It is the start of a new year, and the time that we all take a look back at the past year and think about what things in our lives we want to change or improve upon. Making New Year's Resolutions and setting goals for the year is a time honored tradition, even though most of us break them just as fast as we make them.
For many people this year, a big resolution is about saving money and cutting expenses. With the economy still in rough shape and employers cutting back hours, pay and even jobs, socking some money away for an emergency is becoming more important. So, here are some tips for saving a little bit of money this year:
- Cut your food bill – Cutting your food budget can sound next to impossible, but when you think about it, it is the place where we all tend to spend a lot. Snacks from vending machines, buying lunch at work instead of packing it and ordering pizza instead of cooking something can waste a lot of money. You can make out a weekly menu plan and use the plan to write your grocery list. Try your best to stick with the plan and avoid the temptation of getting fast food on your way home. One good idea for making this work is to make a large batch of something like chili, then freeze servings of it. This gives you a back up for nights when you don't feel like spending a lot of time cooking.
- Look at re-occurring expenses – Take a look at what charges you just automatically pay each month and see if they are all necessary. Maybe you have subscription services on your cell bill, cable bill or automatic withdrawals that you don't really need. Think about it, if you could save $50 a month by getting rid of services you don't use, if you put the money in savings instead, you would have $600 saved by next year.
- Buy things that last – Saving money isn't just a matter of spending less, it is looking at the larger picture. If you aren't in a financial crisis, you can save a lot of money by spending a little more and buying only nice quality items. Instead of buying a cheap sweater at a discount store, look for good sales at nice department stores. The item will last longer and won't need to be replace after you wash it once or twice. The same with items in your home. When you buy quality stuff, you spend more but save money because you don't have to replace it.
- Learn how to do things yourself – Learning a new skill is fun and can save you a bundle. Home improvements, craft projects and repairs are cheaper to do yourself and can be a great family activity. Things like gardening in the summer, learning how to change your oil and doing minor home repairs yourself can save a lot of money over the course of a year.
- Plan ahead – Things like airfare and hotels are much cheaper if you plan your vacation ahead of time. There are many sites on the internet that can help you find the best deal possible. But, if you wait until the last minute, you will be paying much more for the same flight or hotel room.
Cutting your expenses and saving money doesn't have to be a chore. If you make it into a game and get your whole family in on the act, it can even be fun. If you need some motivation to keep yourself on track, there are some budgeting website you can use to track your savings and to help you save up to reach a goal.
With a little research, and some hard work, you will be on the road to savings success.
Are you looking for a job in Manufacturing? Be sure to visit ManufacturingWorkers.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!