Get the Most from Your Money - Make Sure Every Dime You Spend Buys A Quarter's Worth of Value
How far can your dollars go? The answer will be "not too far" if you overspend each month. With nothing to show for hard work, you may wonder if it is worth it. Learn to get the most from your money every time you spend a dollar.
Cutting costs is the best way to see how far a dollar can stretch. I am reminded of Ebenezer Scrooge in the Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol”. We won’t be miserly here, but we will pinch a few pennies. Don’t worry; it will only give slight discomfort. Here are some tips:
When it comes to groceries, everyone wants to get the most of their shopping dollars. Spend less and make more by purchasing common staples like flour, rice, pasta, and canned vegetables. Go to a butcher shop to buy meat. They are the experts on the best cuts for your money. Even in a regular grocery store, get a large piece of meat and have the butcher slice it into smaller cuts for you.
Use coupons whenever possible. You don’t need a newspaper subscription. Buy the Sunday paper each week and clip every coupon. Ones that you don’t need can be left in a bin at the store (if they participate) for other shoppers.
Don’t forget online coupons. They are free and can be downloaded weekly for extra savings. Combine coupons with discount store cards and shave as much as thirty or forty dollars off of your weekly food bill.
Let your home save you some money. Now may be the perfect time to refinance that mortgage and get a lower rate. Those with an adjustable rate mortgage can see if they qualify for a fixed rate loan. With a fixed rate, the amount of your mortgage won’t change again for the life of the loan. This is good news for your budget.
Do you shy away from discount stores? There is no need. Stores like the Dollar Store, Dollar General, and Big Lots! Offer quality products at a fraction of the cost. They even offer name brands. One way to spend less is to get all of your cleaning supplies and paper products from discount stores.
Save your change. Every penny counts. You’d be surprised how fast pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters can add up when you put your loose change in a jar each day. It cleans out your wallet and could get you a few hundred dollars out of the ritual.
Services like security companies and pest control usually bill on a quarterly basis. They come out once and treat your home. Most offer free calls at any time between scheduled visits. Make use of that perk. Call them out for a monthly check for ants, termites, and other pests. If you see ants in the kitchen don’t be afraid to give them a call.
Money goes further when spent wisely. Take advantage of all benefits of the services and fees that you pay.