28 July 2011
Ways To Save Money
Cutting on your expenses will take some work and sacrifice on your part, but in the long run it will be worth it. The main issue here is being willing to change your "style" of living and learning the difference between what you really need and what you don't need.
We are always bombarded with commercials, advertisements, have friends who seem to "have it all" and can feel that we are being judged by what we have and not who we are. In the end, what we have, what brand, how many and how much did it cost, is not that important. We can't take it with us when we die right? What is important, is what is inside and who we are. What is also important is taking care of ourselves, our health, and our lifestyles. It is important to reduce the stress of how are you going to pay the next months bills. In a previous article I discussed how to pay off your credit card debts. This is a follow up, with suggestions on how to find that extra money to do just that, so you can be free of all those bills once and for all!
As you move along, each time you want to purchase something, ask yourself..."Do I really NEED this?" Most of the time, the answer will be an astounding "NO"
So lets get started!
1) Cook at Home.
Tip! Use a crock-pot for the bulk of your meals, it is easy and works! It is worth the expense of purchasing one. First go to garage sales and second hand shops. Plug it in and see if it works before buying. Look online for crock-pot recipes. I have cooked, chicken, soups, ham, and beans in my crock-pot and the food is delicious! The benefit? Better tasking food, hardly any time spent after work, cooking! The preparation time is not that bad either!
2) Budget that special once a week going out to eat dinner, if you must. However, you will find that it would be more fun to eat at home and use that precious money for a movie or bowling or something else! You will also find after a while, that the food will not be as fresh nor taste as good as your home cooked meals!
3) First, make your weekly meal list then your shopping list based on only that!
Make your shopping list based on what you NEED not what you WANT. Remember, to create meals that are healthy, and organic.
Tip! Do Not buy pre-made and pre-processed items. They cost more and hardly have any nutrition. This blog is all about becoming whole, both inside and out!
I am posting recipes that are low cost and quick/easy to cook! You just have to scroll in the archive section to find them.
4) Stick to your list and buy nothing else. (unless you forgot to put down the toilet paper or milk!) Do not "impulse" buy at the grocery store.
Tip! Eat before shopping, if you shop when you are hungry, you will buy more food and spend more than you need!
5) Shop when you are in a hurry! You will need to run through the store and buy only what is on your list! This is a great trick!
6) Buy in bulk at the natural food store.
Tip! One of the best breakfasts you can eat is oatmeal! (I call it Muesli) Buy the bulk whole oats, (not quick) some bulk raisins, some bulk salt free almonds add some sliced fruit and wholla! You have a wonderful and inexpensive breakfast that is good for your heart! The kids will learn to love this too! By the way, top it with bulk honey made in your local area to help fight off allergies.
7) Take your leftovers for your lunch at work. (Always cook a bit more for your dinners so you will have leftovers) Just do it! It will save you tons of $$$.
Tip! Give yourself only that very special occasion to eat out for lunch. Remember, you have to follow your money savings plan to get out of debt. (It's not that bad)
8) Cut down your meat intake: your body does not need meat everyday, cut it down to once a week and change to fish two or three times a week. Make lots of soups, they are super healthy, and quick in the crock-pot. If you must have meat more than once a week, buy a whole chicken, not the parts. Buy a chicken without hormones, grown and feed real food, and on the range. The nutrition will go farther, Cook the whole chicken, and use it for two meals, in soups, or casseroles.
9) Use cloth napkins instead of paper. They are more elegant and save our trees and your $$. You do not need paper towels either!
10) Pay your bills on time. Avoid the late fees.
11) Avoid ATM fees, walk into you bank instead, it only takes a few minutes more!
12) Do you use your landline? If not, disconnect it.
13) Check with your cell phone plan and see what you can do to save, they will help you analyze your bills to see how many minutes you normally use and what kind of calls. Maybe you can change to increase your minutes and save on your bill.
14) Go to garage sales, if you want something, books, a vase, even clothes, try the garage sales first! You will be amazed at what you can find! Take a Saturday morning and hit the town. Give your kids a few dollars they can spend too!.
15) If you have young children, buy their clothes at the garage sales, really. A baby grows up very fast and the clothes are almost like new. Bargain with the sellers!
16) Join the local library: instead of buying new books. They also have CD's for movies, and music!
17) Put your filtered or tap water into your own water bottles. You do not need to buy bottled water! Take a bottle or two with you to work, it helps you to get the water that your body needs and saves you from buying coffee or cokes!
18) Ride your bicycle or walk whenever you can. You do not need to use your car to drive a few blocks to buy milk or bread! Get some exercise while you are at it, take your kids for the walk too.
19) Go out only once a week, and budget how much you can spend. Try to chose things to do other than what you can do at home. Like going out for dinner, and if you do, avoid buying alcohol. The tab adds up with alcohol!
Tip! Choose instead to eat dinner at home with your glass or two of wine, then go to a club, to listen to some live Jazz and buy only one drink!
20) Watch your electricity: Interesting enough, even if you are not using the product and it is plugged in, you are using electricity! Instead of switching off your TV, unplug it!
There is more to come! I just don't want to exhaust you!
Related Articles:
How to Pay off Credit Card Debt and Live without Them!
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Best Vegetarian Chili Recipe
