Trying to stick to a budget?
Following the Dave Ramsey plan?
Just want more spending money?
Here are a few ways to cut costs day-to-day...
1. Phone plan- We recently cut our phone bill in half by switching to a different carrier. It is the SAME data plan for a whole lot less. Say what?
2. Car Insurance-check to be sure you are getting the best deal.
3. Bulk- I mean really bulk up. Like 25 pounds each of rice, beans, flour, oats, oil. It will cost pennies in the long run, compared to buying smaller portions at the store!
4. Lights- Don't turn them on. Okay, so you can use them, but utilize the beautiful sunshine whenever you are able. I have a habit of opening the blinds in the house as soon as I wake.
5. Walk- It's free and keeps you healthy. Obviously this isn't an option for everyone, depending on where you live. I live in a central location, so I can easily walk to the river, library, hills, zoo, & museums. Everything is within a few miles. And all that vitamin D, am I right?
6. Eating out- Just don't. Make yourself a fancy dinner, buy a bottle of wine, & make a homemade cherry pie. I promise, it will be cheaper. And you get the whole bottle of wine & pie, so there's that.
7. Say No- I get it. Shopping is fun. It's addictive. And it's better than eating a tub of ice cream on a bad day (maybe). Just say no to frivolous spending. It will save you tons! Every time you walk into that store & only get a clearance rack shirt for five dollars- you still spent five dollars. It adds up slowly, but surely.
8. Hobby- you need one. We all have one. Choose an inexpensive one, with little reoccurring cost if possible. For us, tennis is a favorite hobby. We aren't professionals, so a tennis racket each and a bag of tennis balls offers us unlimited amounts of fun in the sun. If you have a hobby like sewing or crocheting, look into selling what you make.
9. Meal plan- It's a real thing. You write down what you are going to eat for the week, go shopping for only the items needed from your list, and then make the meals from your meal plan. It will save any food from going bad thus ensuring a better bang for your buck.
10. Cut the Cable- Saved this one for last. A decade ago, I would've opposed hardcore. With many cheap monthly subscriptions, one can live without cable. I haven't had cable my entire marriage. Ever.
Hopefully these ideas will help you get your finances back to where you want them to be!
Following the Dave Ramsey plan?
Just want more spending money?
Here are a few ways to cut costs day-to-day...
1. Phone plan- We recently cut our phone bill in half by switching to a different carrier. It is the SAME data plan for a whole lot less. Say what?
2. Car Insurance-check to be sure you are getting the best deal.
3. Bulk- I mean really bulk up. Like 25 pounds each of rice, beans, flour, oats, oil. It will cost pennies in the long run, compared to buying smaller portions at the store!
4. Lights- Don't turn them on. Okay, so you can use them, but utilize the beautiful sunshine whenever you are able. I have a habit of opening the blinds in the house as soon as I wake.
5. Walk- It's free and keeps you healthy. Obviously this isn't an option for everyone, depending on where you live. I live in a central location, so I can easily walk to the river, library, hills, zoo, & museums. Everything is within a few miles. And all that vitamin D, am I right?
6. Eating out- Just don't. Make yourself a fancy dinner, buy a bottle of wine, & make a homemade cherry pie. I promise, it will be cheaper. And you get the whole bottle of wine & pie, so there's that.
7. Say No- I get it. Shopping is fun. It's addictive. And it's better than eating a tub of ice cream on a bad day (maybe). Just say no to frivolous spending. It will save you tons! Every time you walk into that store & only get a clearance rack shirt for five dollars- you still spent five dollars. It adds up slowly, but surely.
8. Hobby- you need one. We all have one. Choose an inexpensive one, with little reoccurring cost if possible. For us, tennis is a favorite hobby. We aren't professionals, so a tennis racket each and a bag of tennis balls offers us unlimited amounts of fun in the sun. If you have a hobby like sewing or crocheting, look into selling what you make.
9. Meal plan- It's a real thing. You write down what you are going to eat for the week, go shopping for only the items needed from your list, and then make the meals from your meal plan. It will save any food from going bad thus ensuring a better bang for your buck.
10. Cut the Cable- Saved this one for last. A decade ago, I would've opposed hardcore. With many cheap monthly subscriptions, one can live without cable. I haven't had cable my entire marriage. Ever.
Hopefully these ideas will help you get your finances back to where you want them to be!
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