Honestly if you asked most of my coworkers, my boyfriend, my family, or friends. They would tell you I manage my money well... but in all honesty I am looking for improvements. Just a couple days ago I started walking to work because it costs 2-4 dollars to park in the parking garage depending on the day of the week the weekends are cheaper. I do not have direct deposit because I like to deposit my checks one week later than I am paid so that I am always one week ahead of my finances. I am trying to come up with more ways to save money but I am drawing a lot of blanks. I was wondering if many people have tips on how they save throughout the week. I also tried this week to give myself an allowance of 65 dollars that I carried in cash so I would prohibit spending. I am going back to school this Fall and just had to upfront $4050 for that bill and have been planning a trip to Disney which I am still currently $1000 dollars short on. I know people have such creative tips for saving money and I want to know what you do. Please any and all tips are much appreciated.
Saving Tips? What do you do?
July 24th, 2011 at 12:57 am
July 24th, 2011 at 03:41 am 1311478875
I like to cook things that can be made into several meals. A roast chicken can be eaten one night and then strip the meat off the bones so the leftovers can be made into enchiladas, quesadillas, or as part of a casserole and then the carcass can be used to make chicken broth which can then be made to make soup or to cook egg noodles in. When I can get 3 or 4 meals out of one base protein item I feel like I am really doing well.
July 24th, 2011 at 05:33 am 1311485607
July 24th, 2011 at 01:34 pm 1311514464
Any possibility you could do without your car completely? Sell it and not need insurance, maintenance, gasoline? Instead give yourself a budget for taxis, car rentals, buses, rideshare?
July 24th, 2011 at 07:45 pm 1311536710
July 25th, 2011 at 03:54 am 1311566066
July 31st, 2011 at 09:52 pm 1312149156
I will second LuckyRobin's idea about making a roast and making a variety of meals out of it. Great idea. If you don't like roast beef, you could cook a ham, turkey, or chicken and make a variety of meals from those, too.
I will also second Tightwad Kitty's idea about bringing your own instant coffee (or tea bags if you prefer) and snack foods. I do that myself. I don't think most people realize that the soda, coffee, etc. that they buy may be only $1.00 in itself, but 1 cup added up over one month of workdays is about $20.00 or $240.00 a year. And some buy more than one cup of coffee or soda a day.
Other simple and relatively easy to implement savigns ideas include:
1) It sounds simple and a little too obvious, but pack your own lunch and bring it with you. Whether it is a tuna sandwich or leftover roast beef, it will likely be healthier and cheaper than anything you could buy to eat at your work place or nearby restaurant. If your workplace has a fridge and microwave, it expands your options on what you can bring. If not, maybe pack one of those freezer pak things to make sure everything stays cold.
2) If your grocery store or other store has a loyalty rewards program, join it. You might be able to load coupons or get special discounts. Couponing by cutting coupons out of the paper can take a lot of time and not save a lot of money, though. I only cut coupons for things I actually use or have been really wanting to try and I probably save around $20.00 a month with store sales and coupons. If you have time for couponing and it works for you, go for it and bank the savings.
3) Pay yourself first. Before you splurge money on new clothes or a meal out on payday, pay yourself first. You may already contribute to a retirement plan at work, but other options include IRA, Roth IRA, etc. Set aside money into savings for emergencies and maybe have separate accounts for vacations, downpayment on a home, car replacement, etc.
August 19th, 2011 at 05:34 pm 1313775254
Good luck!
Jerry