"83 Little Known Secrets To Saving Money
|
||
Welcome To Day 1
In addition to the obvious of putting money into a
retirement fund or savings account, there are hundreds of ways to save
money. Although some ways
of saving may not seem like much, once you add them up at the end of the
year, you will see how substantial the savings really are.
Keep in mind that saving is more than a single lump sum of money
put aside. Saving is
something found in your everyday life by the way you live and the
choices you make. Rome was not built in a day and neither will your
bank account be. Each penny
saved is one more penny than before.
If you have the ability to save big, that is great.
However, most people are not in that position, which is why this
course will show you how little savings can add up quickly. Be encouraged that it is never too late to start saving, regardless of your age. Set your mind that now is the time to start building your future.
Over the next 10 days, I'll be sharing 83 simple and
creative tips to get you on the right path. 1.
Holiday
Gift Giving
This
tip is especially helpful for large families.
Although it is fun buying for and receiving from everyone, it can
be very expensive. Make an
agreement with your family that you will continue to buy for the
children but that the adults will go with a name exchange.
This way the children are not disappointed and you can spend a
little more on one or two people rather than spreading your money thin.
For the members that you did not pick to exchange with, bake a
loaf of their favorite homemade bread or cookies. 2.
Clearance
Always
head straight for the clearance rack where you can find amazing
bargains. Sometimes you may
have to dig a little to find the right item but the savings will be
well-worth your time. Most
clearance racks offer variety, current trends, and great value.
For example, Bed, Bath & Beyond has a clearance section where
you can find all kinds of wonderful household items for a fraction of
the original cost. 3.
Thrift
/ Surplus Stores
Unfortunately,
thrift and surplus stores have been given a bad rap.
Many of these stores are filled with hundreds of top quality
items. Name brand
merchandise is easy to find but just like clearance racks, it takes some
time to find. Find a thrift
or surplus store close to where you live and then plan spending some
time to find those outstanding bargains.
One woman in Kansas City, Missouri located such a store about 20
minutes from her home. After
shopping through every isle over the period of two hours, she walked out
of the store with eight huge garbage bags filled to the brim with
designer clothes for her and her children, many with the original tags
still attached. She even
found a couple of Liz Claiborne suits for herself at $5.99 each and a
Dooney & Burke purse normally valued at $225 for $19.95.
Her children had an entire season of school clothes and best of
all, she paid less than $200. 4.
Reuse
When
you shop, look for items that can be reused.
Rechargeable batteries are a perfect example.
Even though the initial purchase may be more than
non-rechargeable batteries, there is a definite savings over a long
period. Another option
would be to purchase a nice artificial Christmas tree.
Many of the current artificial trees look amazingly real and with
the right lights and ornaments, you can change the look from year to
year. 5.
Landscaping
If
you are considering creating a nice flower garden area, shopping for
plants even on sale, can be expensive.
Before you go out and start spending, look around to see if you
have other plants that can be split from your existing flowers.
Additionally, if you have a good relationship with any of your
neighbors, you might ask them if they have any plants you could use as a
starter. Another great idea is the next time you are in the market to
buy a lawnmower, purchase one that mulches leaves.
This way, rather than buy mulch for your flowerbeds every year,
you can simply use the mulch you make. 6.
Budget
Everyone
should create a budget. If
you are not sure how or just not good with money, many businesses such
as H&R Block, offer free financial consulting to help you put a
budget together. Knowing
where you are spending your money is by far the best way to save.
In most cases, people have no idea where their money is really
going and once they see it on paper, not only are they surprised but
eager to change their spending habits. 7.
Plan
Planning
is a great way to save. Before
you go to the grocery store, make a list and stick with it.
If considering a vacation, plan everything. Heading out with no set direction will certainly lead you to
impulsive spending. 8.
Buy
in Bulk
It
is true that warehouse shopping can save a lot of money.
Even if you have a small family, you can always split large
quantities. The price of
items in bulk is generally a great bargain.
If you are single, you might go in with friends or family on bulk
items. 9.
Allowance
Do not forget to give yourself an allowance for things you enjoy. Even if on a tight budget, buy something that you enjoy, which could be as simple as buying a new shirt or grabbing lunch at your favorite café. If you do not allow yourself this small “splurge”, you could find yourself in the same position as if dieting. Total deprivation leads to overindulgence.
|