The word frugal doesn’t mean being cheap anymore. By practicing frugality with just a couple of money saving tips you will be building wise money saving strategies while building up your bank account.
Here are just a few ways to start:
1. Sell It. If you have a garage or storage unit full of items that you haven’t looked at in months, it is most likely that you won’t miss it if you sold it. Today it is easier than ever to get rid of your extra belongs. From Ebay to yard sales and consignment, take those extra belongings and turn them into cash.
2. Plan Your Shopping Trips. Before going out to make a purchase, whether it is groceries or large ticket items, make a list of what you need and stick to it. For the larger items, do some comparison-shopping online and look for sales. As for groceries, don’t throw away those free newspaper inserts that come in the mail, they are often full of coupons and sale information. Follow this by making a list before going to the grocery store you will prevent yourself from buying unwanted items that quickly add up in cost.
3. Pay Cash. If you stick to using cash when possible, you will better be able to track where your money is going. It is too easy to use the debit and credit card and pretend you have all the money in the world, until your statement comes in. Take out a cash allowance from each pay as your spending money and stick to it.
4. Reshop Your Insurance. Be sure to check on whether you can lower your car or health insurance rates on a yearly basis. By doing a little comparison shopping you might find a savings.
5. Turn Down the Thermostat. To save on your utility bills, start by turning your thermostat down to a comfortable temperature and then leave it there. Turning your thermostat up and down makes your furnace or air conditioner kick on and off which drains energy. Try opening windows as often as you can and use a sweater to stay comfortable.
6. Check Your Phone Bill. Unless you frequently use long-distance, you can cut long-distance fees by dropping long distance services from your monthly phone bill and using a phone card or a long-distance connection service. Internet services offer free to affordable long distance plans as well.
7. Balance Your Checkbook. Overdraft fees can eat you up, even if your checkbook is off by a nickel. Keep extra money in your account and stay on top of your balance.
8. Track Spending. And last, track your spending a little more carefully. When you see how much money is going out you can then decide what to cut back on. You can ask yourself, what would make me feel better, having this product or seeing ‘x’ amount of money in my savings account?
Make a practice of using these above tips and you will be surprised how the little things add up.
Franklin Buck is the friendly spokes person for
ThinkCash.com, a company that provides
short term loans to individuals. For more information, please visit
www.ThinkCash.com.
