Hands down my biggest money saver is preparing over 90% of meals at home. This involves making a weekly menu based on what is already available at home (freezer/pantry/fridge/garden) and what's on sale, shopping once a week, and going from there. This doesn't mean that I can't veer off menu if something comes up, but it does mean I have what I need to cook. For most of us, food is one of our biggest expenditures, but it is also one of the areas where we can save the most with very basic planning.
I try to save money through as many ways that I can. We are trying to put a lot extra towards our debt, and not take out loans for anything else, no matter what
Wow! I was one of these people as well, they sent me one without ever requesting it, so as long as I shred it and don't activate it, I'll be fine? Sorry if it's a basic question but I'm still new to this.
I've finally gotten into the habit of saving at least a little. It's tough since I'm also currently paying down debt, but I just remind myself that if I don't put some money aside I will fall back on credit card reliance and will never get out of the red. Focusing on the future and all the good things I'll be able to do with my money helps keep me motivated.
I have been pretty good about saving, but we had a car accident that really left us without money because we had to pay for a down payment and some bills. I am slowly getting back up on saving and I realized it can be gone in one second when an emergency hits.
If I need to purchase something I first try to find it used or borrow it from a friend or neighbor. I also check out estate sales.net to see if I can find items I need and purchase it used. I rarely purchase anything new.
Great article, Paul. Thanks for sharing these side-hustle tips. Do you know anything about some of the better side hustles out there? What about side hustles with the best ROI for my time? Love to hear your thoughts on those.
I'll be sharing your article on Twitter and Facebook.
I'm not sure what valid purpose an engagement ring serves. I refused one when I got engaged decades ago and I've never regretted the decision. If it's a form of bride price and a way of ensuring the man is serious about investing in the commitment, I would prefer investment grade gold coin, not jewelry.
Try hitting up the Google play store and downloading an app called "4g switcher" it allows you to manually change towers aground your area from MCDMA,CDMA,GSM,LTE And EVDO on the fly with combinations of each also. My service sucked where I'm at but 50 feet away from the house and great signal. It's a first resort for me and safest as they're is NO way to harm your phone by trying this. Next I'd say "weboost" or looking up the way HAM radios work so you understand SWR wavelengths and frequency before going all MacGyver on your phone. I rock the galaxy s7 and these guys are right about them being sensitive so be freaking CAREFUL when adding antennas. Hope it helps.... 73...
I do most of my spending on a credit card that earns points I can redeem for travel, making my fun time cheaper on occasion. I am not a big spender, so it's easy for me, even with a low salary, to purchase on my credit card and pay it off in full regularly (2-3x/month helps keep me on track and accountable to myself).
I always get 40 dollars cash on paydays and stash it away where I can get to it but not easily. This doesn't sound smart on the surface (no interest) but it guarantees I'll have cash on hand in an emergency and I'm not tempted to spend it (unlike extra cash I see in my accounts.
I also joined Digit (an app that saves money for you). I already have over a thousand in this account and I've never missed a dime.
Back when a store went out of business but I had ordered and paid for items that I didn't get, the credit card company reversed the charges so I didn't have to pay. Call them within the time limit they allow though.
Use coupons, you can print them on the internet, search google to find a place to print them or print some here refundsweepers.com which also has some printable coupons.
In the winter keep your thermostat turned down under 70 degrees, wear more clothes and you can keep it under 65 degrees like I do.
Get credit cards that pay you a cash rebate but have no annual fee.
Look for ways to save, save save. Keep to your saving goal like mentioned in the article and you can do it!
Tracking my spending. I've learned the hard way not to carry cash because it seems to flit away in little bits. Instead I have to use my debit card for everything and can then track all my receipts. Also, having to use my debit card for soda and a candy bar is annoying so I can generally talk myself out of the extraneous small purchases :0 But tracking all my receipts has helped me get an idea of how and where I'm spending and if a new habit is helping or hindering my spending.
I keep a budget and record all my expenses religiously. I brown bag lunch 4 times a week.I cook for the week during the weekend and eat dinner at home. Eating out is reserved for weekends, as a social activity. I do not own a car. I save over 50% of my income. I pay credit card balances in full. I do not like shopping, spas, pedicures or manicures and my only self care expense is haircuts. I love to travel and that is my annual "splurge".
Hands down my biggest money saver is preparing over 90% of meals at home. This involves making a weekly menu based on what is already available at home (freezer/pantry/fridge/garden) and what's on sale, shopping once a week, and going from there. This doesn't mean that I can't veer off menu if something comes up, but it does mean I have what I need to cook. For most of us, food is one of our biggest expenditures, but it is also one of the areas where we can save the most with very basic planning.
