Figuring out how you can spend less money can seem as though it is a huge hurdle to overcome. No one wants to spend their lives feeling as though they have to struggle just to make ends meet or live paycheck to paycheck. Money and finances are a huge source of stress for many and can cause a variety of problems such as depression and marital problems.
No matter what your reason for wanting to start a comprehensive budget and curb your spending, making the choice to pay attention to your spending may help you live a happier life, spend less, get out of debt and save for retirement.
CREATIVE WAYS TO CUT EXPENSES
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STOP EATING OUT
Eating out can help relieve some of the stress of cooking a meal, but the end game is much more detrimental than planning ahead. Eating out can become a massive expense, even if it is only once a week. There is nothing wrong with taking some time to enjoy a meal out, but it should be planned and worked into a comprehensive budget. If you budget for eating out only once a month, stick to it. Always remember that it is much more spend thrifty to eat at home and if you insist on eating out, find coupons or deals that are available in your area to get your meal cheaper.
BUY USED
New is not always better. There are so many groups and sites out there these days that allow you to buy quality items at a discounted price. Check out your local Facebook swaps or online buy and sell sites to find the items that you are looking for. Chances are you will find something that matches what you want, and it will be significantly cheaper than if you bought it brand new.
MAKE A LIST
Budgets are great but if you don’t stick strictly to them, you aren’t going to make progress. Make a list of everything that you spend for one month. Document all expenses from your mortgage payment all the way down to that coffee you buy every morning. When you inspect the list at the end of the month you can then see how much you spent and what you spent it on that month. Then make an educated decision on what you can and should cut back on.
CARPOOL
Carpooling is not only good for the environment, it is also great for the pocket book. If you can split driving responsibilities between yourself and your co-workers you may be able to save money on gas. Taking turns driving is a fantastic way to cut down on what is a necessary expense.
There are many ways that you can save money each month. Budgeting and paying attention to where your money goes each month can be an eye-opening experience. Just make sure that you are minimizing your stress caused by finances by ensuring you aren’t overspending on things that aren’t necessary.
Check out these books by Dave Ramsey to help you if you get stuck:
The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University
You may also like this post on HOW TO LIVE CONTENTLY WITH LESS:
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Heather Thomson
Saturday 16th of December 2017
Not eating out is a big one. My family recently stopped eating out and not only have we saved a lot of money, but we find the food we cook at home tastes better than food cooked in a restaurant
nicky
Sunday 3rd of December 2017
I agree about buying used - there are so many thing that can be re-used by another family when we are done with them, including baby clothes and toys.
marlene a harris
Friday 24th of November 2017
my son buys 5 dollar coffees i cannot see why i could not enjoy it at that price
Krista M
Thursday 23rd of November 2017
Not dining out is a huge cut to monthly expenses! That even includes buying coffee, which some people do daily which can add up. The more food/beverages you make at home, the more you'll see a difference in your wallet!