Tips for saving money?

Question

I am trying to get on a budget, I need ideas for savig money, for example I now car pool to work every week. I eat out much less, started cooking my own meals. Dates, I go out early where lunch and movie prices are low...buy only at clearance.

....do you have any tips that may also help. Something I may have not thought of...thanks in advance for your help.

Answer 1

cheap/free dates can be really romantic some times.  You cook for her, take a walk in the park, go on a picnic, go to a local museum, visit a state park and enjoy their activities..........

Answer 2

Use a spreadsheet to plan out your budget and where your money should go and does go. Once it's on paper (or computer), it's far easier to limit yourself from overspending.

Answer 3

I am proud to help somebody like you because I know you are on the right track.  You are to be commended. KUDOS to you!  Each pay period, pay yourself FIRST, meaning open a savings account at a bank and put money in it every pay period.  As much as you can afford.  If you do not have a budget set one up.  Write down (or on your computer) EVERY outlay each day for everything you spend... keep track and if you do quit spending on things you want.  Buy ONLY what you need.  You will have loads of money before long.  That savings account will not be used except for a dire emergency..... Educate yourself by reading everything you do not understand and you will be a better person.  Work hard, take few breaks, smile a lot, find something to do when everybody else is not working.  Your employer will have their eye on you and you will come up roses.  God Bless !

Answer 4

Get the idea of budgeting out of your brain.  Budgeting is nothing, you can do that in your head.  The key is not to waste money, and that means you don't buy things you don't need.  You have the right idea.  Eating in restuarants is probably the biggest waste that most people engage in today as far as so-called day to day expenses go.  People eat out at a rate so high that previous generations would be absolutely appalled.  That should be rare.  You should have no magazine subscriptions (unless you just really really really want the magazine), no extras added on to your cell phone, absolutely no clothing buys unless there is a need, just that sort of thing.  Make sure your auto insurance has the highest deductible possible.  Term life insurance only, not WHOLE life, and no life insurance at all if you don't have a family of wife and/or kids.  Don't charge to credit cards, if you can't afford to buy it out of your checking account, you can't afford it.  You should have ZERO credit card debt.

Answer 5

umm put it in the bank...eventually you wont even know you have it. so when you need it it is there.

Answer 6

First of all, start treating your savings like a bill.  Go to your bank and set up a special bank account for savings.  A passbook account is good because you usually get a better interest rate and you can only access it over the counter -- good if you're easily tempted but too lazy to go to the bank.

Then, get your employer to pay part of your wage into that account each payday.  10% of your wage is a good start.  Since it happens automatically, you can't forget to save every payday.  You won't notice the difference after a few weeks.

Next, try buying everything you can in bulk.  I suggest looking at factory sales outlets and other places for cheap food.  Buy non perishables in bulk quantities -- you'll usually pay less per kilogram.

Make your own lunch and take it to work with you every day.  This will save you between $700 and $1000 a year.  I make meals and freeze them in plastic microwaveable containers, and reheat them at work.  It's cheaper than buying lunch and it takes hardly any effort at all.  Leftovers are great like this.

Inflate your car tyres to their safest maximum inflation.  It'll make for a rougher ride, but over a year you'll use less petrol.  Service your car regularly to keep it in good condition.  I'm a girl but I know how to change the oil in a car.

If you're going on a date, and it's someone you've been seeing for a while, there's nothing wrong with cooking them a nice meal and hiring a dvd.  Cheap things to do include walking through a well lit park at night, and having a cheap meal somewhere (check around for deals and specials).  Don't go to the movies.  A date is meant to be an opportunity to get to know someone, and you don't get to know someone when you're both watching a movie at the cinema, because you don't get to talk.  

Chances are a date will be something you'll have to budget for, by setting aside money from elsewhere in your budget.

Best wishes

Answer 7

You should read "Million Bucks by 30" by Alan Corey.

While living in New York City, the guy manages to have 65% of of $40,000 per year salary.

You can read the review here http://newmoola.com/?p=24

Answer 8

Buying groceries and cooking at home will make a noticeable difference along with packing a lunch for work.

Places like STARBUCKS can kill savings goals fast when you drop 3-5 bucks for that mocca latte special every day.

Car- check tire pressure often (at least once per wk) and maintain recommended pressures located on the drivers side door jam. SLOW down! I was a leadfoot until recently and by taking just a few extra min and driving 55 vs 70, I'm getting another 20 miles per tank.

Dates- If the girl is materialistic, you don't need her anyway. It's ok to pay for dinner once in a while, but keep it reasonable. No fancy wine or exotic dishes with 2 oz food that look pretty but cost $50.

My biggest recommendation to everyone? - LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS. Most people don't realize those fancy cars with the pimped rims on the roads are FINANCED, as in "if those people lost their job tomorrow their ride would get repo'ed." You can aspire to have wealth but don't get caught up in the game of people who show off what they want to afford (financed) versus what they can really afford. The wealthy don't stay that way by wasting money, and cars/boats are NOT investments no matter how cool/fun they appear.

Answer 9

First I always pay myself first out of my paycheck. That money goes straight to my savings acct.

I shop using coupons. I find them in the Sunday's paper (Smartsource and RedPlum inserts) and I use www.smartsource.com to print off coupons. Next I save them and match them to sales ads. I

I shop a lot at Walgreens or rather they pay for me to shop there. Stores like Walgreens, Target, RiteAid will take their store ad and a manuf cpn (like the ones you find on the internet or the newspaper.) I usually get my health & beauty products at Walgreens for next to nothing using the above method.

I eat healthy and limit excessive eating out. I also find inexpensive entertainment. Redbox movie rentals has a free code on Mondays. (Go to their website.)

I shop clothing sales or use store coupons. Sign up to their mailing lists and they will send you printable store coupons. (ie. Express sends them a lot)

See if your city offers the Entertainment book. You can find buy 1 get 1 free meals and entertainment such a mini golf etc in here.