Top 10 Budget Helps for Lean Times
March 10th 2009 00:30
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Stop Stressing the Finances
With the economy continuing to stumble and jobs being cut almost daily, lots of people are looking for ways to trim the monthly budget. Reducing expenses and maximizing income are definitely on everyone’s mind these days, so here are ten quick ideas for getting your budget in fighting trim for the uncertain days ahead.
1. Start packing your lunch instead of eating out. Even in areas with low costs of living, you can easily spend twenty to thirty dollars each week by eating out at lunch instead of brown bagging it. You’ll save both money and calories.
2. Sell your extra stuff. With eBay and Craigslist.com, your market is practically worldwide. Still got that coin collection you started in the sixth grade? Somebody out there is probably willing to pay you to part with it. What about all those paperback books you’ve read and that are now stacked in the corner? Take them to Half-Price Books or another used book store.
3. Ask for more hours at work or work overtime. If your employer allows it and if you have the chance, getting in a few extra hours each week can add up to extra money for the emergency fund at the end of the month. Is it time for your annual review? If you think you’ve got a shot at a raise, now is not the time to be shy.
4. Take a part time job or do contract work. Even a minimum wage gig at ten to twenty hours per week can help you pay down a credit card or raise cash for your rainy day fund. If you’ve got a marketable skill, why not check out a few online help wanted boards (craigslist.com classifieds are a good place to start) to see if someone is willing to pay for your expertise?
5. Rent movies instead of going to the theater. Most new releases hit the local video rental within a few months. You can wait, especially if it means saving $5 to $15, depending on how many movie tickets you would have bought. Better yet, see if your local public library rents movies. Most do, and it’s free.
6. Shop at resale or thrift stores. Believe it or not, you don’t have to sacrifice style to save on clothing costs. Especially if you live in a college town, you can often find designer brand clothing, tags still attached, for half or less of what you’d pay at regular retail.
7. Raise your insurance deductible. If your car is paid for, either take liability only coverage or raise your deductible to $1,000 or more. You’ll pay out more if you’re in an at-fault accident, but in the meantime you can still be covered and reduce your monthly premiums at the same time.
8. Stop smoking. Enough said.
9. Insulate or weather strip your windows and doors and keep your central heating-AC filters clean. This will cut your energy costs and extend the life of your equipment.
10. Drink more water and less of everything else. Especially at restaurants, other drinks (and especially alcohol) add significantly to the tab. Drink water. You’re already paying for it on your utility bill, and, besides, it’s good for you!
Photo Credit: sxc.hu / Paula Pandey Chhetri
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Comment by sam sall
Speech Starter
Health Matters
thanks