.
8 - Get a big jar and put in all your change and $1 bills.
While this won't actually lower your monthly expenses, it will help you save for things you need. And it can be a fun activity (and an invaluable lesson about saving money) for the entire family. You'll be surprised how fast you can save enough for a night out on the town using this method.
9 - Don't buy unless you can pay cash.
When money is tight, this is probably the hardest step to follow. But without a doubt the most important. Sure, we want it all. And we want it now. But if we don't have the money, paying for a simple purchase can end up being spread out over months, or even years. So don't buy (especially things you want but don't really need) unless you can pay cash.
10 - Read your monthly credit card statements and bank account statements and look for other expenses to eliminate!
Be creative. Look for every chance to save a few bucks. And over time, you'll end up saving a lot.
So, if money is tight, you need to work harder to find ways to get ahead. Every little bit really does help. And in the long run, you'll be better off financially!
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