Six Ways to Easily Save Money
Start saving today
Financial experts today recommend having at least six months of living expenses squirreled away in a savings account to help you cope with an unexpected change in your financial situation. However, if you’re already pinching pennies just to make ends meet, coming up with that much money may seem impossible. It will take time and financial discipline, but you can do it. Consider some of these tips to help you get a start.
Coupons, coupons, coupons
For years, coupon-clipping moms were mocked in the media for their penny-pinching ways. Today, though, the media have come flocking back, asking for their money saving tips! You too can take a page from their books and start saving money with the coupons that you find online or in local publications. Remember the golden rule of clipping coupons – only clip them for stuff you'll actually use. Saving $ 10 on a case of baby food isn’t a great deal if you don’t have any children!
Switch to home brew
You’ve probably heard this one before — trading the Starbucks habit for a home-brewed cup of Joe — but for some reason, it’s a budgetary step that few people are willing to take. Try it this way. A cup of coffee at Starbucks can run up to $ 4, which adds up to over $ 1,000 a year if you drink 5 cups a week. Coffee brewed at home or at the office costs just a fraction of this, which means more money in your pocket.
Take advantage of free events
Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you have to cut all of the fun out of your life. Lots of museums, colleges, and other organizations offer free events that are open for the public, including art gallery openings, cake tastings, and book readings. Check community websites and local newspapers to find free events in your area.
Split an entrée
When you go out to eat, opt to share an entrée with your dining companion instead of ordering separate dishes. The posrtions served by most restaurants are enough to feed two people well, saving money and cutting calories.
Round down at the bank
Some banks offer a service that rounds deposits down to the nearest dollar and re-routes the remaining change into a separate checking account. Say if you were to deposit a check for $ 85.12 into a qualified account, your bank would put $ 85 into checking and the remainder of $ .12 into savings. If you're bank doesn't offer this option, you can do it yourself by dividing checks into separate checking and savings accounts.
Right-size your service bills
When was the last time you looked at your monthly cell phone bill? Have you checked since you opened the account? You should take a look if you haven't, as you might be overpaying for a plan with more minutes than you need. Take a similar critical look at your cable and internet bills. If you're already paying for premium services you don't need, cut them and put the extra funds towards savings.
Tags: Financial experts, save money, savings account, unexpected change