This is a great article, thank you!!
I try to save money through as many ways that I can. We are trying to put a lot extra towards our debt, and not take out loans for anything else, no matter what
Wow! I was one of these people as well, they sent me one without ever requesting it, so as long as I shred it and don't activate it, I'll be fine? Sorry if it's a basic question but I'm still new to this.
I've finally gotten into the habit of saving at least a little. It's tough since I'm also currently paying down debt, but I just remind myself that if I don't put some money aside I will fall back on credit card reliance and will never get out of the red. Focusing on the future and all the good things I'll be able to do with my money helps keep me motivated.
I have been pretty good about saving, but we had a car accident that really left us without money because we had to pay for a down payment and some bills. I am slowly getting back up on saving and I realized it can be gone in one second when an emergency hits.
If I need to purchase something I first try to find it used or borrow it from a friend or neighbor. I also check out estate sales.net to see if I can find items I need and purchase it used. I rarely purchase anything new.
Great article, Paul. Thanks for sharing these side-hustle tips. Do you know anything about some of the better side hustles out there? What about side hustles with the best ROI for my time? Love to hear your thoughts on those.
I'll be sharing your article on Twitter and Facebook.
Thanks,
Dave
I pay my bills on time
I'm not sure what valid purpose an engagement ring serves. I refused one when I got engaged decades ago and I've never regretted the decision. If it's a form of bride price and a way of ensuring the man is serious about investing in the commitment, I would prefer investment grade gold coin, not jewelry.
Try hitting up the Google play store and downloading an app called "4g switcher" it allows you to manually change towers aground your area from MCDMA,CDMA,GSM,LTE And EVDO on the fly with combinations of each also. My service sucked where I'm at but 50 feet away from the house and great signal. It's a first resort for me and safest as they're is NO way to harm your phone by trying this. Next I'd say "weboost" or looking up the way HAM radios work so you understand SWR wavelengths and frequency before going all MacGyver on your phone. I rock the galaxy s7 and these guys are right about them being sensitive so be freaking CAREFUL when adding antennas. Hope it helps.... 73...
Just got one today and landed here.. :)
I do most of my spending on a credit card that earns points I can redeem for travel, making my fun time cheaper on occasion. I am not a big spender, so it's easy for me, even with a low salary, to purchase on my credit card and pay it off in full regularly (2-3x/month helps keep me on track and accountable to myself).
This was a nice article, I enjoyed it. Thanks, Mary
I always get 40 dollars cash on paydays and stash it away where I can get to it but not easily. This doesn't sound smart on the surface (no interest) but it guarantees I'll have cash on hand in an emergency and I'm not tempted to spend it (unlike extra cash I see in my accounts.
I also joined Digit (an app that saves money for you). I already have over a thousand in this account and I've never missed a dime.
I make a budget and in turn, I'm trying to pay off my student loans by tightening up in other areas.
Same I can't seem to get any higher right now. Later on when I purchase my own car and pay mortgages will it go up.
Back when a store went out of business but I had ordered and paid for items that I didn't get, the credit card company reversed the charges so I didn't have to pay. Call them within the time limit they allow though.
Use coupons, you can print them on the internet, search google to find a place to print them or print some here refundsweepers.com which also has some printable coupons.
In the winter keep your thermostat turned down under 70 degrees, wear more clothes and you can keep it under 65 degrees like I do.
Get credit cards that pay you a cash rebate but have no annual fee.
Look for ways to save, save save. Keep to your saving goal like mentioned in the article and you can do it!
Great roundup - the Valentine's Day making bank was especially timely and useful.
Thanks for including me in the roundup!
Tracking my spending. I've learned the hard way not to carry cash because it seems to flit away in little bits. Instead I have to use my debit card for everything and can then track all my receipts. Also, having to use my debit card for soda and a candy bar is annoying so I can generally talk myself out of the extraneous small purchases :0 But tracking all my receipts has helped me get an idea of how and where I'm spending and if a new habit is helping or hindering my spending.
I keep a budget and record all my expenses religiously. I brown bag lunch 4 times a week.I cook for the week during the weekend and eat dinner at home. Eating out is reserved for weekends, as a social activity. I do not own a car. I save over 50% of my income. I pay credit card balances in full. I do not like shopping, spas, pedicures or manicures and my only self care expense is haircuts. I love to travel and that is my annual "splurge".
My good financial habits are budgeting and using coupons/sales to save money. It helps me have more than I otherwise would and avoid debt.
I cut out coupons, plan meals around the sale ads, and do the rewards cards to help save money.
I have some of my paycheck automatically withheld for retirement