If you are like most people then you are probably living paycheck to paycheck. There never seems to be enough money left over at the end of the week. Your debts are starting to pile up and your juggling with them to pay just enough to keep the creditors from hounding you. If your lifestyle and debt is starting to get out of hand then don’t fret. The solution to relive some of your stress and money troubles may just be a little easier than you think.
Here are some handy hints that you can start implementing that can save you around $1200 per year that can go direct to paying of your debt or saving up for something important.
1. Stop buying your morning coffee. That’s not to say stop drinking coffee in the morning. But have you noticed how expensive buying a cup of coffee is. Buying a cup of coffee every morning can set you back say $2.50 each day for five days a week which amounts to $12.50 per week. Instead of buying coffee why not purchase a flask from your local store and make your own coffee to take to work. You won’t need to wait in line and think about all the time you save walking to the coffee shop each day.
2. Make your own packed lunch. I know how little time we all have and that’s why we tend to take the easy road and just by lunch at work. But if you just took a little time each evening before you go to bed and make your own packed lunch you could save around $15 per day on takeaway. What’s more is that it will be far more healthier than what you’d probably end up buying at your local diner or food court.
3. Rent your movies. We don’t have to go to the cinemas every time you want to go and watch a movie. Why not just stay in some nights and watch it from the comfort of your own home. Buy a bag of microwave popcorn and rent the latest release dvd and you have yourself a night-in instead of a night-out. After all its really about spending time with friends anyway so why not invite a few over and make a night of it.
4. Cut your entertainment expenses. We don’t realize how much money we are spending each month on entertainment until we start adding them up. A few night out with friends for dinner, drinks after work and it can easily start to add up fast. Why not invite friends for a home cook meal at your home. Not only would it be more cozier, it will give your friends a chance to relax in your natural surroundings. A home cook meal is easily far more affordable than going out to a restaurant for a meal.
5. Turn of your lights. We don’t realize how much we are spending on electricity in our home needlessly. Like most people we have a endless list of electrical appliances connected to the power outlet on standby, we have lights on in rooms where no one is even in them and this can amount to hundreds of dollars a year. Even if an electrical appliance is on standby it still is draining electricity all be it quite small but start adding up the number of appliances on draining a small amount and it starts to add up. Think about buying electrical surge boards with individual power on/off switches so that you can switch off an appliance that you aren’t using. Turn of your lights as you leave a room.
6. Drive slower. With the current high gas prices this is not the time to be a lead foot. Smooth acceleration and deceleration will not only reduce wear and tear on your car and therefore save on servicing but it will also reduce your cars consumption of gas/petrol. An even better solution is to try to find opportunities to walk to and from short trips instead of automatically jumping into your car, you’ll do wonders for your health and the environment.
With minor changes to your lifestyle and applying some of the tips above you can easily slash $1200 from your expenses each year. You’ll also find that your lifestyle won’t actually be affected all that much and you might even find that your changes will do you a world of good.
Terence Young – For more personal growth articles visit: personalgrowthunlimiteddotcom